Day 4
Distance: 112.32 Miles
Average: 13.2 mph
Time in motion: 8:27:48

The ride today was long - but very scenic. I started off at 5:00 a.m. or so, just after Jesse. Once again, I felt I was out too early. It was dark and there was truck traffic.

As I pedaled alone through the darkness I kept hoping nothing would jump out at me. I looked to the east, but it was only faintly lit. I noticed a small, blinking light miles ahead. Before long, I had caught up with Mark (can't recall his last name, but believe it starts with a C). He was stopped at a scenic outlook, digging out his rain poncho - placing it in a more accessible location. To the south, directly ahead of us, there was frequent heat lightning and an occasional bolt that lit up the otherwise dark sky. Mark and I rode together for miles. We discussed riding in the dark (merits and dangers), Jesse (everyone seems to know I tent with Jesse and are aware of his extreme determination and speed), Mark's friend, Dave, who was somewhere ahead of us, and pretty much anything else that came up. Last night, rumors circulated about a three-mile hill. After a long, fast descent into a frigid river valley and the crossing of a bridge (much less frightening than Four Bears, but no less scenic) we began the climb. It must have been the conversation, but we hardly noticed the long climb out of the valley.

As a result of our conversation, I failed to notice the entrance to the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. About seven miles later, I decided I had missed it when I came to road construction signs. These were clearly marked on my map as being after the park on the route. I decided to turn around and go back, knowing full well that I would have to climb the hill a second time later in the day. I left Mark and began my descent. It wasn't long before I realized that it was indeed a very long, steep hill. People stared, confused as I coasted by. After all, I was going the wrong way. I smiled at the bikers struggling up the hill, jokingly remarking at one time or another that "It's more fun going down!"

A photo of me, on my way back to the park's entrance:

As I continued on down the hill, I marveled at the amazing beauty that surrounded me. The morning sun, just risen, brought the buttes to life with bright color. It was quite a sight:

The park, when I finally arrived, was amazing. I snapped photos of rock formations, bison crossing the road just a few feet in front of me , and numerous grand, sweeping landscapes.

Petrified wood, North Unit of Nat'l Park:
Erosional Formation, North Unit of Nat'l Park:
Steep Climb along the park road:
Bison grazing, North Unit of Nat'l Park:

The road through the park was sort of a dead end. We pedaled fourteen miles in, turned around at a scenic outlook , and traveled the same road to leave the park. As I left the scenic outlook at the end of the park road, I was already hungry and tired. I just wanted to get the next rest stop A.S.A.P. At around 11:00 a.m., I began my second climb of the "Big Hill." Without Mark to chat with, the climb was long and difficult.

After conquering the hill, I finally came to the road construction marked on the trip sheets. The construction stretched for four miles, over most of which the road had been removed. Only packed dirt remained. Some people, mostly those with true road bikes, rode a shuttle past the construction. I considered it, but the line for the shuttle was rather long. I decided to ride my bike across. It was a very rough ride, but my bike survived.

I stopped in Grassy Butte, a microscopic town named after the massive grass-covered hills that surround it. The little town was surprisingly well equipped with two post offices (one operational), a bar, a gas station, and a city park. There were few actual houses or people to speak of. The most notable aspect of Grassy Butte was the old post office , built partly of sod. Constructed in 1914, the earth-covered log building has served several different purposes. Most notably, it served as the local post office for fifty years until its closing in 1968. Today, it operates as a local museum.

Museum entrance:
Museum Interior:

After leaving Grassy Butte, I rode as fast as I could toward Belfield, which was quite a distance away. I stopped at the Eagle View rest stop for lunch. This stop was very nice. I had a tasty sandwich on a home-baked bun. I believe that part of today's difficulty was that I did not eat enough food. The blazing hot sun likely drained some of my energy as well. I had sunscreen on, but still received quite a burn.

After reaching camp, resting, and showering at a gas station, I purchased a small stuffed bison. He is going to ride on the back of my bike pack the rest of the trip. I haven't named him yet, but Jesse suggests "Buffy." Last year I had "Candy," a small stuffed dog.

It was a very long day, but I am confident that I have taken some great pictures and have a good chance for some more tomorrow as we head to Medora and the South Unit of the park.