Day 1: Sunday

Woke: 4:45 A.M.
Depart: 5:30 A.M.
Time in Motion: 4:21:16
Distance: 75.38 mi.
Average: 17.3 mph.

I woke shortly after Jesse. It was cold and damp last night. I did not sleep well. After taking down our tent, Jesse hit the road. I rode to the Lake Road Restaurant for breakfast.

The first two people I saw were Ed & Vi of Seneca, Kansas! This is the third year they have ridden the same tour as I. We first met in 2001 on the CANDISC tour down to Mobridge, SD, and back. Then our paths crossed again in 2002 while riding the GRABAAWR tour through Wisconsin. This retired couple spends much of their summer participating in bicycle tours like CANDISC. I hope that when I am their age I can still do these rides. The three of us had breakfast together before braving the cool pre-sunrise temperatures along the road to Drake.

Five miles down the road, I caught up with Mark Zimmerman, a man I met several years ago on CANDISC and have seen around in Bismarck, the city where I live. We chatted as the sun crept above the horizon . Before long, I pulled away from Mark and continued on my way.

Somewhere near the town of Butte, I met Leonard, Les, and Dean; all of Bismarck. Leonard and I helped each other along by drafting a bit. Soon, we sped down a very steep hill. My computer told me I had hit 41.3 mph. Leonard struggled a bit to catch me after the downhill run. Eventually, he told me to go on ahead, so I did.

The last few miles were strangely tiring, and I was glad to arrive in Drake. The town did a good job of hosting us. My only complaint is that the luggage was in one huge pile. It took forever for us to find our luggage.

After a shower and the setup of camp, Jesse and I ate lunch at the Lutheran church . They served sub sandwiches, bars of all kinds, and lemonade. It was just like being at Grandma's house. The church ladies kept encouraging us to eat more and go back for seconds. It was delicious, and we enjoyed it.

After lunch, we checked out the museum. Some of the same "church ladies" from lunch were now working the museum. There were some interesting photos and I purchased several postcards. It's not every day you get a postcard from Drake, North Dakota.

This town has about 350 people, two or three bars, and no less than four churches. I feel safe here tonight.

Some snapshots of Drake:
CANDISC campsite:
C & J's Diner