Downpour + Horrendous Headwinds + 117 miles = BRUTAL

Sorry to leave everyone hanging but the only word to describe yesterday was exhaustion!!!  We rode 117 miles from Wall, SD to Pierre, SD (the capitol of SD, by the way).  For the first 56 miles it was pouring - torrential rain.  I could not see 1 foot in front of me.  It was cold, windy and RAINING.  Then we pulled into our second SAG stop. By the time I got there many people were experimenting with garbage bag rain wear.  But the ABB team was awesome. They got our luggage out so that we could get dry clothes and more layers, because we still had 65 miles to ride.  Once I pulled out of the SAG, the heavy rain ended and it was more peaceful for the next 21 miles.  Then we made a right turn and BOOM, CRAZY headwinds hit.  The worst headwinds of our trip.  I had read the route sheet wrong and thought we were only going to be on that road for seven miles (which would have been seven miles too long) but I pulled into the third SAG stop and they told me we still had 36 miles left on that road.  It had already been a long day.  A number of folks ended up in the SAG van.  I said to myself - I still have something in the tank so I would continue to ride.

Then an angel was sent.  His name is Colin Dunbar.  He is a gentle man who can ride with the best of them.  Most people ride with me for about 3 minutes and then pass me.  We were riding together for about 20 minutes, he was blocking the wind for me and made me feel very safe (I normally like to ride alone).  After 20 minutes, I told him that I did not want to keep him and if he wanted to move on he could.  He said there were no handcuffs and he was choosing to stay and ride with me.  We talked a bit and had some silence.  At mile 97 I was exhausted and could not believe we still had 20 miles left.  If I was not riding with Colin, I would have given up at that moment.  A few miles later we saw a sign that said Pierre 18 miles.  Colin said he did not realize we still had that long to ride.  I knew if he left me he could be to the hotel in one hour.  I know if he stayed it would be at least 2 more hours.  He stayed with me to the bitter end.

About .5 miles from the hotel, we had to cross the Missouri River.  The river had flooded much of the town and there was a mud puddle right where we had to ride.  Needless to say my bike got so muddy that I had to stop and get the goop out just to ride the final bit.  Colin stayed right by my side.  We rode into the hotel a few minutes later.  A lot of folks were outside and cheering us on, it was pretty late.  Overall, I spent 11 hours and 40 minutes on my bike yesterday.  I can't tell you how good it felt to make it through that day.  The women and men who I am taking this journey with are so mentally and physically strong, I am in awe of them everyday - I am so proud of what we accomplished yesterday and I am grateful for Colin!

So when we got in, I was soaking wet, hungry and my bike needed a good hosing off and lubing.  Plus we entered central standard time so we lost an hour.  Everyone was exhausted but feeling a great sense of satisfaction.  So yes, we completed 3 Century rides in one week!  To give you an idea of how the weather impacts the ride - yesterday's ride was 3 hours longer than the 120 miles ride and 5 hours longer than the 106 ride (with the nice tailwinds).

As our leader Mike said, anyone can ride across America in sunshine and tailwinds, but it a true test to make it through what we face yesterday!