New Town/ Stanley to Minot, ND

Miles 53.3
Ride time 2:34
Elevation gain 826'
This morning we were shuttled by the van out New Town to Stanley, back to Highway 2. We had to be shuttled out in two groups. We ended up leaving around 8:30 or so. We went back out 23 and CR 8 and all of us were really glad not to have to ride out on a bike. We had a semi in front of us and we could see how narrow it was when another one was coming in the other direction. I am glad we all made it in safe. I didn't notice all of the lavender flax fields yesterday. We were too focused on staying on the road and not getting hit. We got the bikes off the van and headed out on highway 2. We had a 20 mile an hour tailwind. It was amazing. We just flew. We had a nice shoulder and it was two lanes so everyone gave us a lot of room. It was effortless. This is the seventh consecutive day of riding. Over seven days we have ridden 457 miles. It is a first for me to ride that many days in a row. The legs have held out. Today we really had fun riding. We were pushed along by the wind. It was not that noticiable until we would stop and feel how strong long the wind was. We really enjoyed getting out of all of the oil country with all of the teucks. We noticed the countryside change to rolling hills, fields of purple flax and yellow mustard. It so beautiful.
In spite of leaving last we got into Minot and had our room immediately ready. We were able to get in, clean up and get something to eat. We are right next to a mall that has .... A Sheels! My personal favorite. We checked it out, but it is not as nice as the one in Fargo. Jennifer got some new brake pads. We are in the biggest town we have seen since leaving Anacortes many weeks ago.
I am ready for a rest day. Time to clean my bike. My poor bike has been through so much. What a wonderful machine. We have been through many miles together, some pretty tough ones like slogging through the mud getting to Glacier, some like today screaming along at a average of over 25 miles an hour.