We spent last weekend in my hometown of Fargo, ND. It hosted a relatively new, but growing marathon. I don't do 26.2 miles unless I'm pedalling, but when I heard that some family members were walking in the 5k, and others from IA and MI running the half marathon, I thought it would be good to see everyone. Mini family reunion. Added bonus: the weather was really cold and grey (it is North Dakota) so I was asked to spend some time with my great-nieces, 25 months and 16 months.
As we drove through South Dakota, which makes up almost half the trip from KC to Fargo, I thought back to the first organized tour I did. In 2006 I joined my brother-in-law for the 2nd annual Tour de Kota. The route that year started in Yankton and ended in Milbank. Along the way it criss-crossed I-29 several times. Several of the small towns we camped in had names I recognized from exit signs along the interstate I had travelled dozens of times.
We got to ride in a horse drawn wagon, eat spaghetti at the church, and sit in the city park listening to a guy with a very Scandinavian name signing some pretty good blues. We enjoyed the hospitality of people who live in small towns that they are very proud of, and we understood why. A tour of 500 riders coming to some of these towns is a big deal. As we rode into Milbank drivers were honking and waving support for our finish.
Now, every time I drive on that boring stretch of highway, it's a little less boring because of the memories from a week on a bike 3 years ago. Just one of many benefits of being a cyclist.
I have yet to do a tour like that, but I sure want to. Sounds like fun. I put serious thought into one in ND. It went up along the Red River...I think...and the price was reasonable, but taking a week of vacation plays a role.
ReplyDeleteI grew up on the east side of SD (Brookings, Sioux Falls, Estelline) -- lots of good memories there. I've often though to the Tour de Kota, but it hasn't fallen on the right days yet!
ReplyDeleteI looked back in my junk, found the brochure and it is the CANDISC that I pondered riding. Some of it went along the Missouri river that year.
ReplyDeleteI think I saw the route for that year too. Up along the river into Montana, and back down on the other side of the river. That would be a scenic ride!
ReplyDeleteI had much the same experience going through Kansas to Colorado in March. Several exits marked with names of small towns we visited during the two BAK's I rode. Good memories!
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