News
Unique games entertain CANDISC cyclists
Tyler Ohmann
08/13/2013
Willow City tripled in size last Monday night as more than 320 bicyclers rode into town throughout the day.
The small Bottineau County town was chosen to play host to the CANDISC Bike Tour, and they delivered.
“They contacted us and asked if we would be a stop,” Shelly Vollmer said.
Vollmer and several other volunteers from the Willow City area came with a unique theme—Redneck Casino Night.
“We kind of talked about old timey games, and then we came up with the name,” Vollmer said. “Because we are kind of redneck.”
The Redneck Casino Night included a Duck Dynasty duck pond, North 40 Roulette, Redneck Bowling, Redneck Bingo and even a Redneck Relay.
The relay consisted of teams doing things like hauling wood, water, using Norwegian skis and wooden horse races.
“This is certainly unusual and unique,” said Pat Sauer, one of the riders, with a chuckle. “I’ve never heard of redneck races or whatever these are called.”
The riders were also fed, and winners in the games got prizes, while local organizations also used the time as fundraisers.
“They all seem like they are enjoying themselves, and everyone one I’ve talked to said it was really well organized,” Vollmer said.
Sauer, who is from the Minneapolis, Minn. area, said things like the games in Willow City is the reason he likes riding the CANDISC tour.
“I love these little towns,” Sauer said. “They treat us very well and they are great people.”
As for hosting them again, Vollmer said she’d think about it.
“Maybe,” Vollmer said. “It was a lot of work, but they seemed to enjoy it.”
About CANDISC
CANDISC stands for Cycling Around North Dakota in Sakakawea Country. It is a bike tour that starts in Garrison, N.D. and travels through different cities and places throughout the state each year.
This year the tour went from Garrison, through Velva, to Willow City, up to Lake Metigoshe State Park, back down to Towner, through Butte, to Turtle Lake and back to Garrison.
In total the tour wound 371 miles throughout the central part of the state.
It lasted from Aug. 3-10.
“This is the only one I’ve done this year,” Sauer said. “I’ve done Cycle Oregon and some in Minnesota years ago.”
As to why he decided to ride in CANDISC, it is pretty simple.
“I’ve always enjoyed cycling,” Sauer said. “It’s closer to Minnesota, and I love the people out here.”
“It’s a great state to bike in, a lot of fun,” Sauer added.
The Turtle Mountain Kiwanis also hosted the CANDISC tour and fed them on Tuesday night.