July 10, 11, 12  Rapid City to Wall to Pierre to Chamberlain SD July 12, Half way

Computer and network are working well time to get caught up.
SD is big and wide open.  The beauty is in the openness and majesty.  Not the scenery.

Morning of July 10 Leaving Rapid city for Wall SD.

Note the street name

July 11,  117 miles of SD fields and sunshine.  Rode very well.  Done in just over 9 hrs.  We didn't stop or tarry at any of the sag stops.  it was all business.  Ride the miles and get done.  We crossed the Missouri river and entered the central time zone, GREAT, lost an hour, not great.

Last ones to leave 5:40 AM July 11

Diane, Crist Lynne, Rich (by the wall) and I were the last ones to leave in the morning.  People were edgy and very irritable about the days ride.  We started just after sunrise.  Come on we've done longer days.  No reason to be wound so tight. 

Today's "Artistic" photo

On the way out of town from Wall.  Big green Sinclair dinosaur.  3 miles out we ran into a crew that was sweeping up 7 miles of loose gravel.  The day before they tarred the whole surface of the road and put down new gravel.  Actually went a lot better than expected.  We road in the areas packed down by cars that went before us.  took our time and stayed calm.  A " No Hurry, No Worry" approach.  Attitude worked good for 117 mi.

Full Service airport

Full service airport, get your crops sprayed and meet world dignitaries in the same place.  One of the sag stops was in the park across the street from the airport.  we didn't see any dignitaries, actually we didn't see anyone or any planes at all.
Nice ride all day, good athletic performance.

 

July 12, day 25, Half way

looking a little (or a lot) worse for the wear

We've made it half way.  It is now easier to keep going than turn back.  ABB stands for "America By Bicycle"  tour organizer.  There is NO significance to this location other than mileage.  It is the edge of a corn field in the middle of nowhere.

Group is still smiling

Lynne, Crist, Diane, Janel, Sam
We are all still smiling and talking to each other.  Manners have long since broken down.  Humor repairs a lot of feelings.  Diane has teased "after 75 miles I get a little mean"  She has a great demeanor and usually great spirits.

One of the Heroes of the ride

Melanie at halfway

Melanie is one of the heroes of the ride.  She is 73 and has only one eye.  Melanie rides her own pace and keeps going up and down the hills.  She is very determined and a great inspiration.
The glass is more than half full
Sam