Plover, WI (2)

Well, we have been back long enough that I think that I need to post a final update.

The overwhelming feeling that I have about the ride has nothing to do with pedaling, the bike, the climbs, etc. You may have already figured out from my previous posts that I was overwhelmed by how good the people that we encountered were. This is a great continent to live in. I would have normally said country, but the people in Ontario were outstanding.

I had to include a Best Of / Worst Of list, so here it is:

Best roads: (tie)
Wisconsin for the incredible network of county roads, making it very easy to get almost anywhere on scenic, lightly travelled roads.

North Dakota for the wonderful paved shoulders on large and small roads.

Worst roads: Vermont. The shoulders were crumbling or nonexistant on many roads. In addition, 3/4 of the lane was gone on several segments of State Road 125, which was the busy road leading to Middlebury Gap. Chip told me that before he got there, the rain had washed the entire road away. It sounds like he diverted onto some roads which were much nicer.

Best drivers: North Dakota, although all of the states from Wisconsin west could have won this one. In North Dakota, we had very few rude drivers, and actually had some people pull up along side of us and ask where we were riding.

Worst drivers: Vermont. This wasn't even close. Vermont had by far the highest percentage of aggressive, rude, and downright threatening drivers of anywhere we rode. In fact, the only driver who was threatening in Maine ( a red Toyota) had Vermont plates.

Best bike trails: Minnesota. This one wasn't close. Minnesota has an amazing network of paved bike trails throughout the state. We rode the Central Lakes and Lake Wobegon trails for 105 miles of cycling bliss.

Worst trail: Ontario. The Niagra Recreational Trail was horrible, winding through people's driveways, gravel segments, abrupt gaps in the trail, etc. After 12 or 13 miles and a flat tire, we finally abandoned the trail and rode on the road. We should have done this sooner.

Nicest people: North Dakota, although like the drivers, this could have gone to Ontario or any state west of Michigan. For a good example of what people were like in North Dakota, see my story of Butch in Goodrich ND in my post from Fargo. People here were amazing.

Unfriendliest people: Vermont. Actually, most people here were pleasant, but disinterested. My experiences with the drivers probably prejudiced me, but the people here were just not as friendly as anywhere else on the trip.

Most spectacular scenery: The Cascade mountains. We had great weather here, so we had a great view of the Cascades, but they were beautiful beyond description. The Cascades were named for the innumerable waterfalls (cascades), and the name is apt. The mountain streams and waterfalls were fantastic.

Most boring scenery: I can't honestly say that we found any. The closest would be New York along the Erie Canal, but this was pretty in its own way.

Most surprising scenery: North Dakota. We had all been told that ND is very long and BORING, and that you just tried to survive the monotony. NOT TRUE. We got off of the major highways and onto back roads, but the part of ND that we saw was beautiful. I was quite surprised to see all of the White Pelicans in eastern ND. Anything but boring.

Best food: Washington. We stumbled into some great places to eat in Washington, such as the restaurant on Whidby Island before we left and the brewpub in Twisp.

Worst food: The food was good everywhere.

Best beer: Montana. There are LOTS of great local and regional brews in Montana (look for Moose Drool in your local store).

Worst beer: North Dakota. Due to state laws, it is very difficult to buy beer in ND and you have to go through state licensed stores. As a result, the selection was pathetic.

Best dog: Kelly the Irish Setter in Fairhaven New York. Hands down. Kelly was a great dog.

Worst dogs: The pair of Pit Bulls that chased Pat in eastern New York.

I have to correct something from eastern Montana. I saw a Prarie Falcon, not a Merlin. Sorry for the mistake. I realized my mistake when I consulted my field guide when we got home.

If I think of anything else, I may put up an additional post. Hopefully Bill will get a chance to do one more.

Remember, if you want to contribute to the Lance Armstrong Foundation, follow this link:

https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=158934&supid=193018522

Dave Henneghan