Northwest, Rockies, & Badlands: What a Rush

Stats
74.1 miles
6437' climbing
13.3 Average moving speed (lot of slow climbing with hair-raising crosswinds literally blowing us off the road on downhills)
43.7 Maximum speed (0.3 below my all time MPH)

Highlights
Windy. Sometimes favorable. Sometimes treacherous. I got blown off the shoulder and down a slope. Luckily not into the road.
Felt like three separate rides today.
- Morning a bit humid with long gentle climb. Worked hard in good company of core team. Lots of Prairie Dogs. Damn, they're cute.
- Late morning ride up to Crazy Horse Monument and approach to Mt. Rushmore. Drier but much sharp uphill work with several blustery downhills.
- Spent an hour at Rushmore. Felt overwhelmed. It was my first time there and I got a bit emotional. Walked around, took pictures for several families visiting there (that was cool), and just sat and gazed in warm sun and cool breeze. Had a hot dog and Dr. Pepper. Enjoyed time with Mike and Angie from KY.
- Final 23 mile leg was spine tingling ride down from Mt Rushmore, several additional long climbs before final drop into Rapid City.

Spent time with Matt who ran his bike over to local shop to have it prepared for shipping home. At route rap, we got to address the group, wish them well and thank them for their friendship along the ride. Had dinner at a Ruby Tuesday's wth 5 others and spent time shaking a lot of hands.

Will get up to see the group off tomorrow morning. They're leaving late (8:30). Matt and I will rent a car and head out into the Badlands for a look around. Want to get home to my guys but sad to be parting ways with these remarkable people...

Ramshackle spread with horse

Purportedly a bike "Sculpture" but probably more of a Peloton wreck

I thought it was George in profile, but it's actually Crazy Horse. No. Didn't pay the $5 to ride to the front of the monument. It's unfinished and hasn't progressed any in the past 8 years.

There's a Prairie Dog in there somewhere in upper left. Actually, a whole community mocking me by going down their burrows as soon as I pulled out my phone. Cheeky buggers. You can tell I've been hanging with the Brits on tour. It rubs off.