- 35,372
- Downtown North Dakota
- Cy-Fi
Thursday afternoon my mom called me at work. She and my dad were going down to Maplewood State Park Friday afternoon and wanted to know if I and my 2 kids would like to come down for the day on Saturday. After a glance at Forecastfox, I quickly decided yes mid 70s, very slight chance of rain and just a touch of wind. In a word, perfect. I started looking around for info on the park and found that they have a mountain bike trail that goes around a good portion of the park. I called my mom and asked her if it would be alright if I left the kids with her and my dad and took off for a ride (Im just that considerate 
). She naturally said yes (guess where I got the considerate genes from?).
Up side I get to go on a back country ride completely alone, something I havent done in a very long time.
Down side I had to change my tires first.
Street tires must go.
With the tires changed out, the Aerobar and toe clips removed and bag installed, it was time to load her into the Pilot so Id have one less thing to do in the morning.
My chariot, ready to go.
With as much done as I could for the night, it was time to go to bed for a few hours before the kids were awake and the big day began.
Bright and early at 7:00am, I hear my bedroom door open, roll over and see my son walking in. I guess its time to get up and get the breakfast train rolling, I think to myself. Breakfast is done by 8:00, the kids tuck mom in say goodnight (she works 7pm-7am, for those who dont know) and its off to do a treatment. While the treatment is going on, I packed up the enzymes, applesauce for said enzymes, pull-ups, etc. All the essential kids wares. His treatment is done at 9:00, kids are pottied, dressed and out the door by 9:20. Quick stop for gas and were off!
All buckled in and ready to go!
We had made it a whole 20 miles before they started asking to watch a movie. Even though the entire trip there would last only an hour or so, I conceded. Upon firing up Monsters, Inc., there wasnt a sound out of them until I got off of the interstate and I hear the dreaded Are we there? This continued for the next 25 miles around every corner and over every hill.
Two Stay on Trails beats one Do Not Enter.
I was here!
A long, meandering, occasionally grueling 2 miles later, I came to a gate which I had also seen on the map so I knew I was still headed the right direction. Just past the gate is a the Maplewood Church with prompted another photo and drink stop.
I would definitely qualify death as a handicap, wouldnt you?
Im not scared of cemeteries in the least but right after I took that picture, the gate started to clang. That freaked me out a bit, I dont mind telling you.
Is it just me or does this upside down tree have a phallus?
Maybe I was still trying to figure out the tree-penis thing, but on the next downhill, while going somewhere in the vicinity of 26mph, I bit it and scraped up both knees a bit and took a handlebar to the chest. Don't even think about alluding to anything there.
Its nowhere near a meatflap, but nonetheless hurt like hell. I wont post pictures of the injuries out of respect of anyone who doesnt like blood, but for the rest or you click, clicker, clickest. Upon further review of the map, I concluded that I was pretty much straight up halfway done with the loop at this point.
Coming across scenery like this is a surefire way to take your mind off of your throbbing (dont anyone even consider it) knees.
Surf and turf.
Gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous.
An eighth of a mile away from that last picture I came around a corner and saw this:
Out in amongst all this beauty is a huge pile of rusting metal? Just looking at it made me need tetanus shot. Again, about another eighth of a mile up the road we returned to what I had now grown accustomed to.
Much better than the holey rusted metal, Batman
Beerz Lake (See. I know how to spell it, unlike some)
Another three quarters of a mile up the road, not that I am pretty well spent I see this:
Getting closer.
And closer.
I hope I dont have to climb that bastard.
Quick check of the map yep, still here!
Sorry, steep ass hill. Youll have to wait.
Hellllooo, home stretch!
After an incredibly bumpy 7+mile ride I felt like I needed one of these:
But alas, it is only for RVs.
Apparently sign makers dont know how to spell, either.
Back at the Pilot now, I stopped my stopwatch - 1 hour, 47 minutes.
To go seven miles.
Good thing it wasn't a race, huh?
The entire ride I didnt see a single living thing larger than a dragonfly other than eight people on eight horses. Naturally, as soon as I had my bike back in the Pilot and was driving back to the campground, I came across a ginormous snapping turtle.
Ironic and somehow a fitting end to the day.
Back at the camp, we have a quick snack before heading out. The kids are buckled in, I tell my mom and dad goodbye, thanks, and double check that I have everything - all the usually stuff and climb in. Before I can even start the Pilot, I already hear from the backseat Turn on the movie.
Not until we see the sign that says Welcome to Maplewood State Park.
Why?
