winds straight out of the west. The winds were so strong that I
altered my plans more than once. Basically, the only possible
direction of travel was east. After camping near Lake Sakakawea at Van
Hook, I planned to head for Minot and take a day of rest. The route
was simple: 50 miles east, 16 miles north. Well, the first part was
easy, I coasted at 20 mph for most of that. When it came time to hang
a left on US 83, though, the North Dakota wind told me firmly that I
wasn't going that way. I tried, but with gusts up to 50 mph, it was
impossible to keep that loaded bike on the road. So, east it was, by
any means necessary.
ND Hwy 23 came to an end eventually, though, and I had three choices:
north, south, or straight across on some eastbound prairie trail
pictured here. This is one of the more manicured sections, but some of
that 5 miles was a pretty wild ride. I feel like I tested the off-road
limits of the Champagne Trucker that day.
All told, 126 miles on Friday and 100 miles Saturday puts me in
Cooperstown, where a street dance happened last night. The loud rock
cover band was well received and the pork sandwiches were excellent.
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