July 16, Sioux Falls to Worthington MN

Today started off nice.  We had +8 miles on the local bike path to get us out of town.  Then the sidewall of my front tire blew, nice round hole.  Couldn't see the problem until the new tube was in and started to inflate it.  The support rider and the support van were both there before I even had the tire off the rim.  I have now replaced both tires and 4 tubes.  About time for this nonsense to end.  This is more flats than I get in a year of riding.  May have something to do with putting on as many miles as in a year and many of them on highway shoulders.  Day got better from there.
We crossed into Minnesota!!!

Minnesota, note TREES in the picture

 One more state done and we are back in the land of trees.  Desert, wheat fields, scrub brush and vast open scenery of nothing have gotten old.  Someone once wrote "I shall never see anything as lovely as a tree"  They got it right.  Green, growing and waving in the breeze. 
Jeff, one of the tour people got a "care" pkg today.  It was full of hats and headwear.

Hats from past riders

Cathy, Barb, Jeff

There was everything from headbands to dreadlocks in the box.  The box is from a group of past riders who send regularly send fun pkgs. to Jeff.  Jeff is a good guy to ride with, knowledgeable, patient and Strong rider.  He leads the New Orleans to Minneapolis ride.  More of a vacation ride than the challenge of cross country.

All of you who wanted a you tube video here you are:  "Teton Pass Summit Descent into Jackson"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0cjZhEZ--M
This is a video Randy Milar shot with a helmet cam.  Long long descent
Bicycle Speed starts at about 35 and ends at just over 40mph.  When the picture dips it is because Randy looked down at his speedometer and heart rate monitor.  The conversation at the beginning is about a rider who was on the tour with us and crashed at the end of this descent.  At the time of the video we knew no details of the crash.  The rider who crashed is ok.  Low blood oxygen level from the altitude was a factor in the crash.  Below 90 is considered hazardous, his was at 83. 
Scenery is gorgeous.  It was NOT thrilling or gorgeous enough to ride back up the mountain and ride  it again. 
My left pinkie finger and ring finger are still weak  from Ulnar nerve compression.  (too much or too long having pressure on the base of your hand on the pinkie finger side)  Ulnar nerve runs through the elbow to the spinal cord.  It is not a problem I have had before.  I am Following recommended exercises and icing on my elbow. Added padding to handlebars and got new gloves with different padding.  Also called my dr. in Milwaukee to see what recommendations he has, he is very active in skiing and riding.
Enjoy the day
Sam

Saturday July 14, Mitchell to Sioux Falls, SD

See the bump in the road, it is considered a hill

The weather today was hot, just like most of the country.  Ride was very flat.  Too flat, no good down hills.  For miles the highest point was a freeway overpass.

The day before a rest day is "Jersey day"  we all wear America By Bike jerseys.  Looks very professional I guess.  Amazing they are all still clean and neat. 


Start of Jersey day

Everyone except one British guy wore their ABB jersey.  He got too much teasing over the fourth of July.  Had to show his independence.

Cheerful people are VERY VERY important on a trip like this.  We are fortunate to have several.  One of them is Rosie.  Always smiling, always cheerful. 


Cheerful Rosie waiting her turn to load luggage

Cantistota Festival

Today's only sag stop was in the town of Cantistota.  Nice place, very friendly.  Today was their town festival.  Morning events are for the kids. 

Girls tractor pull

Determination!!

We were at the last SAG stop of the day and the support van ran out of ice.  Not a good idea when the temp is 95 and there are 10 thirsty riders around.  I couldn't imagine no ice or cold water so just went into the store and bought a 5 lb bag of ice.  Dropped it on the cement a few times to loosen the cubes and suddenly  I was surrounded by 8 new best friends.  I never saw a group go through a bag of ice so quick and there were smiles all around.
The other big use of ice these days is icing knees.  It is becoming more and more common as a preventative measure as well as to relive soreness.
My current ache is two fingers on my left hand.  Hoping today's day off the bike helps with the numbness.
Tomorrow Sunday is a rest day.  SLEEP LATE  (7:00) Laundry etc.
See you down the road
Sam

July 13 Chamberlain to Mitchell SD

Today was hot, dry and hotter.  Sunscreen was everywhere.  Not much to see except corn fields.  Most important topic of conversation was Soft serve vs. ice cream vs. custard.  Of course custard is best.  Yesterday we were so desperate for malts or cones we went to McDonald's.  There was not even a Dairy Queen in town.  I don't know what McDonald's serves, but, it sure isn't quality ice cream.  Several people, besides me, loudly voiced our preference for frozen custard and promised great quality and flavors once we get to WI.
The rest of the food in Chamberlain was VERY good.  Margie, owner of the Anchor Inn where we ate dinner and breakfast made great food for both the dinner and breakfast buffets.  Dinner featured fresh pie.  breakfast was so good I even ate the oatmeal.

Great food if you are ever in Chamberlain SD

Corn Palace, Mitchell, SD

The major tourist trap on today's ride was the Corn Palace in Mitchell SD.  You may like it.  so here are some pictures.

