Foggy start to a another great day of biking

This morning I planned to leave the hotel at 5:45 to start our 72 mile ride from Mitchell, SD to Sioux Falls, SD.  Only 72 miles stood between me and our rest day.  When I went out at 5:45 it was like a sauna and it was sooo foggy.  I left about 10 minutes later and after a few turns I could barely see 1 foot in front of me and it was so humid that I was dripping.  Between the sweat, the sunscreen and the bug spray - it was pretty nasty.  I kept thinking of those guys in spin class that need to put all of the towels down around them to catch all of the sweat. I thought we were going to be in for a long day but it turned out to be pleasant.

About an hour and half later the sun finally broke through and we had a nice breeze - not always in the right direction but it helped with the heat.  The goal was to stay hydrated and moving so I could get in before it got too hot.  The scenery was pretty today with lots of lakes and color.  Riding onto Sioux Fall felt like riding into any typical suburb.  We are staying in the middle of Anytown USA - think if we were on Long Island we would be across from Roosevelt Field, in Chicago we would be near Old Orchard, in MA we would be in Burlington and in MN we would be near Ridgedale.  Anything we need is right here so I rode directly to Sprint to get my phone fixed.  At the Sprint store they told me that the heat index was 105. 

Everyday there are many funny things that happen along the way.  Today, Travis had a flat tire and thought his pump was broken when he his tire would not inflate.  He tried my pump, didn't work, he tried Bob's pump, didn't work.  It turned out the new tube was defective and already leaking air.  He had to change the tire again.  Luckily, people are always around to help - see pic below.

Everyone is very excited for our day off.  It's hard to explain because it is not the biking people want a day off from, I think it's more of a day off from the routine of always being on the go, not having to go to bed at 8:30 (when it is still daylight) and not having to get up at the crack of dawn.  There are actually a lot of people who ride their bikes on the rest days.  I, for one need to give my legs and bum a chance to recover so I do a lot of walking - plus a massage (of course).

On Monday we will say goodbye to South Dakota and ride into Minnesota.  I can't believe how the trip is flying by.

I wanted to introduce Colin Dunbar - the person who got me through the 117 mile ride

Travis and Bob fixing the tire for the second time.  Today was "jersey day "- so we are all dressed alike.

We got lucky today...

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!

Ooooh, We're halfway there....



Not sure if I can make it to the halfway mark!

Wow, today we hit a monumental milestone.  We hit the halfway point of our trip.  The ABB plan was to ride 84 miles from Pierre, SD to Chamberlain, SD.  My original plan was to jump in the SAG van at our second SAG stop (mile 61) because of two final descents.  This would hopefully be my final time in the van because we are moving into flatter lands.  However, I did not make it to mile 61.  I was EXHAUSTED this morning, after the grueling day we had yesterday.  Everyone was moving a little slower.  My legs and bum were so sore.  And we had winds again!  Lucy and I left last, so I was already way behind. 

We got to the first SAG stop which was the halfway point of out trip - mile 1,834.   It felt like my legs were churning cement.  By mile 32 I was down to 7 - 8 MPH.  It was painful.  I finally said - call the van and got in at mile 37.  I am still exhausted and sore but feel that I had some time to recover today - which I did not get to do yesterday.  Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day however, my goal for this trip was to get up and get on my bike everyday and do my best.  I am happy that I did get on my bike today and at least made it 30% of the way.  Here are the midway stats - ABB plan - 1902 miles.  The Sharon Griff plan - 1578 miles.  Wow, I am very proud of all of us!! 

Looking forward to a great day tomorrow.  After our stormy day, I definitely appreciate every ray of sunshine that we get!

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!

The wind gives and the wind takes...

