Riding Days 16 - 20

Day 16: Bemidji, MN to Superior, WI

On our way through the lovely swamplands and lake lands of Minnesota.

We would only spend two days of riding through the land of 10,000 lakes.

What's weird though is that I only counted 9,999 lakes :)

Lame joke over.

Our way to Wisconsin was filled with green forest, going over the Mississippi River, good shoulder on the road, and mosquitos.

The mosquitos are back, and they are even more viscious.

Every break was spent in the car, if not...imagine Alfred Hitchcock's Birds and apply it the number of mosquitos that would swarm us when we stop outdoors.

Dramatic? Maybe.

True? Debatable.

Did it happen? Yes.

Oh and then after 80 miles we were met with a nice big hill.

Followed by a dive into Duluth, MN and took the bridge across the bay into Superior, Wisconsin.

Totalled about 135 miles for the day.

Day 17: Superior, WI to Ironwood, MI

Today was a rather simple day.

Started off looking really good. See?

 The morning was beautiful.

But, a quick reminder was given to us about our new, humid conditions.

I come from a desert, I already sweat the amount of two hairy men.

I'm going to need more water. But still had a good day, good enough for me to be a goofy goober.

We had nice rolling hills (that is said with sarcasm because hills with 100 mile days get old really, REALLY fast) and still the lush green forest.

I guess that all comes with the humidity.

The mosquitoes still loved us today when we were outside.

Also, the gnats on steroids made a wee comeback.

But, after only one day in Wisconsin that was just over 100 miles we finally made it to our seventh state, Michigan.

Altough there was slight confusion as to where to go next.

Now, in my defense, I am partially right. Why?

Because the next day we would make a minor pass through Wisconsin on our way back to Michigan, and into Iron Mountain.

Now we get to meet and know the Yoopers.

That is the term for the people who live in the uppper peninnsula of Michigan.

Day 18: Ironwood, MI to Iron Mountain, MI

Nothing too special about today. It was our third day in a row that we would crack 100 miles.

Definitely takes a toll on the body.

Still feel like Superman though.

Less mosquitoes  hills still show up (those buggers), and we had a nice humid heat to take us our last 20 miles. Twenty miles past 100 miles already ridden for the day.

Busted it out like champs.

Day 19: Iron Mountain, MI to Manistique, MI

Day 19 started off with a bit of rain, but that cleared up by 9:00am and almost right after we crossed into our final time zone.

Eastern

Still, today was awesome!

Why? Because now we were going to be by Lake Michigan and have a change of scenery for a bit of the trip.

It was nice to have some water at the side. 

Not only was it a nice change of scene, but it helped cool us down too.

Another day cracking 100 miles.

Even met some friends along the way.

This is Eric and Kelsey. They are from Illinois and were on a bike ride that loops Lake Michigan.

They were riding for a cause that helps to promote better schools and education in Chicago and Thailand.

How those two go together, I don't know.

A cause like that is still a good cause.

They were extremely nice and invited us to a potluck dinner at a local church in Manistique. 

Didn't make it, but still enjoyed having more people to chat and draft with :)

We made it the 107 miles to Manistique and were able to actually go out and enjoy the scenery and good company.

Day 20: Manistique, MI to Cheboygan, MI

Our last day in the Upper Peninsula with the Yoopers greeted us with cloudy skies.

Now it looks pretty, but those clouds are viscous, mean things.

We had a fantastic downpour that paused the journey for almost an hour!

I didn't get any pictures of it, but it was a little more intense than the rain my Dad and I encountered on the Century Salt Lake ride.

It was awful, but at least we had a van to stay in and kinda dry off.

We continued on Highway 2 through forest and the shores of Lake Michigan.

 In the town of Epoufette (Ee-poo-fette...yeah, I'm serious) we were all tempted to try out an Yooper favorite.

A Pastie (Past-ee).

It's like a potpie kinda deal, it can be filled with anything.

But, you gotta choose wisely where you get them.

The first place we tried had it with sausage, chicken, bacon...need I say more.

Sadly those weren't ready.

The next place had hamburger, onion, and other garbage that sounded like they put in what they don't cook the previous day.

Pass!

We made it to St. Ignace where we would say our fond farewell to Highway 2 and would head down into the hand of Michigan.

And onto Cheboygan (Sheh-boy-gan) with a tailwind that carried us up to 27mph.

Which on a bike is flying for us :D

It was awesome!

Highway 2 has carried us since Montana. It had its ups and downs (in many ways) and now we start planning a zig-zag, kinda, down Michigan and into our Neighbors to the North, Canada.

Probably won't be there for a day or two more, but that'll be fun. 

Boston or bust!

-Jordo

Day 15: East Grand Forks, MN to Bemidji, MN

Oh Crap!