I despise that word
Thanks for reading and on the off chance anyone wants biggies of any of the pictures (or similars to the ones posted) just speak up. I dont bite.
). She naturally said yes (guess where I got the considerate genes from?).Up side I get to go on a back country ride completely alone, something I havent done in a very long time.
Down side I had to change my tires first.
Street tires must go.
Much better!
My chariot, ready to go.
Bright and early at 7:00am, I hear my bedroom door open, roll over and see my son walking in. I guess its time to get up and get the breakfast train rolling, I think to myself. Breakfast is done by 8:00, the kids tuck mom in say goodnight (she works 7pm-7am, for those who dont know) and its off to do a treatment. While the treatment is going on, I packed up the enzymes, applesauce for said enzymes, pull-ups, etc. All the essential kids wares. His treatment is done at 9:00, kids are pottied, dressed and out the door by 9:20. Quick stop for gas and were off!
All buckled in and ready to go!
We had made it a whole 20 miles before they started asking to watch a movie. Even though the entire trip there would last only an hour or so, I conceded. Upon firing up Monsters, Inc., there wasnt a sound out of them until I got off of the interstate and I hear the dreaded Are we there? This continued for the next 25 miles around every corner and over every hill.
A corner. Oh, wait. I barely had any.
A hill. Or more accurately hills. To make up for the lack or corners, I guess.
Dad, we're trying to watch a movie. Do you mind?
Getting closer!
Huzzah! Destination achieved!
After a quick meal of sloppy joes, baked beans and chips, I set off. I wasnt sure where I could start on my adventure so I stopped into the Park Rangers Station. They showed me where I could park and where the bike trail began and gave me the warning that some of the mountain bike trail was also used for horseback riding and that there were a lot of horses out this weekend. I took that to mean that there was horse poop aplenty. I was right. With the Pilot parked and my front tire back on, it was time to start the stopwatch and get going.
A hill. Or more accurately hills. To make up for the lack or corners, I guess.
Dad, we're trying to watch a movie. Do you mind?
Getting closer!
Huzzah! Destination achieved!
The start of the trail.
Right out of the gate, I came across the first (of many) forks in the road. After a quick look at the map, I headed out to the right as left would lead me straight back to the Pilot. Just under a quarter of a mile later I came across a road I knew I needed to take based on the map, but the signs were giving me mixed signals, much like my wife does on occasion.
Two Stay on Trails beats one Do Not Enter.
I was here!
Sorry, buddy. It would appear that the map makers dont know how to spell Beerz.
I would definitely qualify death as a handicap, wouldnt you?
Is it just me or does this upside down tree have a phallus?
Maybe I was still trying to figure out the tree-penis thing, but on the next downhill, while going somewhere in the vicinity of 26mph, I bit it and scraped up both knees a bit and took a handlebar to the chest. Don't even think about alluding to anything there.
Its nowhere near a meatflap, but nonetheless hurt like hell. I wont post pictures of the injuries out of respect of anyone who doesnt like blood, but for the rest or you click, clicker, clickest. Upon further review of the map, I concluded that I was pretty much straight up halfway done with the loop at this point.
Coming across scenery like this is a surefire way to take your mind off of your throbbing (dont anyone even consider it) knees.
Surf and turf.
One of my numerous drink breaks.
Gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous.
Out in amongst all this beauty is a huge pile of rusting metal? Just looking at it made me need tetanus shot. Again, about another eighth of a mile up the road we returned to what I had now grown accustomed to.
Much better than the holey rusted metal, Batman
Beerz Lake (See. I know how to spell it, unlike some)
Another three quarters of a mile up the road, not that I am pretty well spent I see this:
Getting closer.
And closer.
I hope I dont have to climb that bastard.
Quick check of the map yep, still here!
Sorry, steep ass hill. Youll have to wait.
Hellllooo, home stretch!
George, George, George of the jungle. Watch out
You know the rest.
But alas, it is only for RVs.
Apparently sign makers dont know how to spell, either.
Back at the Pilot now, I stopped my stopwatch - 1 hour, 47 minutes.
To go seven miles.
Good thing it wasn't a race, huh?
The entire ride I didnt see a single living thing larger than a dragonfly other than eight people on eight horses. Naturally, as soon as I had my bike back in the Pilot and was driving back to the campground, I came across a ginormous snapping turtle.
Ironic and somehow a fitting end to the day.
Not until we see the sign that says Welcome to Maplewood State Park.
Why?
I despise that word
Thanks for reading and on the off chance anyone wants biggies of any of the pictures (or similars to the ones posted) just speak up. I dont bite.
