July 14 2018 Philip to Pierre SD

Today’s ride was 90 miles and 2100 feet of climb.  There were three legs to the ride the first was due east for 28 miles the second was due north for 20 miles and the third leg was due east for 42 miles.  Picnic was 5 miles into the third leg.  Each of the legs had something different to offer even though they were all through large rolling prairie hills.  The first leg was down the same highway we rode into Philip on with broken shoulder and rutted main surface, however as it was the first leg it was going to be the coolest and have the lowest wind conditions.  The second leg being straight north had a tail wind, and the third section had 30 miles of brand new pavement which had not even been stripped yet.  The third leg however would be the hottest and have the windiest conditions.

I set out on the first leg at 6:55. The temperature was around 75 F when I left camp and it felt like I was making pretty good time.  The wind was straight out of the south at around 10 mph so a nasty but not intolerable cross wind.  I don’t have really deep aero wheels so I am not affected as bad as some.  A bunch of the hills took me down into the bottom of my granny gear but the descents kind of made up for it.  At one point there was a local train running along the highway and I was able to out run it and get a picture of the brightly painted engine.  However when I got to the corner and checked my time I was kind of disappointed as I had only averaged 12.5 mph on the first leg. 

Turning north on the second leg I had the wind to my back and it was increasing steadily so I knew I could do a lot better.  There were a lot of bigger grades on this leg as it looked like we were climbing over a large high ridge.  Never the less I was able to maintain 14 mph on the hill and the descent was 30-35 mph.  The second turn came up pretty fast but by now the wind is just howling and the temperature is over 90F.  Stopping for even a moment in the sun was deadly.

Last leg and with picnic in sight after which only 37 miles.   Upon making the corner I was taken by surprise at how strong the wind was.  My bike is almost jerked out from under me by the wind.  Wrestling the bike under control I continue on towards picnic, just 5 miles up the road.  Unfortunately it looks like the best I am able to do is about 6-8 mph and it is a wrestle.  Arriving at picnic I am close to one of the last to arrive.  The ride leaders have all left and the back of the ride all took the van to picnic.  Not that it matters as there is a still lot to eat and Shuli’s watermelon salad is so cool and refreshing.

So I have 37 miles to go at 6-8 mph in 90 temps which are really well over 100 out on the pavement with what is now a 20-30 mph cross wind.  The support van rolls in and Matt says he is headed straight to Pierre, and did I want a ride.  Ken T had rolled in and I looked at him and we both jumped at the chance to take a ride.  We knew it would be at least 3 hours before we got another ride.  In town we find it is actually 98F.

We are staying at the Indian Learning Center in Pierre which is on the edge of town.  As we arrived ahead of the group Ken and I got first choose of rooms which worked to our advantage as were able to choose a good one.  We cleaned up and headed back to town to find supper.   No Uber in Pierre.  No Lyft in Pierre.  No taxis in Pierre.  So we walk a mile to the nearest gas station where we find they have a public transit system which operates like a taxi where you phone a number and they come and get you for a flat $7.00.   At least now we know. 

We go to this Mexican place and have a fabulous meal.  

 Tomorrow is a rest day   What a week!

Terry hot biker