The day before a day off always has the feel of the day before the start of summer vacation. The riders moods were upbeat, especially since we didn't load until 6:45 and breakfast was at 7:00AM. Adding to our euphoria was a positive weather forecast (again) and a short ride- only 72 miles along a relatively flat route- with maybe a slight uphill trend, but nothing to get lathered up about.
Our destination was Sioux City, SD- our last stop in South Dakota. SD has been an interesting state- full of extremes. Extremely: beautiful (Black Hills, Mt. Rushmore), bad roads (every where), desolate and unpopulated. Though we didn't have much of it, it can also have otherworldly heat and winds. According to locals the heat has been right on our tails and next week we'll be dealing with triple digits. Guess we've had it coming and will have to get into survival mode to get through the hot days.
Our stats so far are starting to get impressive. Some fun facts: I am now 63% of the way along my route and will ride a total of 14 more days, with two more rest days. Since leaving Astoria, OR we've ridden for 25 of the last 27 days, have logged 1,988 miles and climbed 68,422 feet. We have crossed the Coastal Range, the Cascade Range and the Rocky Mountains. I've had five flats and have worn out one tire and one chain (the Habersham Bicycle Giant TCR has been running real fine). On Monday we'll enter our fifth state, with two more states and a Canadian province yet to go.
At this point, I am in good physical condition. I thought I was starting to develop a saddle sore a couple days ago, but the long distance cyclist's friend- Bag Balm, came to the rescue and I am pleased to report that I have weathered the storm. The contact points (butt, feet and hands) are all sound and although my legs feel like they need a day off, I have no injuries to worry about. I feel considerably stronger than when I started and notice a marked improvement in how I go over rolling hills- I'm much more comfortable staying in the big ring and powering up things. We are definitely starting to see injuries crop up- knees, backs, quads, hamstrings, achilles tendons. Seems like somebody is sagging everyday and several riders have bailed out due to backs or knees. Knock on wood, I'm holding together well. It could all turn to crap in a heartbeat, but for now-I'm solid.
As I mentioned, today's ride was pretty mild and the terrain has taken a decided turn from "western" to "mid-western". We are now cruising through corn and soybean fields and things are much greener than a week ago with increasing signs of civilization. We no longer have 100 mile stretches with only one gas station in between.
I joined forces with Big Ralph again this morning and we began slowly, but we were groovin' in no time. At about mile 11, Ralph hollered at me and looking back I saw that we had four horses galloping along a fence line to our right at full speed, apparently chasing us- just for the fun of it. It was very, very cool.
We began yipping and yelping in cowboy fashion, whistling and slapping our spandex (cowboys would have slapped their spandex, just trust me)- encouraging the horses to stay with us- which they did for about a mile. Just as a tree line interrupted their ability to keep running with us, we heard one of our riders way behind us, yelling for us to stop- which we did. "You dorks missed the turn about a mile back" were his carefully chosen words. What a buzz kill.With a slight headwind facing the riders, the two of us (remember, a big guy is more fun to draft behind than a little guy) soon collected an assortment of wheel suckers and we hammered along, pulling a double line down the country road and into the first sag at mile 40 or so. After the sag, our group split apart and Ralph and I went along, eventually picking Derek Miller up and the two of them tried their level best to kill me on the remaining 20 miles or so. They came close, but I kept finding excuses to stop for this and that and finally faked my way into Sioux Falls and the luxurious Super 8 Motel. Hey- decent bed and functioning AC- I ain't bitchin'.
This weekend there is some sort of bike (motorcycle) event in Sioux Falls and the place is overrun with Harleys and muscle cars. I'm begging you guys, go fast somewhere else- I want to sleep tonight.
Tomorrow, our third rest day, will be a day of exceptionally low expectations for me. My only to-do's are to find a washing machine and a barber. And if I can't find a barber, I'll be able live with that. BTW, thanks to Sherry and Joe for getting my care package sent to me. It had Chamois Butter, new cleats and cleat covers- golly, this is the best Christmas ever!!
