Friday, July 14, 2006
Day 26 - Mitchell, SD - July 14th 2006
Weather: Sunny, 105 (up to 110)Location: Mitchell, SD (from Chamberlain, SD)
Miles per day: 72
Average miles per hour: 14.97 (a record fast day)
Elevation climb: not worth noting. very flat.
Blizzards/Ice Cream to date: 17 (2 today)
Flat Tires to date: 1
Great day.... An early start at 6:00 am to beat the heat that is cutting across South Dakota. The temperatures are abnormally high and affecting crop production. As a cyclist on the pavement, one can add 5-10 degrees to whatever the weatherman says so riding can be very challenging! Although, today we beat the worst of the heat. We rode 72 miles through flat farm fields (mostly corn) and arrived in just about noon. The only traffic was the occassional Combine Harvester or farm truck.
Dennis (pictured here) is our trip's South Dakota local and as we say, 'Local boy makes good'. He now resides in California but went to College here in Mitchell and at 70, is a very strong rider (beats me in everyday!). He's a true inspiration of living life to the fullest and enjoying it!
The highlight of the day came as we entered Mitchell, a town that is corn crazy: as they say 'it fattens the hogs, sweetens the muffins and puts the starch in the shirt collars'. Mitchell's high school sports teams are the Kernels. Its local radio station's call letters are KORN.
The Corn Palace (large auditorium) is built of reinforced concrete (not corn) and every spring its exterior is completely covered with thousands of bushels of native South Dakota corn, grain and grasses that are arranged into large murals to become the World's Largest Bird Feeder. Locals take great pride in the Palace's "corn-septual art" and "ear-chitecture."
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Day 25 - Chamberlain, SD - July 13th 2006
Today was the halfway point in terms of days and mileage. The trip is going by fast. It was appropriate that yesterday was the pinnacle of pain. 'Whatever doesn't break you, makes you' is the quote I live by and is what I have been thinking about all day. After yesterday's grueling day, today was just a breeze - and I perhaps learned, as in life, 'tomorrow will be a better day!'
The physical challenge of this trip (and my lack of training) has left me a reputation of lying on the ground if I am not on the bike. Therefore, it was appropriate that I am lying next to the '1/2 way mark' with my fellow cyclist Lois.
Weather: Overcast, 95
Location: Chamberlain, SD (from Pierre, SD)
Miles per day: 83.4
Average miles per hour: 14.39
Elevation climb: 2106 feet
Blizzards/Ice Cream to date: 16
Flat Tires to date: 1
We traveled 85 miles through the Sioux Indian Reservation along the Missouri River, a spectacularly beautiful river with deep hues of blue and green. We had tailwinds, cloud coverage and little climbing. Possibly with an adrenaline rush from yesterday, I had my fastest day (in terms of completion) wrapping up the day by 2pm.
Today we met a group of cyclist who were blazing their way across the Oregon Trail (in reverse)from Seaside, Oregon to St. Louis, Missouri in just 44 days (http://www.historicaltrailscycling.com). It was great catching up with fellow cycle enthusiasts and catching a different perspective (the tour is a group of 12 who are camping). Here, Tom Armstrong takes a break.
The physical challenge of this trip (and my lack of training) has left me a reputation of lying on the ground if I am not on the bike. Therefore, it was appropriate that I am lying next to the '1/2 way mark' with my fellow cyclist Lois.
Weather: Overcast, 95
Location: Chamberlain, SD (from Pierre, SD)
Miles per day: 83.4
Average miles per hour: 14.39
Elevation climb: 2106 feet
Blizzards/Ice Cream to date: 16
Flat Tires to date: 1
We traveled 85 miles through the Sioux Indian Reservation along the Missouri River, a spectacularly beautiful river with deep hues of blue and green. We had tailwinds, cloud coverage and little climbing. Possibly with an adrenaline rush from yesterday, I had my fastest day (in terms of completion) wrapping up the day by 2pm.
