Spearfish

Wow what a day. Well, last night I got to meet up with Dani who lives in Gillette and was in my IPI fellowship last year. She picked me up- I got to be in a car! We had dinner and caught up on all of her courses she is doing. Thanks for dinner Dani!

Today was early and fast until it wasn’t. I made it 76 miles before 1pm and lunch at Sundance. Then we zipped out with a strong tailwind and then… it shifted and it was the last 12 miles that felt like a never-ending slog with hills and wind. And eventually at whatever time it was in 90+ degrees I made it.

The whole gang was invited to Jim’s house three blocks away for dinner and what a treat! Thanks also Laura for cooking all that food. They built a house on a corner lot for retirement. It has an elevator for when, as Jim says (Jim the guy who is in front of the fastest pace line), “for when we get old!” I hope they never need to use it!

Funniest thing I saw today was a sign for the “testicle festival” at a bar/trading post. We went inside to check this place out. It is plastered in stickers and license plates and a few locals were enjoying a beer in the shade. Have to say they were friendly but not too talkative to a couple cyclists who were not the motorcycle kind.

Also I saw Devils tower in the distance and Vore buffalo jump. The buffalo would be run into this sinkhole where they could be killed more efficiently and en masse. Clever.

Man, I am tired mentally and physically. Got a bunch of climbing but less than 80 miles to Rapid City. And as soon as I get there- REST DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!