Medora, N.D. to Hebron to Bismarck

Wednesday, July 2 to Thursday, July 3

Westbound: Glendive to Medora Eastbound: Bismarck to Jamestown

July 2 and July 3: Medora to Bismarck

I slept in a bit and took my time packing. The left-over pizza was convenient and meant I didn’t have to leave the room for breakfast. Eventually, the road beckoned and I headed east from Medora. The trip back to the Interstate was simple and soon I was grinding up another modest hill. I was still refusing to attack the hills, continuing to prefer spending time to either risking knees or expending too much energy.

I reached Dickinson in time for lunch. At least at the interchange where I left the highway, Dickinson looks like so many other semi-suburban locales. I saw many of the standard fast food franchises and a modest mall. Had I been in search of scenery, I might have been annoyed. In search of lunch, I was happy to see Wendy’s not so very far ahead.

I had my Chilli with cheese, four hot sauce, and four crackers but added a large coke. I think it was 22 ounces. When it was most of the way down, a nice young lady in Wendy’s garb asked me if I would like a refill. I was startled. Still thirsty—it was a warm day with little shade—I replied yes. By the time I’d finished the second cup, I was sloshing pretty well and much happier to be riding a bike than walking a trail.

From Dickinson, the next 30 some miles to Hebron were closer to what I had expected in North Dakota. The land wasn’t really flat, but the hills were more like rollers than ravines. Being on the Interstate also helped.

Hebron, the Brick City, is a bit off the highway. The core industry is brick making based upon a local deposit of superior clay. The Brick City Motel is an older establishment on the old U.S. 10, now CR 139. When built, the motel was on the highway that bypassed the town by four blocks to the south. Now it’s outside downtown for no currently apparent reason. The owners are very nice and made me feel completely welcome with the bicycle. The also offered me a souvenir, minature brick by which to remember Hebron. In light of the density of brick, even a miniature brick seemed an extravagance to carry. It was, however, an attractive color.

I went into town and found a small restaurant that offered pasta and had the meal I should have had in Medora. On the way back to the motel, I stopped at the bridge over a small stream, got a cell phone signal, and called home for a bit. We chatted until the mosquitos encouraged me to settle in for the night.

From Hebron, the terrain continued to improve. I didn’t make great time but progress was steady. I stopped for lunch at combination truck stop convenience store that also offered small pizzas. Not exactly high fiber but tasty and full of energy.

The afternoon’s journey to Bismarck finally provided the kind of riding I expected in North Dakota. The land flattened out, the wind was gentle and from the west, and the riding was really nice. I still had a variety of speed bumps to negotiate but otherwise I was pleased.

I had identified a Motel 6 in Bismarck with what Yahoo’s Yellow Pages told me was a self service laundry facility nearby. After I checked in, I found that the motel—like most or maybe all Motel 6 locations—has a guest laundry inside. That was perfect. Having arrived well before 5, I was able to get my washing done, read some more, and then stroll over to the nearby restaurant.

I asked them to make me a super chef’s salad—time to get some fiber—and they responded nicely. While I was in the restaurant, the sky darkened and we experienced a very significant thunderstorm. It was spectacular and made me happy not to have been camping. Once the storm had passed to the north, I returned to the room and attacked accumulated email.

Since Circle, I’ve not done the mileage I would have hoped. It was about 50 to Glendive, 64 to Medora, 70 to Hebron, and only another 62 to Bismarck. That’s four days averaging in the 60s. Even with the heat, I could have done better if I had planned better and not invested the time on the phone with Qwest. It would have been better to reach Wibaux from Circle, next Dickinson, and then Bismarck. On the other hand, it’s been a bit of a rest and that’s not all bad.

Medora to Hebron: about 70 miles. The Cateye did not collect full information.

Hebron to Bismarck: 62 miles in 4:33 on the bike for an average of 13.6 mph.

Back up to Glendive to Fargo

Westbound: Glendive to Medora Eastbound: Bismarck to Jamestown