94.3 miles
Moving Speed: 15.6 MPH (respectable)
Max speed: 36.7
Points of Interest:
Turned right at Mule Creek Junction.
Unmentioned 10 mile climb with crosswinds.
Hit the South Dakota State line.
(for Bruce who is on tour with us, that completes all 50 States where he's been on a bicycle. How cool!)
Outside town of Edgemont, we ran into a band of German Motorcyclists at our second SAG. They were on day 2 of a tour and complaining already about how hard crossing the country is. They were gobsmacked when they learned we were on day 20 and had about 30 more to go.
At mile 72.5 we started a 4 mile climb in glaring sun and high heat...a dry heat, but still...
At top of the climb, tour staff was there for topping off water bottles. I was really, really hot. I filled water bottles with ice and water and squirted it through the vents in my helmet. I instantly revived. Refreshed, we kicked off yet again.
At mile 88, another 1 mile climb. However the reward was a long descent into Hot Springs at mile 92.
At mile 94, DQ! Chili Cheese Dog, fries and chocolate shake. Awesome.
Mile 94.3 we hit the hotel. My room was ready! (Others not so lucky and had to wait).
Our band of 4 (Matt, John, Greg and I) started with cool temps and modest pace as I led the pack out of town. We sort of stayed together, dropping one rider stopping for photos, rejoining us later to have another rider fall back to enjoy some solitude and meditate on the remarkable rolling landscape. At the first SAG, Paul, a retired ABC anchor from Chicago, asked if he could ask me a few questions on camera. He wanted to get both Matt and my answers before we leave the tour on Monday.
"What was going through your mind when you were climbing the Teton Pass?"
Everything and nothing. I was pulling from every deep mental corner of my brain, the oxygen floating up long buried memories and impressions. They were fleeting like a flash card quiz as I had to keep coming back to "Breathe, breathe. Feed the muscles. Breathe! Despite the mental hit parade passing through, just keep breathing."
"Why do you do this?"
Because I am still physically able to do it and have the desire to reach some goal by stretching for it. I do have the time and I have the love and support of my partner and family. So many people never get the chance or take the time to use what they are given to go out and do something remarkable. To test their limits. To achieve what might seem impossible or crazy. Why wait around.
What I didn't say but what is probably closer to the core of it, is I really enjoy the intimacy. Of being alone on a bike surrounded by the silence of the landscape and listening to the breathing and rhythms of the effort. That's one intimacy. Another is the intimacy or camaraderie we share within the group all having a common purpose. Encouraging others on the days they struggle, knowing intimately what they are going through and sharing tips and tricks to help them get a bit further on.
It's hard to describe how a tribe of strangers slowly over a course of a couple weeks, comes to realize that we have something special shared among us.
Tomorrow is my last day on this tour. It has the most climbing so far, but it's shorter mileage wise - just 73 miles. We get to see the Black Hills, Wind Cave National Park, hopefully lots of Bison, Prairie Dogs, Th Crazy Horse Memorial and Mt. Rushmore. Wow. Although it wasn't as long as the LA to Boston ride, I made some great new friends, got to know some remarkable people and will miss them. However, I can't wait to get home, too.
Pictures will follow tomorrow as I need to get some sleep and it takes forever to upload them on slow WiFi.
Leaving Wyoming for South Dakota
John from St Pete at state line
Also near state line
Just a surprising overlook down on a valley of pine.
Guess where?
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