Day 35 - Glen Ullin, ND to Bismarck, ND

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Stats: 

Today's miles: 62.0 miles
Today's feet of elevation gain: 1,667 feet
Total miles traveled: 1,483.7 miles
Total feet climbed: 50,609 feet
Dead Rattlesnake count: 31


The ride from Glen Ullin was pretty unremarkable. I stopped in New Salem for a mid-morning break and sat with the ‘coffee regulars’. They talked about ranching and farming in the area and were curious why anyone in their right mind would ride a bike across the country. They did however offer to strap one of their buddies on a bike if I would take him with me. All kidding aside, they were a good group and gave me a breakfast donut before taking off (“you’re going to need this…”).


The ride from Glen Ullin highlighted the reason that I chose to ride from Glendive all the way across North Dakota on I94. Glen Ullin is about 6 mi off I94 and is on the ‘official’ Old Highway 10 route. So, I thought I’d try the route and see what it was like. The road was a typical rural highway with no shoulder, but pretty low traffic levels (mostly grain trucks ☹️). In the distance I could see a couple ridges the highway crossed (climbs & descents), but the kicker came when I rounded the curve and the sign said “Pavement Ends”! I backtracked a couple miles and took the cut-over to I94 and committed to stay on it the rest of the way. People cringe when I tell them I rode the freeway, but there are really sound reasons for doing it: 1) an 8’ wide, smooth, paved shoulder, 2) all traffic in one direction with 2 lanes, and 3) well planned and constructed routes that minimize grade changes and slopes. The traffic levels were moderate and with the exception of cattle haulers (perhaps making sure I got the full effect), trucks and most vehicles shifted to the left lane when passing me.


Coming into Bismarck in the late afternoon, I had a truck & utility trailer quickly pull onto the shoulder and stop. These always make me nervous, even just from a road hazard perspective. When I pulled up behind, an older gentleman hopped out and started asking about my trip, where I’m headed,…etc. Turns out he and his wife were/are avid cyclists and until recent health issues were active Warm Showers hosts. (Warm Showers is a network of cycle friendly hosts who offer a room, hot shower and often a meal to cyclists at no charge)

Bob gave me his number and asked that I call when I got to Bismarck. I was welcomed to stay with them for the night. It was a really nice offer and one that I would have liked to taken him up on, but I already had a reservation that couldn’t be cancelled.

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