Biking with Bill

SCULPTURES IN STONE


Today’s bike ride to Rapid City, SD may be the best example yet of why we are here, why we are determined to ride across America, and why the experience is so unforgettable. The challenge of the terrain with 5455 feet of climbing and 6% and 10% descents was one factor today. Being overwhelmed by the landscapes and landmarks of this country was another. Sharing these experiences with friends-new and old- is so satisfying and memorable.

The weather was overcast with some sprinkles on occasion, but we didn’t have the debilitating heat often encountered in South Dakota this time of year. We will take the rain and clouds.

This was the day in the Black Hills with visits to the Crazy Horse Memorial and Mt Rushmore. A day we looked forward to... and were not disappointed.

Eight miles out of Hot Springs we encountered Wind Cave National Park and saw a sign “Warning! Large Wildlife On The Road”, followed by one that said: “Buffalo Are Dangerous–Do Not Approach!” I did not see any buffalo today (some did)—only scores of prairie dogs standing at their mounded homes. I enjoyed the scenery and the ride through rolling hills in open prairie land with the Black Hills all around us.

We entered the Black Hills National Forest. One can see how the Black Hills region got its name. The heavy coverage of dark green coniferous trees that cover these hills/mountains give it that appearance from a distance.

Passing through the town of Custer, we made a turn to see the “World’s Largest Mountain Carving”, now in progress: the colossal Memorial to Crazy Horse. It honors the North American Indian of all tribes , but is a sculpture in stone of the Lakota warrior Chief who defeated Custer at Little Big Horn. It is a “”monumental” undertaking in size and scope. It is a wonder to see and visit.

We then went through the most incredible big boulder rock canyons as we approached Mt Rushmore. At one point we stopped and looked behind us to see the head of George Washington carved in the mountain –a side view of the Memorial.

The ABBer’s in bicycle gear drew much attention in the crowd of hundreds as we posed in front of “The Four Presidents”. What a monument to American heros–and what a stage; the magnificent Black Hills of South Dakota. It is easy to understand why these Hills were a sacred place to the Indians. They are so different from the Cascades and Tetons, but certainly on and equal plane.

A 10% fast descent took us from Mt Rushmore to the pleasant tourist town of Keystone for lunch at the Trail Driver Café for a Buffalo Burger.

More swift downhills brought us into Rapid City and the completion of our TERRIFIC cycling day.

Bill