The murals on the walls of the building are made of corn cobs, husks and kernels

I am sure the concept was great in the late 1800s when this started. 
For an alternate view of the ride, here is a link to Randy Mellin's blog.  We regularly ride together.  Randy wears a helmet cam that he can record video or still pictures.  Some of his video is on you tube.  I will get the link when I can.  His first video was "Teton Pass Descent".  Going bike roughly 50 mph on a bike down from the summit.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=1&doc_id=10776&v=Dx

Tomorrow, Fri., is 74 miles and then a rest day in Sioux Falls.  Lynne wants to ride 15 mi. each way so she can visit Iowa.  She's never been there.  I am having a hard time getting enthused about a 30 mi. bike ride on a REST day.
Looking forward to some great scenery in MN and WI.  In MN we go through Lanesboro on the Root River Trail.  It is a trail converted from an old rail road bed.  Similar to the Sparta Elroy trail in WI which we will also ride.
Enjoy the day
Sam

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

Day 24, Wed July 11  Wall to Pierre SD

REALLY bad connection
Tues. Only big news is my derailleur cable broke on the road and 30 speed bike went to 3 speeds. Tied a knot in the cable and Used an "S" hook to get 3 high gears and 3 low gear.  Limped into Wall SD.
WED. We rode the 117 mi from Wall SD to Pierre SD and had a good time.  Lots of farm fields, mostly brown.
Wall drug is novel and fun to see once, then move on.  Will post pictures and more Thur night from Chamberlain SD.
On the road again
Sam

Day 22, Mon July 9

Hot Springs to Rapid City SD

Today was another great day.  Billed as the second hardest, it didn't seem that hard.  5,000 ft of climbing over 74.5 mi.  Must have been because it was fun and interesting.  We went to Wind Cave National Park, Crazy Horse Memorial and Mount Rushmore. Plus we had 3 flat tires today.  I have now changed 5 tubes in three days.  Each tube was changed without using tire irons, (levers to pry off the tires)  I took the tires off using only my hands and skill.  Taking the tires off with tire irons increases the chance of damage to the tire or tube.

Entrance to Wind Cave National Park

We had a great ride through the park's rolling hills and steadily climbing.  Animals in the park include: buffalo White tail deer, prong horn deer?, Prairie dogs.  All unfenced.  this is a park worth visiting again for a longer time.

Deer crossed the road in front of us.  This guy stayed on his side of the road

Pictures of the deer and prairie dogs didn't turn out

Crazy Horse Memorial

The size of the Crazy Horse Memorial is hard to convey in a photo.  It is several times larger than Mt. Rushmore.  When it is finished it will be impressive.  As it stands now was disappointing.  There is a wealth of information on line about the memorial, the sculptor and his family if you are interested.

Pringle SD Where old bicycles go to die.  There is not much else in Pringle.

Karen, one or the tour leaders,  Karen is the hero of several women on the trip.  Her speed and climbing ability on her bike is incredible

George Washington from the road leading to Mount Rushmore 

Mount Rushmore from the viewing patio

Mount Rushmore is more impressive than I expected.  First time I have been here.  The viewing patio is at the end of a walkway lined with flags and columns showing the date each state was admitted to the union.  Really a nice tribute.  Much better in person than movies or tv.

Sam, Diane, Crist, Janel, Jeff, Lynne

Leaving Mt. Rushmore we went through Keystone SD.  SD version of Wisconsin Dells.  Glad I did not see Keystone until after Mt. Rushmore.

As a group we had three flats today.  Mine came on a great downhill while doing 25 mph.  Hit a rock or debris and the tube punctured.  Didn't lose control of the bike and stopped safely.  Janel had her flat on the way to breakfast.  Lynne's flat was on an uphill so no problem to stop.  She was just irritated to have a second flat in two days.
All in all a fun day
Sam

Day 21, Sunday July 8, Lusk WY to Hot Springs SD

Today's ride divides into two segments, part 1 cool, foggy and fast, part 2 Hot, sunny, uphill and slow.  Day started with a 35.2 mile nonstop ride averaging 17.2 mph.  everyone with a flasher on their helmet or bike had it turned on because of the fog.  Great fun and enthusiasm (yes, it was down hill). All the way to the first sag was great. 
Soon as we turned the corner at mile 45.9 we were going into the wind, uphill and the sun had come out and was beating down.  (Thanks Evonne for the sunscreen.)  Plus Lynne had another flat tire.  I have gotten better at changing tubes so now one person changes the tire and everyone else gives advice.

Changing the tube on Lynne's wheel.  Lynne is in blue.

Crossing into South Dakota was second item on today's ride.  Anything to measure progress and celebrate.

Bad case of helmet hair

We are now below the tree line and off the high plains.  Scenery gets a LOT better.  More like northern Wisconsin with pine trees and farm fields.

Below the tree line so we saw trees and greenery again. 

Downhill run, wide clean shoulder is also nice

With all the uphill we climbed there is SUPPOSED to always be a downhill.  It may take a long time to get there, as in 1,000 miles, but for every hill or mountain you go up there will be a downhill.  I have gotten several questions about the elevation and hills in WI.  The hilliest day in WI doesn't even rank in the top dozen of the trip.
I learned more about the rider who crashed while descending.  His blood oxygen level was in the low 80s when he arrived at the hospital.   100 is normal.  most activity should stop at oxygen level of 90.  Judgement and coordination become impaired.  How low his oxygen level at the time of the crash is unknown.  In other words we all need to continue to be extra careful when in the mountains.  The picture shows a nice straight clean smooth downhill run.  I now ride slower and enjoy the view more than the speed when going down hill.

Sunday dinner at the bowling alley

Dinner tonight, Sun, was at the local bowling alley.  Actually it was quite good, chicken, salad, mashed potatoes, vegetarian lasagna, rolls and ice cream.  Plenty of food for seconds and thirds.  Several people are already concerned about cutting down on portion size when the ride ends.  We all eat a big breakfast, nutrition bars and fruit all day, then as much as we can for dinner.  Several people went to Dairy Queen twice today.  Those of us on the ride who are appreciate good custard have told the DQ fans to wait until we get to WI for a GOOD desert.
Time for Bed
Sam