Sunday 8-5-07 Day 1 - To Velva 60.5 miles

Time-4 hr 38 min Max Speed-28.9 mph Ave Speed-13 mph Calories burned-2456

It was a pretty cloudy morning but not too windy. But before we even got into Garrison in the first 3 miles, I caused a small accident with Shiela. She was slowing down for the rumble strips before the stop sign and I wasn't paying attention to her-just adjusting my clips, and I bumped into her rear wheel. I managed to stay upright while trying to stop on the strips. But Sheila went down. I didn't even see her go down and she was on her bike and ready to ride before I got stopped. I was so embarrassed, but she insisted she was ok. (Later that evening we compared the bruises that developed on both of us - her more so than me) I skipped the breakfast they were serving downtown Garrison and just picked up an energy drink, some chocolate milk and some bars at the c-store along the way. I did notice right away how much faster I was able to ride on my new bike. My average speed was over 16 mph until the wind switched.

Little Flower Catholic Church rest stop

Some of the 'nuns' at the Little Flower rest stop - they used the bottoms of milk jugs to make their habits

Velva High School Cheerleaders - were kept very busy getting photos taken with the men cyclists

The last 25 miles or so we were riding into a headwind out of the NW. The sun came out just before we got to Velva. I stopped and ate at all the rest stops but was still pretty hungry when I arrived. So much so that I was getting dizzy while setting up my tent. The park was a little hilly, but Sheila & I managed to find a spot for the 4 of us (me, Deb, Dave & Sheila).

One of the old fire engines put into use as a shuttle for tired cyclists

PIE - YUM!

After a rather chilly shower at the portable showers, I took a shuttle on an old fire engine to the Senior Citizens Center downtown. All it took was a mention of homemade pie and my decision about where to eat was inevitable. It was so quiet and cool in there, I almost curled up on their couch and took a nap. I caught up with the others back at the park. They decided to get some lunch at Senior Center also. Sheila, Deb and I wandered around town and found this really cute little bead & gift shop. Later, I took a ride around the park in a horse and buggy set-up with Archie and listened to storied about out on the farm with horses.

Deb is relaxing and starting her candisc journal

Sheila is getting her road rash (I caused it) looked at by the local first aid nurse

The local entertainment - Sunrise Singers

We hung out at the park for awhile, Sheila and I looking for Rory to get my bike shifter adjusted. For the evening meal we took another shuttle out to the rodeo grounds for pitchfork steak fondue, sweet corn, ice cream and the 'showdeo'. It was nice watching the youngsters try so hard to make their horses take all the twists around the barrels in quick time without knocking any over. They were so little and nervous. I got a call from my friend Steve who lives up near Lake Metigoshe and generously offered to be my tour guide up there and give me a canoe ride. Sounds like fun. Very sleepy by the time the sun was going down.