Day 26 - Suny and Breezy? No, even in South Dakota Terms - Sunny and Windy!

These last two days have brought sustained winds at 20-25 mph.  Yesterday, they were directly at us, smacking us head-on when we were climbing long hills that at times were at an 8 degree slope.   Today was a respite day, with winds coming toward us from the south as we traveled east, and elevation gains at a modest slope.  Whew! 

Just to give a short description of the winds, Don took a video of the flags at the nearby McDonald's this afternoon.  (You may not be able to see the video from an Apple device but you can see it from an MS operating system device.)

There were corn fields and some indication of former times along the road as we made our way from Chamberlain to Mitchell, S.D.  As the sun turned the sky to a rosy hue, we passed this former gas station along the way while stopping for water at our support van, probably telling ghost stories of travelers past.

We stopped at the small town of Mt. Vernon for some refreshment (Home-made potato salad or Fudgsicle, anyone?) and a chance to mingle with the local folks.  We found this sign over our table to be not only appropriate, but inspiring!

So we climbed into the saddle for just 70 miles today, but the winds made  it quite a ride.  Toward the end of the trail, we were embraced by a few stands of trees, planted for a windbreak by the road.  Oh momma, did they help, even for a few brief moments!

Arriving in Mitchell, we rode directly to the site of the famous Corn Palace, which is decorated each year with different murals and designs, all composed of corn products.  Here is the 2013 composition.  Inside, there are markets selling their wares and  decor from Corn Palace designs of years passed.

Lastly, we were almost sorely disappointed when we learned that the best ice creamery in Mitchell, located across from the Corn Palace, had closed.  When we asked a local woman at that site where the ice cream shop was, she almost became tearful when telling us of its demise; however, all was not lost.  This gem of a woman directed us to the Zesto freeze.  This shot shows Drew, Gardner and Don, all with happily content faces.  Zesto was home to the best root beer float, chocolate-raspberry and blueberry milkshakes that any biker could yearn for.  Another great day of riding, people and places in the heartland.

Tomorrow - Mitchell to Sioux Falls, S.D.  Are we still in S.D.?????

Day 25 - Halfway with An Abundance of Headwinds!

The day began early again today, and with a ride of only 82 miles, we thought it should be easy-peasy following yesterday's 117 hot miles.  The 6:30 am departure seemed like a good idea to lessen the riding in the midday sun and the stronger winds that develop in the afternoons in S.D.  Here's a shot in front of our hotel at about 6:15 am, riders ready to pack suitcases in the trucks and to get on the road - tires pumped, bikes cleaned, power bars, etc. packed in pockets.

Out on the road, Drew, Gardner and Don stopped to take a picture of the first sighting of the Missouri River, which we would follow for much of the day.  The four of us rode together for much of the day after working on and perfecting our pace line moves to survive the wind yesterday.  This is not the Missouri River yet, just the guys getting ready to take their pictures.    Wait - it's coming.....

Here's the fruits of their labor for this first Missouri River shot.  The river is indeed huge!

At our first "SAG" stop, the ABB Staff made a notation on the pavement that this spot marks the halfway point between Astoria, Oregon and Portsmouth, New Hampshire. A celebration of Making it Halfway ensued while we ate our bananas spread with peanut butter and sprinkled with trail mix, among other delights.

The rest of the day was pretty much a grind as we faced continuous winds, mostly from directly ahead or slightly from  the side.  I kept singing the tune "Blowin in the Wind" to myself as we were buffeted around by winds with sustained speeds of  25mph. At times, when they came from a perpendicular direction, we would have to lean our bikes into the wind to keep from being knocked over by a gust.

This last shot is our approach from the top of a hill outside our destination city, Chamberlain, S.D.  Quite a lovely little town. 

We were lucky enough to get a tip on the best milkshakes in town, at the Derby Coffee House, where we enjoyed cooling down and having a bit of respite before we get ready for a new day tomorrow. There are the predicted headwinds again, but the distance is shorter and the amount of climbing is almost 2,000 feet less.  We can only hope!

Day 24 - Side Winds Today, Head Winds Tomorrow

We left Wall SD just after the sun came up, by 5:45 am, due to having a 117-mile ride day and the possibility of  hot temperatures with strong side winds.  It was time to say good bye to Wall Drug and its beckoning 80 foot dinosaur.

We formed a coalition of riders for our little group, Don (taking the picture over his back), Drew, Gardner from Massachusetts, and me in the rear spot.   The man up front took turns being the front rider, taking the full force of the wind, while the rest of us drafted after his lead.  I'm so short (and not as powerful as the men up front) that no one wanted to draft behind me, and for good reason.  I was very lucky to have such kind fellow riders, and I was challenged enough just to keep up with their fast pace. 

 After many hours of traveling rolling farm and grazing land, we finally found the capital city of Pierre (pronounced "Peer") South Dakota. Here is  a shot of the Missouri River crossing where we passed from Mountain to the Central Time Zone.

 

We had  several hours to explore the finer points of Pierre, including both Dairy Queen (root beer float, anyone?) and this interesting combination  building next door.

Luckily, Pierre is also home to the beautiful South Dakota Capital Building, which was a couple miles by foot.  Here are our photos of this lovely, open to the public building, outside:

....and inside:

By the way, with a population of only 14,000, Pierre is the second smallest state capital in the US....Do you know the state capital city with the smallest population? 

Time to get ready for the next adventure tomorrow, 83 miles to Chamberlain, SD.  Winds are predicted to be in our faces for much of the way at 12-25 mph.  Another early start to ward off the strongest of the winds in the afternoon.  