That was the smell of the morning in Minnesota. 

Farmers must've laid some very fresh manure, because that was the overwhelming smell that greeted us on our ride.

It seemed to carry over on a type of theme for the day.

But, as you can see above, it was still pleasant to the eyes.

If I Picked One Word to Describe Today...

It would be...Headwind.

Headwind THE WHOLE DAY!

We battled for every mile.

Give me our first rain, the mosquitoes of Montana and their gnats on steroids; but please, please, please, give us a tailwind.

In all honesty, we have had either a head or crosswind for the majority of the ride.

Wind never usually affects daily life, unless you are riding over  100 miles every day on a bike :)

It's crazy how it can make or break your energy for the day.

Today, it was nothing short of constant.

Kept us at a steady 12-15mph.

We're used to traveling at an average of 17-20mph.

But like I said, we pressed on and even found a few nice surprises in the day.

Matt and Kev didn't follow me on this path, but I took it because it kind of reminds me of the tunnel of trees on Kauai.

Minnesota is a very green state. Probably because of all the moisture in the air.

I forgot to mention that we have finally run into the humid side of America.

And for those who know me, know I sweat a lot.

Add humidity and you got a sweaty Jordan cocktail.

I'm still sad to say that I haven't talked to someone who has the Minnesota accent.

Although, one lady has said that she met a man three weeks ago who was doing what we were.

Tomorrow may be a big day. We are planning it out tonight.

Oh and here is a movie about my furry friend :)

Boston or bust!

Share with friends and family and lemme know what interests you.

-Jordo

Days 12,13, 14: Minot, Devil's Lake, North Dakota and the Beginning of Minnesota

So Long Montana!

It was a great day on July 9th, 2013. We woke up in Culbertson, MT and entered into a new frontier.

After six days in the state we saw this glorious sign

Followed by this sign

(To the tune of Oklahoma) Nooooooorrrrrrrrrth Dakota where the wind blows directly in our face!!!

We were greeted with headwind.

Although we finally got a brand new road for Highway 2.

When else in life are you going to be excited to see a new road.

The west side of North Dakota is a booming, booming place.

There is oil sprouting up everywhere and everyone wants a piece or the action.

Or a job.

Never have we seen such a concentrated number of semi-trucks in one area.

Needless to say, we were on our toes when it came to being safe and watching our backs. 

At 10:00am Mountain Standard Time we pulled off to the side of the road and looked back West and saluted to kick-off the official opening of the Hyatt Place Holladay.

Kevin sent that to his GM of the hotel and they sent us back a picture of the whole staff "return[ing] your salute."

We all had a good laugh.

And then pushed on

Luckily we still made it to Minot for our first night in North Dakota.

We stayed at the Hyatt there. Can you believe that? I mean, why would my Dad, Kevin Ludlow, have us stay at a Hyatt? Baffling ;)

"I Know What Day it is?"

"It's Groundhog Day." That was the kick-off of day two in North Dakota from Kevin Ludlow. 

Today was to be a big day. We tallied up 133 miles to Devil's Lake.

Along the way, which was Highway 2 the whole state thru, we actually traveled to the center of the Universe.

Actually, it was of North America...

I don't really see a difference :) *patriotic tune*

We busted it out though.

133 miles to Devil's Lake, North Dakota.

Never have I been so happy to stay at, mention, or see the word Devil.

I almost felt sacrilegious in my celebration.

But c'mon! Level with me for a bit. It was 133 miles, with crosswinds some of the way.

For the name Devil though, it was a gorgeous lake.

Final Push Through the Big ND 

 Today we awoke, had a great breakfast for a change (we weren't able to have Hyatt's :(  ) and rolled on out for what we hoped to be a quick day to the boarder of Minnesota (dontchya know).

We had a 22mph crosswind the WHOLE DAY!

Wind may not matter too much when you are in a car.

On a bike, wind can make or break you.

When it isn't working with you, it can be draining on your energy.

You go slower while exerting such a great amount of effort to push through.

Now I want to share something with y'all. Most who know me know I am one who is the first to pounce on "great" fast and testimony meeting stories. What I am about to say may seem something like that.

It is something though that I have really felt and I cannot deny, so I must thank my God and all of you who are either praying or wishing us the best on this trip.

I have felt at times where I was getting tired I have felt much like the people of Alma from the Book of Mormon where their burdens were lightened by the Lord.

I have felt such energy at the end of some days that should leave me absolutely drained. Although, I don't know how tired I am until I really lie down.

I thank Him for that. And I thank all of the love and support that is being sent our way.

I promise every bit is appreciated.

Today was one of those days where appreciation I feel is overflowing.

Thank you.

But we finally made it.

We made it through the intense side-winds to Grand Forks, ND and across the border to Minnesota.

