Day Five Statistics:

  • Elapsed Time (ET): 6:00:00
  • Distance (DST): 32.0 Miles
  • Average Speed (AVG): 8.5 MPH
  • Riding Time (RT): 3:53:53
  • Maximum Speed (MAX): 16.0 MPH
  • Odometer (ODO): 19,982.7 Miles
  • Temperature (Fahrenheit): 42-52
  • Wind Direction and Speed: South 15-30+

    •  

    Route: I-94, US 10, US 75

    Cities Traveled Through: Fargo, Moorhead, Wolverton

    Motel: Super 8 ($41.80)

    Comments: Today was probably the worst biking experience I've ever had. As I started out from West Fargo, I realized I would be facing an extremely strong wind as soon as I passed Moorhead and headed south on US Highway 75. I was certainly right about that. I was immediately struggling to get any speed. My speed often hovered around 7 or 8 MPH. My right knee also felt a strange pain that worsened with each pedal. To make things worse, the temperature slowly lowered and more clouds invaded the area. I knew there was a city in between Moorhead and Wahpeton, but I forgot to check the size of it before I left. I had no idea that I would need to stop there along the way. Unfortunately, I did. As soon as I neared Wolverton, rain emerged from the clouds. Since it was under 50 degrees, the rain can make you painfully cold. Nevertheless, I tried to continue on. The rain did too, and increased. Since I was wearing shorts, I began to feel extremely cold. I stopped alongside the road and dug out my jeans. I took my shoes off and traded soaky socks for warm jeans. The wind did not lessen. I was unsure of what I should do at this point. If I wasn't so cold, I knew I could make it to Wahpeton, but in these conditions I wasn't sure. I turned around and went back to Wolverton. I could not find any open businesses. Everything that was there was either out of business or closed. I didn't know what I should do. I went to someone's house and knocked on the door, but no one answered. I was thinking the weather might still improve, but it didn't. I looked for a couple of churches thinking they might be unlocked, but there was no luck. Eventually the sheriff met up with me since my dad contacted him through the highway department. He drove me to Wahpeton where I found a hotel. I am unsure if I can finish the trip by my deadline in early May. I may have to come back to this location and finish the trip at a later date. I might have a taxi take me back to Wolverton tomorrow if the weather is nice enough for me to have a good day. I still can't believe what I've gone through in the last three days.

     

     

    After a miserable, wet, and cold experience, I dried off and warmed up at the Wahpeton Super 8.

    Back