May 22, 2007

- Staying organized - - Church first thing every morning! -

May 22, 2007 Pick City – Bismarck

Yup, North Dakota folks. Long, stretchy, and flat. But she’s real perty in these here parts. The riders are quiet now, with their heads hung low, enjoying the peace and the gentle winds. Long, bladey grass tells the tale of accommodating tail winds.

The guys rode another 88 miles today in the dreary but comfortable weather. It’s a great road

to cycle with hardly a car in sight for the first 20 miles. Green pastures for miles…baaa-aaaa! Mooooo!
This stretch of the Missouri River is gorgeous and lush. It makes us wonder what it was like in 1804 when the Lewis and Clark expedition came through. The guys had a lunch stop of the Interpretive center of Lewis and Clark before their last stretch into Bismarck. Along that road, the team met up with Angela from KFYR TV crew for an interview and some footage.

In Bismarck, we take advantage of the city life and visit the Epic Sports bike shop for a wheel repair and a swag box from the THF. Thanks Dierdre!!! And thanks to the Best Western for sponsoring an evening in their hotel.

May 21

May 21, 2007

Parshall to Pick City - 88 miles

Just another leisurely 88 miles within the grass lands of the Dakota’s. Today Grey Davis has retired his position as support driver, personal motivator, nutritionist, cook, and keeper of man in general, to head back to Sandpoint on the train. It is good for me (Cassandra) to be back with the team again and to be around such inspiration. “These are my people…” was a great song to blare through the van windows this morning for the riders. “ It ain’t always pretty, but it’s real.” Well, ain’t that the truth!

The boys are taking it easy today – so they say – in order for Dick to bounce back from his ‘against the wind’ episode yesterday. The winds are easier on them and the tornado coming through North Dakota this evening should push them along nicely:) The duo take turns leading every two miles and take a slower pace. After lunch, energy is draining more quickly than it can be replenished but to my surprise, Dick comes back with “WE GOT POWER”! – Must have caught a piece of tailwind in our eastward ways.

Following the Lewis and Clark Trail still, we pass over Lake Sakakawea and will stay in Pickstown, ND on the lake. Thank you to Debbie at the Sakakawea Motel for sponsoring a night at her lovely little place.

As we near the end of the day, the meadow larks song was soon tuned out by the rumbling of thunder- yet somehow still a peaceful noise in the distance- and the riders are happy to make it to shelter before the lightning strikes. (see photo)

…a beautiful ride today, to say the least…

A note from Dick

Hi Everyone,
We are about to head out for what appears to be a day of "riding in the rain". No complaints. The weather has been good to us so far. Grey, our driver for 11 days, has left us. He was an awesome support. Fortunatly he has been replaced by Cassandra who is also a great source of help and strength for us. I am finding this journey as challenging mentally as it is physically. We finish every ride tired in the head and heart as well as the legs. This is nothing like what those with MS face everyday, but it gives me a slight insight into their mental as well as physical challenges. We look forward to every day. Now I hand our thoughts off to Cassandra who will fill in the details. I miss family and friends at home.