My dirtbag campsite selection needs some work: During the night I was awakened by a garbage truck emptying containers behind the strip mall building where I was hunkered down. At least is was quieter than a locomotive and shorter lived.
Bought 5th of Talisker for Bday. ND charges sales tax on top of retail price. Quality Scotch appears to cost the same or more everywhere.
Diesel down to $4.04.
Made Jamestown and searched out Pipestem trail. Took truck route in which distorted directions. Decided author meant Jamestown reservoir and drove to Wildlife bldg to ask trail instructions. I was told, wrong res dude.
Found XG just beyond Wildlife, hot water showers.
Drove to Pipestone Res, meant Bob Martin between his departures. He gave me a trail map and talked about trail. Said he heard it was 1 tough course. Right, I’m here in Flatland USA with no hills or rocks so how could this be tough?
Took off. First thing I mistook the start of the course and rode some of it backwards. Mowed Grass trail tread with some exposed dirt out in the open and some bare dirt in the trees. There is 1 hill side and the course made the most of it traversing up down and across it making the most of maybe a 70′ elevation change. 8 miles generated almost 1000′. Ornery designer stuck several 20% grade climbs. Non tech but way cardio. If you are passing thru and looking to stretch your legs, ride it. I learned that the trail area is about 1/2 mile wide by 1 mile long. Too bad you can’t see the GPS data from the ride.
Hit XG, manager let me play like I was never there for a free shower.
Met Ken Gardner, the care taker of the Pipestone course, and asked him about MN rides. He gave me Island Park Cyclery shop and told of the most fun ride in MN. I called the shop and learned it is Maplelag near Detroit Lakes. Destination for tomorrow and MN ride. Ken and I talked about the course, of course. Complimented him on how well laid out it is, he said tghat guy who designed it moved on. Rick V would appreciate the design.
Drove into Fargo, drove thru town, & found park along perhaps the Red River. Nice dirty brown. Looks like there was a recent flood. Remnants of either a cycle cross or mtn bike race in the park. Somebody designed what appears to have been a tight twisty course in the grass. Fixed dinner.
Left park after dark looking for a dirtbag spot as this one was right on the tracks again and beleived that it was closed after dark although I never saw a sign to that effect.
Found a spot in a dark office bldg parking lot. See how I sleep.
No pictures today. I wonder which visage is more difficult to get your mind around: A person from the mountains experiencing dead flat land or a flatlander getting up into the mountains? This land is so flat that if you emptied a bath tub of water on the ground, it would stay right there. Lawn billiards. Looking forward to a broken skyline.
