July 12 Fargo, North Dakota in the Summertime

Saturday, July 12 we rode 53 miles to Fargo and averaged 18 mph.

Our first task in this, the largest city we have ridden through to date, was to locate a bike shop and replace my five-year-old rear derailer ( and the freewheel I purchased in May, as it turned out). The guys at Paramount Sports were very helpful and after a quick phone consult with Tom the Mechanic at Kentwood Cycling back in Grand Rapids, my drivetrain was shifting smoothly and ready to ride.

Updates on this may come later this week if we have not cleared up the problem (that being very rough shifting of my rear derailer). An inventory of the bike would show that since I purchased it from Dirk Ailts sometime early in the Clinton Administration, I have replaced every part of the bike at least once. The exceptions are:
The frame
The handlebars
The brake calipers & pads
The front forks (I don't know why they are the 'front' forks, there are no 'back' forks)

The old bike does continue to perform admirably, as does the old body.

While in Fargo, we have been hosted by YFC Fargo, directed by Dennis Jensen. Dennis started with YFC in the Thumb of Michigan, the same place I did. He ministered there under the leadership of Ray Clendenan, my first Executive Director, for 4 years, a few years ahead of me. He moved back to his home area of North Dakota and had been serving the Lord through YFC here since then. He treated our team and several community guests to a chicken barbecue (he raised himself) and home made ice cream with Colorado peaches. It was great! It was fun to see him again and chat about places and people we have in common. Thanks Dennis & Staff for taking such great care of us.

On Monday morning we will ride in Minnesota for the first time, adding to the 1765 miles already completed. We have ridden through 4 states & moved on to Section 5 of the Adventure Cycling Maps provided for us.