Thank you Carol for being my ride along yesterday! I was/am so physically and mentally fatigued my motivation to pack up, eat and get on the bike for another day was hard to do. It was momentum, memories of the 95 degree heat after 3pm and the knowing that I have people out there who think I can do this in my moments of doubt that propelled me down the stairs and out the door.
I’m learning and uncovering more about my doubt and my body’s capacity. That there is reserve even when I feel spent. Reserve for endurance and strength, compassion and understanding. This cadre of people are like my tribe and each day I see them for their humor and talents, histories, joys and disappointments.
The Black hills, the canyons and scenery are beautiful here. It seems like the Big Horns but with more traffic, MOTORCYCLES everywhere- probably due to the proximity to Sturgis, and small towns like Lead and Deadville. It was field trip day at the visitor center and mine museum in Lead and there were all these grade schoolers in tie dye shirts for easy identification. It was adorable and reminded me of those days with my kids.
After the climbing was done we wound our way on a bike path into Rapid City. Of course it was hot and windy by then. Honza flew in with a headwind that added over an hour to his flight. The windy state it will be known as. We have another 4 days moving east and tomorrow we journey to Kadoka.
Fun things that happen on rest days: trips to Mount Rushmore, Jeffrey getting stuck in the elevator for 45 minutes, a massage, Honza doing my laundry, a call from my coach Tom, curry for lunch, a new t-shirt as I am weary of my Kona diving company t shirt as my sole attire, a geriatric DJ spinning 45s at dinner- no kidding. He had great tunes, seemed to enjoy the gig and ended with ‘Convoy’.
