Date: Thu, 09 Aug 2007 17:07:59 -0500

Subject: Mini CANDISC report

We're in Rugby after five days of biking, with 280 miles down and 130 to go.

(I may get kicked off this library computer at any time so if there's an

abrupt ending...) It's been going well, with the major "incident" being that

Dad's a-fib kicked in Tues night while we were camped at Lake Metigoshe State

Park. What to do? In short, he sagged with the hopes that it'd convert, and

I pedalled the tandem east, through the Peace Gardens, and on to Rolla for a

fifty mile solo jaunt. It went quite well. The bike handled well, albeit

being heavier than a single. The worst was all the comments--perhaps three

dozen or more and everyone thought theirs was the first? The best was "Sooo,

you and your dad had a fight?"

His heart converted last evening and he was back in the saddle this morning

for our 56 mile ride.

Weather: First day of sunshine was/is today during the ride. Tuesday was a

bit of a disappointment as it was a 70 mile ride from Towner to Lake M, but

all but the last 10 miles or so was in fog/heavy clouds. We started out with

a visibility of a couple hundred yards. We never saw the Turtle Mtns until

we started climbing them (~700 ft elevation gain). At the top, we got into

sunshine for the rest of the day. We've ridden in some light rain, and had

a stretch or two of stiff headwinds, but nothing above and beyond ND's usual.

I think I heard there are about 425 cyclists--some familiar faces, and several

new acquaintances, and many we probably just don't cross paths with. I've

actually taken a few pictures this year, which is a first while having a

camera along. :-)

Tomorrow we bike south and west to Butte, a small town of about 80-90. The

day will be the longest trek of the week at 80 miles. Saturday we head

mostly west back to the start, a distance of 50 miles. Tomorrow's wind

looks like 15-20 from the east--a side and tail (!!!!) wind, and Saturday

we're supposed to have a northwest wind.

Food: Steak, tacos, roast beef sandwiches, ham sandwiches, and tonight

stuff off the grill--burgers, brats, etc.--along with German potato(e)

salad, etc. My favorite meal though was in a busy little cafe in Towner

where we sat at the counter as the tables were full. We got in on the

interaction with the kitchen and waiters, etc., two of the latter being the

brother and niece of the owner. They'd gotten roped into it and we got in

a little visiting and banter with them while we waited for our food. We've

since hung out a bit together. Their home is Rugby, and the daughter is

done for the week as she heads off to college tomorrow.

Gotta go. The general "CANDISC leg deterioration" is affecting both of us

and it looks like we have a few hills tomorrow. Saturday's should be a

little easier (if the wind doesn't pick up too much).

Jeff

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