Knife River Indian Villages A Stop For CANDISC Cyclists

Knife River Indian Villages NHS was visited by close to 120 bicyclers during the afternoon of August 12, 2005. These cyclists were only a fraction of the riders taking part in the annual CANDISC bicycle tour. CANDISC, an acronym for Cycling Around North Dakota In Sakakawea Country, began in 1993 with 100 cyclists. CANDISC tours focus on the area in and around Lake Sakakawea in western North Dakota. Cyclists traveled 401 miles on this year’s tour in just one week. The 400 riders in this year’s CANDISC represent 30 states and some international visitors. The cyclists ranged in age from 9 years old to 77 years old. 70% of the cyclists are from places outside of North Dakota. Towns included on the tour this year included Hazen, Richardton, Regent, Flasher, Mandan and Stanton. These host towns provided breakfast and dinner for the bicyclists, while lunch was caught on the road at various rest stops. Riders covered 50 to 70 miles per day at speeds of 10 to 20 mph. This year’s CANDISC included two riders that Knife River staff members know very well: Knife River Indian Villages Superintendent Cheryl Schreier and her husband, Bill. Superintendent of Theodore Roosevelt National Park Valerie Naylor joined Cheryl and Bill for three days of the seven-day ride. Cheryl has been working with the National Park Service for 26 years. Before coming to Knife River, Cheryl worked at Bryce Canyon National Park and Yellowstone National Park. This is her third year at Knife River Indian Villages and her first CANDISC tour. Her husband, Bill Schreier was also on this year’s tour. Bill has spent 28 years with the National Park Service. Bill has been employed at Jewel Cave National Monument, Everglades National Park, Death Valley National Park and the Denver Service Center. He is now retired. Cheryl and Bill both thoroughly enjoyed their CANDISC tour. They said they were having a great time, and they were meeting lots of interesting people. Would they do it again? “Absolutely,” Cheryl says. “We’d love to do it again,” Bill adds. CANDISC cyclists camped one night in the local Stanton city park about ½ mile from Knife River Indian Villages, and the next morning pedaled for Ft. Stevenson State Park to close out the tour. Interested in riding in next year’s CANDISC? For information, visit http://www.ndparks.com/Trails/candisc.htm, or call Fort Stevenson State Park at (701) 337-5576 or call 1-800-799-4242.