Day 27, New Town, ND - 71 miles

Another day filled with tailwinds.  I think they were gusting only to about 30 mph but given my average speed for a 71-mile ride was 17.7 mph, the wind speed was probably plenty. 

Today we were supposed to ride 76 miles from Williston to New Town, ND,  but in 2008 one of the largest deposits of oil ever found was discovered in North Dakota.  Since the discovery, oil wells of every size and description have sprung up all along our route.  With the wells, of course, come the trucks.  The roads are not meant to handle the weight, nor the size, of the trucks so not only are the roads in very poor condition, they have no shoulders and are very crowded.  As a consequence, the highway patrol has prohibited bicycles from traveling to New Town.  The solution today was for us to bike our 71 miles to Stanley, then all get in the van and get a 30 mile ride to New Town. Tomorrow we will shuttle back up to Stanley and start riding.

Also because of today's wind, once again Linda cannot cook.  It's off to the New Town Four Bears Casino Buffet for 28 hungry bikers.  I'm thinking I'd rather have Linda's salmon creation but we'll make due.