Please forgive my gums in the first picture. Apparently I pull the Miley Cyrus when I smile and have more gum then teeth.

Big mouth comes with the territory of my big head though :)

Tomorrow we start our trek through our fifth state.

I can't wait to talk to someone who has that awesome accent. Shout out to my MTC comp Elder Seth Jones from Chaska, MN.

Thanks for everything again and more adventure to come tomorrow!

As always let me know what you, the people, want to hear and see.

-Jordo

Days 9, 10, 11: Montana, Montana, and more Montana

West Dakota (Really Big Sky Country) :)

What a huge difference in this state. 

Montana is a coin with two (extremely) different sides. 

There is the side west of the Continental Divide and east of it.

The West side is mountains, forests, hills, Glacier, need I go on?

Then there's this:

Jordan, that still looks pretty? Why do you sound kinda disapointed?

Because we came from this:

See the difference?

Hence the heading of this section: West Dakota.

I would hereby propose that Montana be split in two. West of the Divide is Montana and the east is West Dakota.

I still love this ride and every day is an adventure. Surprisingly everyone we meet or talk to is extremely friendly and helpful! 

They all seem to smile when we tell them what we are doing, and then we say we are family, and especially father and son, and they go nuts :)

It's a treat to make random people happy.

The world may seem bad at times, but it doesn't take too much effort to meet a nice person or make someone smile for the day.

I believe like my Dad that probably a good majority of people are good. It's only the idiots that get the attention and make the outlook seem gloomy.

Anywho, sorry about the rant. 

Our ride has been mostly on Highway 2. The last two days, though, we have had to find an alternate route due to a ridiculously small shoulder.

My handle bars pretty much cover the width.

Montana's speed limit on this road: 70.

Safety first. Always. This is where I say thank you to everyone who has prayed for us. They do not go unnoticed up above, trust me. We cracked 100 miles the last three days too!

Tomorrow we enter our fourth state, North Dakota.

Gotta shut 'er down for the night.

Boston or bust. And remember 

Cheers!

-Jordo

Day 8: Glacier National Park and the Going-to-the-Sun Rd.

Big Kev Ludlow

Riding through the Northern Cascade Mountains and Glacier National Park was one continuous witness of the greatness and handiwork of a loving Heavenly Father.  

It is nothing short of spectacular and awe inspiring.  

We too often think we need to go to far away places to see something special when it is closer than we think.  I love this earth and I have loved visiting almost every place I have been, lived, worked and vacationed. 

And these two most recent places remind me of the truth of the words of the Book of Mormon prophet Alma who wrote, "..and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are on the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator."

I thank God for this incredible planet we live on!

Matty Light

So riding through Glacier National Park was dope.  This was the part of the ride that I was most excited for.  

I had heard so many great things about this park so I was super excited. It did not disappoint.  It was the most beautiful place I have ever been too.  

I was so busy taking pictures and admiring the beauty that the climb didn't even phase me.  

Looking back on it, it was the best day of riding I have ever had, and the most beautiful place I had ever been.

Sir Lancelot

Having the opportunity to be the driver for the crew during Glacier Nation Park was incredible! 

I was able to have quite a bit of down time to myself which allowed me to take over a 100 pictures throughout the day. 

I had high expectations for the scenery but the reality of it surpassed everything. 

I had never seen a place so beautiful and full of life! 

Glacier was by far the best day of the entire trip and it's going to be hard to beat. It was honestly the most amazing place I'd ever been. 

I'm glad I have this opportunity and I definitely made the best of it with plenty of pictures! If you ever have the chance to check it out make sure you do! 

Many of you have asked...

...About my furry little friend. Well here is the story.

Matt and I were on the Going-to-the-Sun Rd.

We were slightly ahead of the rest of the group and this main turn called "The Loop."

The Loop is a complete 180 turn that takes you up a road that offers breathtaking views of the mountains, and it's where a lot of the pictures below came from.

We sat there and talked with some nice people who were on their way down the mountain, when all of a sudden I looked down the road and saw him.

My first reaction was "BEAR!" (Imagine Doug from Up) 
I was so freaking excited! He was crossing the road about 40 yards down, so I thought he would just go downhill and that would be it.

Luckily he made a right turn and headed straight towards us. Matt went close, and I told him to stay back.

I was waiting for Mama to come which means RUUUUUUN!!! Bears can run up to 30mph, and that is still bookin' it on a bike.

Luckily she didn't and he came right up looking for food (obviously).

So I became the paparazzi and also shot a video.

He/She was awesome and just shook off all the people around and went on his merry way.

By far the best part of the trip.

Really I can only echo what the other guys have said. This place is a heaven on earth.

It was definitely created by more than just tectonic plates.

This is art. This place is God's artwork and man made it even more enjoyable with a road carved into a mountain completed in 1932.