Today we met a group of cyclist who were blazing their way across the Oregon Trail (in reverse)from Seaside, Oregon to St. Louis, Missouri in just 44 days (http://www.historicaltrailscycling.com). It was great catching up with fellow cycle enthusiasts and catching a different perspective (the tour is a group of 12 who are camping). Here, Tom Armstrong takes a break.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Day 24 - Pierre, SD - July 12th 2006
Weather: Sunny 105 (scorching hot and very nasty Headwinds)
Location: Pierre, SD (from Wall (drug), SD
Miles per day: 117.1
Average miles per hour: 11.23
Elevation climb: to be completed
Blizzards/Ice Cream to date: 16
Flat Tires to date: 1
I will keep this short. Today was brutal (or vicious may be a better word). Headwinds, Heat and Hydration (or lack of) made for a most difficult day for all. In fact, all of the cyclist concluded that this was the toughest day of cycling they ever did.
It was predicted to be a long day (117.1) but there usually is a tailwind. Today was not the case. For nearly 100 of the 117 miles, there was a Headwind. What's the impact? Well at one point, with a grade 6% downhill, I had to pedal (hard) to get a speed of 11 mph. Normally, a cyclist can coast and go 20 mph. Every inch today had to be earned through sheer Guts, Tenacity and Perserverance. I have little talents, but I do have the these key ingredients of G, T and P. It was a mental day of sheer steely determination for 14 hours! I'm also greatful to Stu and Lois (my co-riders who egged me on). Let's hope tomorrow the winds are in our favour. I am not sure I could do another day of this.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Day 23 - Wall, SD - July 11th 2006
Weather: Sunny 90sLocation: Wall (Drug), South Dakota (from Rapid City, SD)
Miles per day: 52 (attempted to 57)
Average miles per hour: 13.39
Elevation climb: not enough to care
Blizzards/Ice Cream to date: 16 (todays: Oreo Cheescake - rating 3 out of 5)
Flat Tires to date: 1
Today was just a completely unpredictable day (to the frustration of many). Firstly, Rapid City is not too bike friendly. I felt just getting out of the city alive was a big accomplishment. As we headed out, within 10 miles, we hit a bridge that was out, many had to retrace steps and then head
onto the highway. I had to do just an extra 
mile or so. Given today was meant to be easy, the extra miles were not appreciated, even by the most experienced riders. A few bushwacked their way across to the highway. The views were flat with very little to see (apart from the Wall Drug signs)and very little hills.On the latter part of the day, we stumbled on to Highway Construction. They were paving the road for at least 5 miles. Oil and tar was everywhere (not good for bikes). It turned into a day of mayhem and confusion. What should we do? One lane was closed. Highway crews and police were giving mixed messages. Crews advised to go into the left lane and on the left side. But was that safe? There was a rumour that Police were ticketing riders on the left. A few managed to walk a few miles. With no choice, I was coerced into a 'mandatory sag' to Wall (about 8 miles). On arrival to the hotel, everyone had a bike to clean - the tar and oil was stuck everywhere and very nasty to clean. Fortunately, my bike was not too bad. Everyone's experience was different but all concluded it was not a safe day.
With that done, a few of us managed to find a local who gave us an auto tour of the Badlands. Amazing place - like Grand Canyon but more open and arid, a total of 244,000 acres. We saw more Bison (Buffalo), Prairie Dogs and Mountain Sheep.
And to top it off, Lois and I made it to Wall Drug for dinner and a quick walk through America's greatest tourist trap.
The story goes that in 1931, during the depression, the locals were struggling to make ends meet. As druggist gave out free water, Wall Drug came up with the idea of Advertising this fact to all the tourist heading to the Black Hills. Signs were created and distributed as far East as Chicago and as far West as Idaho. A huge success for this town of 800. Today it continues to thrive as a successful tourist trap. Entrepreneurism at its best!This has been one of my personal best days of the trip (few co-riders will say this).... But remember this day as there is the 'rest of the story' to be told at a later date!
Monday, July 10, 2006
Day 22 - Rapid City - July 10th 2006
Weather: Cloudy/Overcast and coolLocation: Rapid City, SD (from Hot Springs, SD)
Miles per day: 72
Average miles per hour: 10.93
Elevation climb: 6,033 (record to date!)
Blizzards/Ice Cream to date: 16
Flat Tires to date: 1
Today was the best and the worst of cycling and trip life. The cycling (as far as I am concerned) could not get any tougher. At one point, I saw a sign for the cities of 'Deadwood and Lead' - nothing could sum up better how I was feeling! It was a climb of 6,033 feet and often times misleading (what seemed like ascending descents). But life could not get any better. By 11:00 AM, I had my first daily dose of DQ's Cookie Dough Blizzard. The sightseeing was fantastic all day and probably the best yet on the trip. Although after all the climbing today, I did have thoughts of, well, selling out on the bike!Early morning, we passed through Black Hills National Park with our fair share of Bison and Prairie Dogs. The Bison were amazing to see up close. Such beautiful creatures looking so dainty but don’t be fooled, the signs were everywhere: ‘beware of bison’. We were able to get within 100 feet of one of them who did make it clear that it was his territory.
