Today we rode 71 miles, from Chamberlain, SD to Mitchell, SD. Just so you all know, at this point in the trip all of the towns blur together, so I actually have to look up in my book where we were yesterday. Today was a great day. I left early and had a beautiful sunrise over a lake. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures today because I did not wear a biking shirt so I did not have pockets for my camera. I didn't wear a biking shirt because it was supposed to be really hot so I wanted to wear a light sleeveless t-shirt. We got so lucky because we had a nice cloud cover for most of the ride which kept the sun off of us, we had some rain but just for a few minutes and we had virtually no winds to cause trouble. Additionally, the ride was pretty flat so our legs got a much needed rest and we were all at the hotel pretty early in the day.
Riding into the central time zone has been a mixed bag. I hated losing an hour but now all of my clocks and computers are on the correct time but this morning I was planning to leave at 5:15 AM. I went outside and it was pitch black so even though I was fully ready to leave, I went back to bed for 30 minutes. On our 117 mile day I was able to leave at 5:15 AM because we were on Mountain time. By the time I get adjusted, we will be on EST.
Mitchell, SD is the home of the Corn Palace - most folks went over to the Corn Palace, however, after seeing "Wall Drug", I decided I had my share of tourist places this week. Also, I have been on the hunt for a new phone battery because mine is dead from being in the rain for 12 hours the other day - I guess that's what plastic bags are for. It's quite ironic that today my phone is dead and I had my first flat tire while riding (my 4th flat tire for the trip so far). We have been shown how to fix a flat tire at least a dozen times, but what will take me over an hour to do, Mike our trip leader can do in under 1 minute. So I starting taking the tire off my bike and a few minutes later Nancy rode by and called Mike for me. I was back on the road quickly. I also got a new chain put on my bike yesterday and it made a huge difference in my ride today. It is so great to have people here who know everything about bikes and how to fix them and make them better!
Tomorrow is our final day before our next rest day in Sioux Falls, SD. I will definitely bring my camera!
I am SO glad I asked about u @ dinner 2nite and was THEN informed of your blog! Men!!!! I read every bit and am all caught up! You AMAZE me! Your pictures are awesome! Patrick is concerned about your singing... he says it mite explain your friends lasting for 3 miles with ya! Ha-ha! Looking 4ward to reading more. Keep up the good work! Meggin (and Patrick)
ReplyDelete