Flat as a pancake and somebody buys me lunch

17th July: Roseau to Baudette

Odometer: 107 km, Start: 9.30am, Finish: 4.00pm, Avg: 20.6 km/h,
Weather: Sunny after early dark clouds, SE wind, Temp: 18-27°C
Mosquito Bites: 73, Hills walked: 0
Road Conditions: #CR-2 <1m shoulder, deserted, good road surface most of time. #11 to Baudette, <1m shoulder, light traffic, reasonable road surface. Cafe at Roosevelt (65km). Ascent: 40m/40m!

Today’s ride was the flattest yet and it made my bottom hurt. I’ve got a Brooks saddle which does a good job in allowing me to ride day after day without any issues, but even my Brooks couldn’t protect me from the flatness around here.

Dark clouds early on but I escape the showers again

Hope Church

I spent most of the day on a little “county road” – CR-2. It was an excellent small two lane highway with a good surface and best of all it was completely deserted. Hardly a car passed me. About half way, I stopped and eat a sandwich and heard… absolutely nothing… well, apart from the birds and the fields rustling gently in the breeze.

Nice painted barn

Lots of beehives by the side of the road today

I hit the main road again near Roosevelt and soon arrived at a roadside cafe. I was quite lucky as the place had limited opening hours and was soon closing at 2pm. I didn’t fancy a meal, so I had some oatmeal and toast and chatted to a local couple. They were clearly impressed with my travel tales because when I got up to pay, the waitress said the couple had secretly taken care of my bill!

A new roadside flower

As already mentioned the flat roads took their toll today along with a light but persistent headwind. I was a bit grumpy when I reached Baudette (which is only a km from the US/CAN border). I can’t complain, I’m still well up in the tailwind v. headwind stakes, but it still hurts pushing the wind all day.

That's what I've got tonight...