Mishaps

First solo ride day in a while.  It was 77 miles and a bit of a tough one.

Joe, the camp cat, came around as Joe, the human, was getting ready to leave.  Neptune and I also saw Joe, the cat, before we left.  In typical cat fashion, he came over, walked under the RV and then left.  One of the other campers commented that Joe owns the park.  And he really does.  He’s a cool cat.

As our sister-in-law, Marlys, likes to say, “Today there was a mishap.”  Joe has been keeping an eye on his rear bike tire for the last couple rides.  The rear tire, which is tubeless, has lost its seal 4 times before today.  This was the 5^th time.  It’s been telling him to change it many times and he didn’t listen. His tire was not designed to be tubeless, but he made it that way.  Until today. Today he noticed that he wasn’t moving very fast downhill and found that he was going to need to do a repair and add some air.  He pulled into Valley City, ND where he met Scott, who works at A.P. Equipment, Inc in Valley City. Scott was kind enough to help Joe and get him back on the road again in no time.  He provided Joe enough air to reseal the back tire. Thank you Scott! Another good person we've had the pleasure to meet on this trip  

It is hot – 90s, and sunny.  The wind was no help for most of the day and the last 30 miles was really hard.  When the wind was finally at his back, he lost the natural fan and really felt the heat of the day.  He’s planning to add another water bottle going forward.

Tonight, we’re staying at the Governors’ RV Park in Casselton, ND.  There are also some tent campers here if you’re looking for a spot. The RV park is part of the Day’s Inn hotel so the shower is located in the pool locker rooms.  Bill- we finally have a pool.  We’ve ordered a pizza for dinner and are watching a replay of the Tour de France, because the Wi-Fi works great.  And Joe is fixing his tire and going back to a tubed tire. 

Planning an early night in North Dakota and travelling to Minnesota tomorrow.  It looks like cooler weather and there is some rain in the forecast.  Hopefully will finish the ride before the rain hits.