We then passed out of the park and headed towards ‘Crazy Horse Memorial Park’, an impressive sight where they are carving ‘Crazy Horse’ into a rock. From my visit 20 years ago, there sure was progress. Following that, we travelled towards Mount Rushmore. Whilst the pedaling through the Black Hills is something I could do without, I am not sure it can get any better coming around the corner (in physical pain) seeing George Washington’s profile. It was a glorious site. We continued on to get the four presidents (Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln). It was an amazing site. They continue to improve the visitors attraction and its all done in spectacular but tasteful fashion.
We then headed into the town of Keystone, a very tacky but cute tourist town. RVs were everywhere. After ‘sagging’ for some time, without further procrastination, we headed for Rapid City. The elevation map indicated a downhill ride. Again, I beg the differ. We climbed, climbed and climbed to Rapid City. I at one point did find a convenient sign for my bike (Sale Pending – see photo) as all I could think was that I could not go another mile.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Day 21 - Hot Springs, SD - July 9th 2006
Weather: Rainy, intermittent showers all day
Location: Hot Springs, South Dakota (from Lusk, WY)
Miles per day: 92.5
Average miles per hour: 13.88
Elevation climb:
Blizzards/Ice Cream to date: 15
Flat Tires to date: 1
Today was rainy from the start. The good news on that is that we were properly dressed for it as we knew what to expect: Rain. The previous nights' 'route rap' predicted a 'downhill' day. I would beg to differ! My personal experience was that the day was quite a bit harder with lots of rolling hills (translates to too much pedaling!).
"Vast seas of grass as far as the eyes can see" wrote the migrants traveling west in the 1840s. As we headed towards South Dakota, the landscape began to change. Gone was the dry, desert like environment and on came the rolling 'prairie' lands. Much richer and much greener. Our last six miles were challenging as we climbed into the Black Hills of South Dakota.
As we pulled into town, things could hardly get better. There was the DQ (Dairy Queen) right next to the hotel! Apart from that, Hot Springs was very quiet as the town is closed on Sunday - nothing was open.
Day 20 - Lusk, Wyoming - July 8th 2006
Weather: Sunny changing to rain. Light winds
Location: Lusk, WY (from Casper, WY)
Miles per day: 106.7
Average miles per hour: 14.10
Elevation climb: neutral
Blizzards/Ice Cream to date: 14
Flat Tires to date: 1
Coming off a rest day, I was confident for an easy cruise. Not quite the case. Firstly, we were on to doing another Century. Secondly, we were playing cat and mouse with the weather all day. Although for the most part, we successfully alluded the rain (apart from the last 15 miles).
Today's terrain was very flat with a few rolling hills. During the day, in the distance, we bid farewell to the Rockies (Mount Evans) as we headed East.
The most excitemet we had was attempting to outrun a train. The faster riders did it easily. Myself, I was not so lucky. For a long time, I thought I might but slowly these 80 plus car trains overcame my will to win. It was great fun watching the trains come and go along the highway all day.
Our fickle invisible friend (the wind) was very mysterious today. We were all unsure what to expect but most were expecting headwinds. The biggest hint of the day was to notice the direction of the snow fences. It was not good. They were facing towards us - an indication that wind would be heading our way. Although, we were not sure if maybe the winter and summer winds are different. What we did know for sure was that Mother Nature was threatening all day with heavy clouds and possibility of rain. For cyclist, I am told that's good news as it mitigates the danger of the wind. Sure enough, very little wind and until late in the day, very little rain. After the last Sag Stop (official rest stop), it started to sprinkle which then turned into pelting (near hail) rain. It's the first time I've ridden in rain and the biggest challenge was the trucks coming by spraying up a storm and blocking my vision. Luckily, with just 9 miles to go, we made our way into Lusk.
Lusk is a small town with a population of 1444. Great fun as they were having their town cowboy and indians parade and rodeo. We arrived just in time for the parade. It was a reenactment of the 1840s. It was quite good fun.
