Day 16

 

Jamestown to Fargo, ND

106 miles / only about 1,400 feet of elevation!  WIDE OPEN ROADS!

 

Joe put together a reworked route that kept us off any major highways and the backroads and frontage roads he chose rivaled any ride we have had to date.  These roads were new, recently repaved and not trafficked. 

 

When we left just after sun-up, we had blue skies and wide-open roads.  Our early pace was brisk and we were quickly in and amongst “windmill” farms, which we enjoyed for many miles.  As we rode, with no traffic, we heard the gentle “whooshing” from the 120’ blades on these 150’ wind turbines.  At times the turbines stretched as far as the eye could see to the horizon. 

After riding through these windmill farms, the countryside (still with no traffic) gave way to corn crops, some flower and soybean crops – all ready for the upcoming harvest. 

These wonderful views, along with the beautiful weather and riding conditions, made for a perfect day of riding.  The new, well-maintained farm and fronted roads we were riding on were so soft that we renamed some of the roads; Tempur-Pedic, Sealy Posturepedic and Sleep Number!  Riding on these roads was like riding on mattresses!

At mid-point in today’s ride, Joe asked me, “Do you think anyone lives in this state because we haven’t seen any traffic in 90 minutes?”  People do live here and they are the nicest folks we have come across – all waved or waved back at us.  If you are looking for a great place to ride, go to North Dakota, the back roads for riding and the people who live here are both wonderful!