Earlier this spring, Mike and I starting plotting our Summer Swing to Sturgis 2024 RV adventure. We normally grab a glass (or three) of wine and begin jotting down stops that we really want to make — either places we want to return to or visit for the first time. I had North Dakota on my list for this year's summer tour. For one, I needed to check that state off my bucket list—I've now been to all 50! The other reason, I wanted to ride my Buzz e-bike in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
During COVID, Mike and I discovered that the best way to take in the national and state parks. (Spoiler alert: it’s not riding in an old beat up school bus with fifty aggravated tourists and a tour guide cracking cheesy jokes,) It's grabbing your e-bike and buzzing around at your own pace! With the freedom to stop and take in the sights YOU want to see.
When Buzz came out with the foldable fat tire Centris, we started to adventure more via e-bike than car or guided bus tours, and it truly changed the game for us. This year, Buzz introduced the Drone... another e-bike in their fleet of amazing and affordable e-bikes. I wanted to test out this new product, and I wanted to check another national park off my bucket list.
I have always been enamored by Theodore Roosevelt. Yes, our 26th U.S. President was a very recognizable leader, but his passion for the outdoors and his efforts to dramatically expand the system of national parks and national forests were also impressive. I had to see the park with his namesake! It’s also the land he farmed and lived on for many years, that proved to him that he could become our president!
So you don’t think we were crazy to jump on a battery powered e-bike and trek for over 38 miles – we DID do this one other time in Zion National Park. It was breathtaking and a wee bit intimidating to ride the switchbacks, but we accomplished the feat.
Disclaimer: The night prior or planned bike-riding expedition, I did hear Skinner say, “We should make sure our Buzz Bikes are charged before tomorrow.” I took that as…. HE charged our bikes before we went to bed... communication is key.
The morning of our ride, we took a few minutes to educate our RV travel partner Pam Morton on how to properly ride her Buzz Centris. She was a bit nervous since she had not been on a bike ride since... well… A LONG time ago as a child!
We rode out from our RV Park in Medora, ND – Red Trails RV Park. It is basically downtown and just a mile from the entrance of the national park.
Pam’s husband, John Morton, forgot his national parks senior pass. (Do you have yours? They're awesome & get you access to all the national parks!) He rode back with a big speed assist on his Centris to collect it, as we all waited at the gate. YES, Mike Skinner also has a national parks senior lifetime pass! But, do you think we packed it on the RV for our trip? Nope. And how many national parks do we visit while we're out west? A LOT... the answer is A LOT.
We set out on our riding adventure like a pack of bikers… Buzz Bikers on the scenic loop drive.
The first sight worth stopping for was the first of many Prairie Dog towns. Also, off in the not-so-far distance... the wild horses! We continued to trek past the Peaceful Valley Ranch where buffalo were grazing happily in the sun. We made multiple stops to check out the painted canyons and rock formations.
Now about halfway on our ride, John Morton said he was worried about his battery life, so he started peddling for quite a workout. Pam followed suit. Mike and I just laughed because we knew our bikes would take the journey just fine—with battery life to spare.
As we passed one another using a 1 or 2 asssit (sometimes a 3 if we were headed up a hill)... I saw a coyote in one of the prairie towns, so I hit the 5 assist to speed by promptly. He was a wee bit creepy, and I didn’t want to see my cute prairie dogs get hurt!
We got about a third of the way around the scenic loop when we stopped and realized all those road signs warning of road closure may mean that we couldn't complete the loop. Thankfully, a man in his truck stopped when we flagged him down and advised that we turn around.
THANK THE LORD WE DID.
It wasn’t very long before Skinner shouted – I am outta battery! WHAT?! *%$#@! How can you be out of battery? We went much further in Zion!
Being the sarcastic & not-so-sweet wife that I sometimes am, I laughed and showed off my throttle speed as I whizzed by... until… my pedal assist and throttle went dark. Yep.. I also ran out of battery.
Disclaimer: This was NOT the bike's fault! Skinner did NOT charge our bikes the night before our ride. We were maybe half charged after riding around Sturgis RV campgrounds for nine days!
The Morton Rescue Mission then took into full effect. You see, THEY not only charged their bikes prior the ride, but they also utilized and managed their pedal assist wisely. ( Note to self: The next time I am trying to aggravate my husband by passing him with the throttle control, thinking I am being funny... remember, the joke could be on me! )
As the Morton’s rode ahead (still utilizing their pedal assist!), Mike and I were slowly pedaling up the canyon roads of the national park. I even jumped off my Drone a few times to escort her up the hill because I could not pedal anymore!
Now, because I boldly rode past my husband laughing when his battery went dead, I was a good mile ahead on the ride back to Red Trails RV Park... and that is when I met my friend BFHB (Big BLEEP Hairy Buffalo). BFHB decided the road should be his for a few minutes. Now, I know what to do when you see a bear in the woods, but I have not read about what to do when you see a buffalo who has decided to notify park visitors that the park is HIS territory... So, I stopped pedaling and just stood there, looking that buffalo in the fierce eye. I may have cried “oh mommy help me” under my breath.
Just like that, he sauntered to the bank of the road and laid down. Hmmmmm… now what? Do I dare ride by and not look? Or, do I wait for another victim to be charged first?
I decided to slowly start pedaling and pray he is not offended. With sweat pouring off my forehead, I made my pass. He did give me one more stare down before laying his head down for a nibble of grass. Oh, thank you, Jesus!
Now the next obstacle: I still had another 6 miles to RIDE.
I made it back to the RV park. Out of breath, thirsty, and still thanking GOD the buffalo approved of my pass… but Skinner was still out there... somewhere.
Pam made up an electrolyte cocktail, a cold towel in a bag of ice and John and I jumped in the car to find Skinner. I just knew he was passed out along the side of the road. He needed rescued!!!
When we caught sight of my love of over 25 years, he was laughing... laughing and taking pictures of that buffalo! Yes, he decided to take a break and pulled off the road. He laid his Buzz Bike down for a bit, and was taking pictures of that dang “scary” buffalo, who was putting on a show rolling in the dirt of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. I swear, he could have been petting that buffalo on the nose!
Add "Skinner the Buffalo Whisperer" to his racing championship resume.
The moral to this blog story? CHARGE YOUR E-BIKES before setting off for a long ride! The batteries work!!
The Mortons had battery power (John had 2 bars left & Pam had 3 bars) after riding 38 miles up and down canyon valleys and hills.
The Skinners... well.. we pedaled our booties off because SOMEONE drank too much wine and didn’t charge the bikes. I am blaming Skinner on this one. He did speak it out loud at dinner the night prior, therefore, I felt he had accepted the task as his responsibility. I rest my case.
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