I did not make much progress today. Got up and rode into stiff headwinds into Fargo. Purchased two new specialized touring tires. They look like good tires so hopefully they will get me the rest of the way to Maine. Stayed at the bike shop a while and caught up some emails.
I continued riding into mild headwinds in the afternoon. Saw more miles of corn, wheat, soy beans, and potatoes. I never saw farm fields so big before. Progress is pretty slow into the headwinds. 7 to 10 miles an hour most of the time depending on the road conditions and wind.
About 7 pm I was riding toward a small town a couple of miles southeast of Barnesville and I was a little confused whether I was on the right highway or not. I saw a man (Jason Messer) riding his bike toward me so I stopped him to ask for directions and we talked for a few minutes and then he invited me to spend the night at his house. I was only planning on riding another 12 miles because the day had not gone too well and it was getting late so I took him up on his offer. I could not believe he invited me to his home. I thought that was very very kind of him and his understanding wife Chris.
Anyway, I went to their home and got a nice shower, did all my laundry, got some fresh homemade cookies and milk and a very comfortable bed to sleep in and a great breakfast in the morning. What a very nice family. Jason, Chris, Megan, Savannah, and little Jensen and their dog Windsor. It was very nice to sleep in a real bed again. I appreciated their kindness very much. Thank you to the Messers in Barnesville, MN.
I am continuing to ride east and will ride on a bike trail from Fergus Falls for 50 miles or so southeast.Things are going fine and I smell better today.
Later,
Dan
Wow -- how fun and special gratitude to a family that doesn't even know us and took our weird brother in for a night! Thank you from Dan's family too! It is nice to know there are still people out there that are trusting , caring, and giving. We're still praying for you Daniel. We are also talking about how crazy you are -- and most importantly laughing our behinds off at your stories and lessons learned!
ReplyDeleteLove ya
Nina (one of Daniels many, many sisters)
Dan,
ReplyDeleteThe shower and soft bed might have hit the spot, but the pleasure was all ours. It's a rare occation to meet a man of such determination and accomplishment, much less have the opportunity to hear such great stories over cookies and milk in our own home. The kids got the biggest kick out of having you over and have been telling everyone they meet about Dan, "this guy pedaling across America!" Best of luck.
Keep the rubber on the road & hammer down
Jason Messer
P.S. Drop me an email some time, I found the helmet adapter for the Look mirror online.