They come from around the country to tour our state, and luckily, they don't have to worry about Gas Prices.

They're cyclists participating in the 2009 CANDISC Bike Tour, and this year, they're pedalling through eastern North Dakota.

Dan Erdmann caught up with a few riders enjoying the sights and sounds of the open road.

(Dan Erdmann, KX News) It's one of the largest cycling tours in the mid-West, and although its route changes each year, riders say one thing always seems to remain the same.

(Chuck Zander, Cyclist) "The communities are good, I mean, every community we stop in they go all out and they put us up, and they take care of us, and help us enjoy the whole state."


(Karen Lauer, Cyclist) "You get to know the people, they're friendly, they're kind, they make us lots of goodies and they're happy to see us. They always remember the last bike tour because there's several of them that they rotate."


(Dan Erdmann, KX News) 2009's Cycling Around North Dakota in Sakakawea Country, or CANDISC, Tour is a 7-day, 426-mile loop of northeastern North Dakota. And despite the fact most communities along the route are small, it can mean big business when 400 plus riders roll into town.

(Chuck Proefrock, Nathan's Burgers) "It's gonna be a busy day."


(Dan Erdmann, KX News) Chuck Proefrock runs Nathan's Burgers and Ice Cream in New Rockford. He says they usually experience a small rush around lunchtime...

(Nat Sound: "Order, please!")


(Dan Erdmann, KX News) ...but he wasn't expecting one quite like this.

(Nat Sound: "Cheese burger, fries!")

(Chuck Proefrock, Nathan's Burgers) "Well, we got word of it the other day, so we were down here pretty early this morning getting set up for it."


(Dan Erdmann, KX News) And this is just one example of why CANDISC has become so popular among cyclists across the country. Many say when they visit communities like New Rockford, they're treated like family, and in some cases, they actually are.

(Chuck Zander, Cyclist) "My brother had done it by himself in 2004, and then another brother joined him two years ago, and then I joined them last year, and now we have the oldest brother joining us this year."


(Dan Erdmann, KX News) The Zander brothers aren't the only riders making CANDISC a family vacation, Karen Lauer and her daughter are on their second tour together. She says it's been a great bonding experience for them, and they've also made some new friends along the way.

(Karen Lauer, Cyclist) "You get to know people every year. You come back and you see the same ones, they kind of have a little gathering. It's like going to camp for a week that's fun, that's what a bike tour is."


(Dan Erdmann, KX News) And when this seven-day journey is over, these riders will enjoy a little rest, a lot of ice, and some new memories to hold them over until next year.

(Chuck Zander, Cyclist) Great way to spend a week, great way to spend a week, riding through North Dakota."


(Dan Erdmann, KX News) Along the Far East CANDISC Tour, Dan Erdmann, KX News.

The Far East Tour began in Garrison on August 1st, and it wraps up in the same location on August 8th. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list