THE MIDDLE
Greetings from RUGBY, ND---which just happens to be the GEOGRAPHICAL CENTER OF NORTH AMERICA! There is an impressive stone monument with the US, MEXICO and CANADA flags flapping with gusto marking the spot. We had a gentle 67-mile ride here from Minot, where we rested yesterday and got our legs back under us. The previous two rides, from Williston to New Town, and on Saturday from New Town on to Minot can only be described as "heinous", which is just about my adjective of worst description. I checked just to be sure that it fit, and heinous is defined as wickedly reprehensible, abominable. That says most of it. The highlight, though, was a small diner in New Town called MOM'S CATERING, where the nicest couple made us Indian Tacos, and cleaned a picnic table in the shade for us to sit and enjoy our meal. Oh, and they had huckleberry shakes TOO!
Once we got to Minot, it was an easy decision to stay both Saturday and Sunday nights---we went to the movies TWICE, and recovered in style. The first motel we saw when we rolled into town was the DAYS INN, and I went directly to the lobby to try to check in, only to wind up too frustrated to stay. Just ahead of us, the rock band MOLLY HATCHET was checking in, with about 6 long-haired rockers hanging out in the lobby, discussing the evening's sound check at the ROCKIN THE HILLS concert, eating fast food and arguing over smoking v. non-smoking rooms. And, there was the issue of "payment", which they couldn't quite comprehend---"ask the Promoter". I waited it out for as long as I could, until one of the rockers took note of the bike and the gear and the frustration, and began asking repeatedly, "ARE WE HAVIN' FUN YET?". That has to be one of my least favorite expressions, and it was less than endearing when accompanied with a punch to my upper arm. Over and over. SO, I left---and we rode on to the NEXT motel, where a baseball team was checking in---the TETONS. They were more agreeable, and we were in the right spot for us.
On Friday afternoon, I stopped in the BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS office to talk about something, and I noticed they had a scale in the office. Although I had second thoughts, I decided to step on it. I figured that after about 1300 miles, many mountain passes, a continental divide crossing and a month of bike riding, I would have lost some weight. I figured that wrong. I have gained 5 pounds! I'm sure it isn't from lack of exercise, so I started thinking about what I've been eating.
Nutritionists say to "listen to your body" when it comes to eating, and I have dutifully been listening every morning at 10am when my body mentions that it would like to have two hostess chocolate cupcakes, with the white squiggly frosting on the top. I have been listening every time it asks for pancakes. In fact, one morning I was in a diner, and the menu was a little off from what I wanted. I wanted two pancakes and two eggs, but to get two pancakes, you had to get three eggs. It escalated like that all the way up the line. So, I asked the waitress how big the pancakes were---she was so nice, she said they could be any size. So, I ordered two eggs and one "generous" sized pancake. Kami shook her head, and asked for less. Within 15 seconds, the cook materialized with every round object from the kitchen AND his griddle, which was about 36" square and he said "Choose the size, Miss" and I chose the big plate in his hand. Then, I tried to eat it all. I think that's why when I get into the drops, my knees are hitting my stomach now.
SO, I'm laying off the hostess cupcakes, and I'm laying off the pancakes, and next time my body asks for an oreo blizzard I'm just going to have to screen the call.
Once we got to Minot, it was an easy decision to stay both Saturday and Sunday nights---we went to the movies TWICE, and recovered in style. The first motel we saw when we rolled into town was the DAYS INN, and I went directly to the lobby to try to check in, only to wind up too frustrated to stay. Just ahead of us, the rock band MOLLY HATCHET was checking in, with about 6 long-haired rockers hanging out in the lobby, discussing the evening's sound check at the ROCKIN THE HILLS concert, eating fast food and arguing over smoking v. non-smoking rooms. And, there was the issue of "payment", which they couldn't quite comprehend---"ask the Promoter". I waited it out for as long as I could, until one of the rockers took note of the bike and the gear and the frustration, and began asking repeatedly, "ARE WE HAVIN' FUN YET?". That has to be one of my least favorite expressions, and it was less than endearing when accompanied with a punch to my upper arm. Over and over. SO, I left---and we rode on to the NEXT motel, where a baseball team was checking in---the TETONS. They were more agreeable, and we were in the right spot for us.
On Friday afternoon, I stopped in the BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS office to talk about something, and I noticed they had a scale in the office. Although I had second thoughts, I decided to step on it. I figured that after about 1300 miles, many mountain passes, a continental divide crossing and a month of bike riding, I would have lost some weight. I figured that wrong. I have gained 5 pounds! I'm sure it isn't from lack of exercise, so I started thinking about what I've been eating.
Nutritionists say to "listen to your body" when it comes to eating, and I have dutifully been listening every morning at 10am when my body mentions that it would like to have two hostess chocolate cupcakes, with the white squiggly frosting on the top. I have been listening every time it asks for pancakes. In fact, one morning I was in a diner, and the menu was a little off from what I wanted. I wanted two pancakes and two eggs, but to get two pancakes, you had to get three eggs. It escalated like that all the way up the line. So, I asked the waitress how big the pancakes were---she was so nice, she said they could be any size. So, I ordered two eggs and one "generous" sized pancake. Kami shook her head, and asked for less. Within 15 seconds, the cook materialized with every round object from the kitchen AND his griddle, which was about 36" square and he said "Choose the size, Miss" and I chose the big plate in his hand. Then, I tried to eat it all. I think that's why when I get into the drops, my knees are hitting my stomach now.
SO, I'm laying off the hostess cupcakes, and I'm laying off the pancakes, and next time my body asks for an oreo blizzard I'm just going to have to screen the call.
posted by Laurel @ 6:29 PM
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