Starting from Fargo and driving clear across North Dakota, I had little to prepare me for what awaited on the western edge of the state. But would I see the bison that I low key really wanted to see, and would some discovered damage on the Brompton scuttle the bikey part of this bike adjacent adventure?
Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 383: NoDak Northern Tier Adventure Part 2.
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Housekeeping
We’re shifting the schedule around a bit here as we close out the year… we’re going to delay the final best of for 2024 so we can go straight through to finish the NoDak Adventure with no interruptions. But also…
Live Show! Friday December 6 at 9pm ET/6pm PT – topics TBA, and of course it’ll be the pod for the following week if you can’t make it live. Links and more at pedalshift.net/live.
Best of will be the week of the 19th, then you Shifty the Elf fans? The Holiday Spectacular returns Dec 26th to close out the year!
NoDak Northern Tier Adventure Part 2
Driving North Dakota Adventures
– Reflections on the landscape: vastness, agriculture, and wildlife sightings along the drive
– Observations on North Dakota’s scenic beauty, especially during fall
– Jamestown Buffalo Museum mention and the fascination with the changing golden hues of the farmlands
Arrival in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
– Excitement for the park’s wilderness, iconic buffalo herd, and camping at Cottonwood Campground
– Insight into campground conditions: first-come, first-served, no water or services, and gear preparations
– Planning for a night in the chilly North Dakota weather
Camping and Wildlife Encounters
– Capturing buffalo sightings, exploring the park, and photographing the scenic Badlands
– Cycling experiences within the campground and nearby closed loops, including brief cycling issues
– Observations on the local flora, geology, and prairie dog sightings
Unexpected Gear Lessons and Camping Essentials
– Discussing travel gear logistics: food, fuel, and camping supplies for a no-service campground
– Bike challenges: saddle issues and minor damages to bike parts during transport
– Lessons learned for future trips, particularly with bike handling and protection
Biking and Buffalo Close Encounters
– Memorable encounters with buffalo while biking, and the unique thrill of seeing them up close
– Reflection on safety tips and maintaining distance with wildlife while biking
– Experience of witnessing prairie dogs and other local fauna in their natural habitat
Wrapping up the Day and Reflections
– Preparing for a chilly night with layered gear and warming up with hot food and drinks
– Reflections on the uniqueness of North Dakota’s landscapes and the satisfaction of fully exploring the area
– Plans for a cold morning bike ride, additional wildlife sightings, and beginning the drive back to Fargo
Statisitics
Miles driven 333
Bison sightings 1 herd, 1 lone, um, wolf
Bashed Brompton rack tires 1
Impending temperature drop – 34 degrees F, 19 degrees C
Lighters forgotten, and subsequently purchased 1
Flats 0
As always we like to close out the show with a special shoutout to the Pedalshift Society! Because of support from listeners like you, Pedalshift is a weekly bicycle touring podcast with a global community, expanding into live shows and covering new tours like this summer’s upcoming bike tour! If you like what you hear, you can support the show for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or even a buck a month. And there’s one-shot and annual options if you’re not into the small monthly thing. Check it all out at pedalshift.net/society.
Kimberly Wilson
Caleb Jenkinson
Cameron Lien
Andrew MacGregor
Michael Hart
Keith Nagel
Brock Dittus
Thomas Skadow
Marco Lo
Terrance Manson
Harry Telgadas
Chris Barron
Mark Van Raam
Brad Hipwell
Mr. T
Nathan Poulton
Stephen Dickerson
Vince LoGreco
Cody Floerchinger
Tom Benenati
Greg Braithwaite
Sandy Pizzio
Jeff Muster
Seth Pollack
Joseph Quinn
Drue Porter
Byron Paterson
Joachim Raber
Ray Jackson
Jeff Frey
Kenny Mikey
Lisa Hart
John Denkler
Steve Hankel
Miguel Quinones
Alejandro Avilés-Reyes
Keith Spangler
Greg Towner
Dan Gebhart, RIP
Jody Dzuranin
Lucas Barwick
Michael Baker
Brian Bechtol
Reinhart Bigl
Greg Middlemis
Connie Moore
William Gothmann
Brian Benton
Joan Churchill
Mike Bender
Rick Weinberg
Billy Crafton
Gary Matushak
Greg L’Etoile-Lopes
James Sloan
Jonathan Dillard
John Funk
Tom Bilcze
Ronald Piroli
Dave Roll
Brian Hafner
Misha LeBlanc
Ari Messinger
David Gratke
Todd Groesbeck
Wally Estrella
Sue Reinert
John Leko
Stephen Granata
Phillip Mueller
Robert Lackey
Dominic Carol
Jacqi McCulloch
John Hickman
Carl Presseault
David Neves
Patty Louise
Terry Fitzgerald
Peter Steinmetz
Timothy Fitzpatrick
Michael Liszewski
Hank O’Donnell
David Zanoni
David Weil
Matthew Sponseller
Chad Reno
Spartan Dale
Carolyn Ferguson
Peggy Littlefield
Lauren Allansmith
Eric Burns
Thomas Pearl
Darrin McKibben
Richard Stewart
Dave Fletcher
Jack Smith
Luke Parkinson
Ryan Patterson
Cyrus Farivar
John Gardiner
Sam Scruggs
Music
You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new solo album available NOW. Go listen to COMMON TONGUES wherever cool music is available!