July 7 Lusk WY to Hot Springs SD

Today was a fun day to ride.  Everyone was rested and ready to go.  We averaged 15 mph for 109 mi.  Total elapsed time (includes flat tires, lunch etc) was 8.5 hrs.  Very good for a bunch of tourists.  It was a largely flat day with some headwind and some tailwind.  Not too hot.
The bikes people ride range in cost from about $1,000 to over $7,000.  Nobody in our group rides a $7,000 bike.  We couldn't afford ice cream and cookies if we did that.  the $7,000 bike is very nice, unfortunately it really doesn't go any faster than the rider on it


Joe and Joan with her new bike

Joe and Joan really are good riders.  They are from CA where they breed Friesian horses.  Great sense of humor and always cheerful, except when Joe rides too fast.

North Platte River

Much of today's riding was along the North Platte River.  As you can see, right along the river there is greenery and trees.  100 yards either side and it is arid.  Goes for miles like this.  greenery and arid side by side.

How many riders does it take to fix a flat tire?

As many as are available.  2 to do the work and the rest offer advice.

Because we are doing so much riding on the shoulder of highways with a lot of debris from blown truck tires with steel wire belts and other debris flats are all too common.  everyone carries spare tubes and some people even carry spare tires.  Typically the cause of the flat is fixed and the tube is fixed in under 10 minutes.  I put a new rear tire on today because of so many cuts in my old one.


Lusk WY is a town of about 1,500 people.  They have Rawhide days every year to celebrate the old west.  Even a parade with cowboys, indians, tractors and old cars.  Even a few tractors souped up for racing.

The carving is an actual tree that was carved in place.  It is carved on all 4 sides.

Every one needs a place to park their covered wagon

 Lusk actually is a nice town county seat for Niobara county.   The town of Lusk is known for being the county seat of the least populated county in the least populated state in the US. In comparison, the county is approximately twice the size of the state of Rhode Island, with only 1/500 of the population.

Tomorrows ride is shorter, only 92 miles.  It goes through Wind Cave Park which is supposed to be very nice.  Weather forcast is for high in the 80s with 30% chance of showers all day.
Hope your weather is cool and dry.
Sam