Biking with Bill

BENT PRAIRIE GRASS


South Dakota is the only place on earth where you can get heat rash and a wind burn in the same day. Both were available today for the cyclists on the Across America-North ride.

But first the RODEO! Twelve cyclists in cowboy hats, rodeo caps, and rodeo t-shirts were on hand for “one of the top 5 rodeos in the country” held last night in the outdoor arena outside Mitchell, SD. A patriotic crowd of 2400 was on hand for the singing of God Bless America and the National Anthem before the festivities and competition began. The “fragrance” in the air from the horses and cattle was not subdued by the delicious smells from the barbeque tent. We were excited to be a part of this “Badlands culture” and enjoyed the nights events along with the local farming and ranching crowd. Bucking broncos, steer wrestling, and the clowns were our favorites. It was an event we will remember fondly.

The ride to Sioux Falls, SD (pop 123,000) was 75 miles “in the elements”; that is heat and winds. We received a call on our cell phones at the rodeo from ABB that luggage load and breakfast in the morning would be earlier than planned, as the weather report (accurate) was for 20-30 mph winds and 100+ temperatures. The winds were from the SSW, so fortunately we experienced mainly heavy cross winds, but for several stretches of the route we plowed directly into them-slowing the pace and increasing the work load.

However, we had only 75 miles to the oasis of a REST DAY. The mood was upbeat, the route was calm country roads through large farm tracts of mainly corn. Not a person in sight, except the occasional passing pick up truck.

We traveled Rt 262 and SR42 East through the small farming communities of Alexandria, Emery, and Canistota where a town parade with floats was being organized. In addition to the regular stops for SAGs, many of us are now more religious about stopping at a convenience store for cold Gatorade and something to eat on these long days in the heat.

We lose 9 riders here in Sioux Falls. They have completed their course as planned and depart after 2000 miles. We will miss them all: the Swiss father (Franz the Dr) and his athletic son, Ben, who is off to college, Mike (CA), covered in zinc oxide and wearing a long sleeved shirt on his recumbent bike, and especially my 4 cross country mates from the 2004 ride. My good friends Tim and Kathryn (ME), Dale (AZ), and Joyce (MA) leave us here. They are all very special people to me, members of Team Rails to Trails, and more than riding buddies. God Bless!

Bill