Day 23 - A Matter of Balance

We have had some pretty spectacular days over the last 22 while traveling in the west.  Today was one that provides some balance.  A day of shorter duration and not too many physical challenges, one of many "roller" hills, some travel again along the Interstate, and the best of them all, Wall Drug in Wall, SD.

We left Rapid City and entered the countryside of beautiful farmland, much of which contained mega-bales of cylindrical hay, ready for transport. A beautiful blue sky showed no sign of thunder boomers, and we rolled continually up and down over many hills on our way to Wall. 

Our one "SAG" stop to refill water bottles and have a snack was in New Underwood, site of Steve's Super Store and the World's Smallest Biker Bar.  I was strategically placed in the picture below to change the sign's meaning to  match my stature.  (Don't forget that even a mouse can make a lion roar, however).

Following  the rollers, we spent 20 miles along the shoulder of Interstate 90, upon which I'm told we could stay on this highway and find ourselves in Boston. Exiting at Wall, however, afforded us the chance to stay at the home of Wall Drug.  See if you can find Don in the billboard below.  We were THAT excited to be here!

Spending an hour or so exploring all the many rooms, including the Book Room, Jewelry Room, Cafe, Pharmacy, Timeless Chapel, and Cowboy Store, we leave you with our last photo of the day, in downtown Wall.

Tomorrow will be one of our more challenging days.  At 117 miles and the unpredictability of the ever-present winds + chance of thunderstorms, we will spend a long day on the road to Pierre, SD.  We depart on our bikes for breakfast & the road at 5:15 am.  Signing off for today.

Day 22 - May I Please Hear "Spectacular"!!!!

Any time your day includes a shot like this, directly from your own little Canon camera that fits into your back pocket, how can you not say "Spectacular"?  Add to the fact that we arrived at this famous spot via pedal power, our day was perfect for a up-close look at not only at the monument, but also at the areas surrounding it.

Heavy showers and winds again pelted our departure site early in the early morning hours, but we were lucky to escape once again with only a brief shower. We set out from Hot Springs, SD, and soon crossed a double cattle guard to enter Wind Cave National Park.  The double guard is there to keep in the herds of buffalo that freely roam the hills there along with the antelope, elk and too-many-to-count cities of prairie dogs.

We encountered a lone bull coming toward us next to our side of the roadway.  His saunter and massive body cautioned us to cross to the other side of the two-lane road for our photos once he came closer, and  the following show his look from both sides of the road.

 The park hills were covered with burrow upon burrow of prairie dogs.  As we rode through the park, they would stand at attention atop their homes, ready to scurry beneath if we posed a threat, but mostly "barking" at us as we made our way through their territory.  There were many photos of these little guys taken, but this one seemed to be picture perfect.

After leaving Wind Cave Park, we rode to the town of Custer, where we had an amazing "drive through" espresso accompanied by a sausage/egg/cheese/croissant experience.  This served as fuel to make our way up, up, up through the hills toward the Crazy Horse Sculpture and Mt. Rushmore National Monuments.  

Though we did not stop at Crazy Horse Sculpture, this mountain sculpture in-progress was easily seen from the roadway, and the sun popped out just in time for this great photo.

Here's the entire Portland, Oregon crew after having stopped at Mt. Rushmore to have lunch with the Presidents:  Don, Holly, Drew & Greg.
 

Lastly, making our way down the mountain to Rapid City, S.D., we found ourselves with some time to kill and bicycle needs to fill.  We made the quick ride to Cranky Jeff's in downtown Rapid City, and we are now ready to start anew on our wheels tomorrow.

There's nothing cranky about any of our group tonight!  Tomorrow - Where in the Wall is Wall?

Day 21 - Entering South Dakota: Raibows, T-Boomers, and Bowling Alley Dining

We start with a shot from our motel room last night in Lusk, S.D., after a quick, rolling thunderstorm passed through right after our outdoor pizza dinner (good timing).  Note not only the beautiful rainbow, which was a double at times, but also the sheets of rain against the gray-brown clouds.

We awoke at 4:18 am this morning to a flash of lightening and a huge thunderclap that brought more morning rain.  Starting out on the wet pavement at about 6:30 or earlier, most bikers were relieved to find the storms had finally passed, leaving only their remnants and some beautiful filters for the sun to shine through in the early hours.

The morning travel was fantastic!  The roads dried quickly, the winds were favorable, and a lot of flat or downhill travel made for some record-breaking riding times.  Here's fellow PDX-er Drew along with new Canadian friend Fred at a photo-op in the day's first half.  A good time was had by all enjoyng the rolling landscape and fantastic ride.

About 56 miles into the 93-mile day, we stopped for the sun to come out and to shine on our South Dakota State Line photo.  It's hard to see, but the sign in the background has a yellow outline of the four US Presidents atop Mt. Rushmore.

The day was not without team adventures, as shown by Greg and Don, giving it their Oregon/Duck best at changing a flat along the roadside.

Today also brought us time together with local citizens.  The photo below is of a Vietnam Veteran who built his modified Snapper-Chopper Hybrid and had it decorated  for a fly-by at our snack stop at a truck stop parking lot.  And it still cuts grass!

During the last part of our day, we ascended two beautiful climbs that took us to the beginnings of the Black Hills of South Dakota.  Hay harvest had recently happened, and here are a couple of shots of the cut fields and hay bales.  A gorgeous day!

Bowling alley Dining?  Yes!  No pics here, but tonight we dined at the Hot Springs SD Bowling Alley and Casino.  A buffet dinner was set up, and we spread out to eat amongst the bowling alleys themselves, sitting at the chairs at the end of each lane.   Don brought his lucky bowling socks just in case, but the lanes were too still tonight to disturb the quiet conversations about the ride today. 

Tomorrow - Journey to Rapid City, Chief Crazy Horse Memorial, and Mt. Rushmore.