A much needed recap of the last two day.  Last night we were at the wonderful Super 8 Motel in Rapid City, SD - needless to say I could not get the wi-fi to work.  Overall, I am in a much better place mentally since my last post.  (Thanks to all of your e-mails and texts of support!!!)  Yesterday was Mount Rushmore Day.  The ABB plan was to ride 72 miles from Hot Springs, SD to Rapid City, SD -  Climbing up Mount Rushmore.  Given my feelings from the day before and the fact that the downhill from Mount Rushmore was a 2 miles 10% grade I decided to just delete that from my day.  So I planned to ride up to the first SAG stop at mile 32 and then get in the van for the remainder of the day.  I have to say it was the best decision I made.  After Mount Rushmore, there was still a lot of climbing and even the super riders told me that the downhills were a little sketchy because of the condition of the shoulder.  I ended up having a stress-free day.  Because I was in the van, I did not get to do the whole "Mount Rushmore visitor experience" - but I'm OK with that - see pics below.

Last night Lucy and I chose to forgo the usual dinner and went to Mexican with Nancy and Adrienne (see pic below) - great choice.  We laughed for hours!! 

This morning we were riding 57 miles from Rapid City, SD to Wall, SD.  Since it was a "short" day we got to sleep in - luggage load was at 8:00 AM (normally I am biking between 6 -7 AM).  Plus I decided to leave with the group, instead of early since it was supposed to be an "easy" day - rolling hills and 20 miles on the interstate.  Well...a headwind went into high gear after our first SAG stop at mile 23 and has not stopped.  You know it is brutal when you have to pedal just as hard downhill as uphill.  By the time we all made it in to the hotel, our "easy" day had morphed into a day you would not want repeated.  Luckily (not!) the winds are expected to be the same tomorrow for our 117 mile ride to Pierre, SD - it will be a long day - plus we will ride into a time zone change so we will lose an hour.  Hopefully, I get in before 9 PM!

Some of you may have heard of Wall, SD - "famous" for the Wall Drug Store.  There were at least 8 billion billboards leading into Wall about the store - let me tell you - it is not even really a drug store - it is a 3 block long tourist trap with EVERY type of item you could want from western wear to pie.  We took a walk around - see pics below. 

Don't be surprised if there is no blog tomorrow - unless the wind gods suddenly decide to blow in our favor, I will be on my bike for many, many hours.  If I succeed, it will be my third century in one week. 

At the bicycle monument with Bob, riding up to Mount Rushmore

The beginnings of Mount Rushmore

Washington Profile

Jan and Andreas riding up to Mount Rushmore

Wall Drug - this is the only sign that would make you think it was a pharmacy

Lucy and Jim at Wall Drug Tourist Attraction

Buck Naked Wine

Nancy and Adrienne (Mom and daughter) - their favorite time of the day!

Hard Day of Downhills

Today I am emotionally drained.  We rode 92 miles from Lusk, WY to Hot Springs, SD.  While there were many miles that were fun, it has been overshadowed by 4 terrifying downhills.  We climbed a bit today.  At the top of the first climb was a sign that said "6% grade, next 1.5 miles" and it was going down.  I had no choice, so I went.  At the top of the next climb, the sign said "trucks check your breaks".  This time I was about 2.5 miles from the hotel and I was ready to be finished.  It felt like it was never going to end.  I was getting closer to town and the next sign said "Hill 9% grade"  - at this point I yelled "holy shit" because I was going too fast to do anything else.  I got to the hotel about .5 miles later and I was quite shaken from the day.  Overall, the downhills that have left me drained probably were about 20 minutes of my entire 7 hour trip and yet I'm still quite shaken.  When I got to the hotel, I headed over to Dairy Queen and many of my co-riders were enjoying their treats.  They congratulated me and were so excited that I made it through all of the downhills.  Hopefully, in a few days I will see the positive in all of this and be proud of my accomplishment.  Right now, I've been pushed beyond my limits and need some time to chill.

There were some highpoints of the day as well.  We crossed into South Dakota.  I can't believe we have biked across 3 states already.  I reached my highest MPH today (not surprising) at 35.2 MPH.  And I actually cleaned and lubed my bike, all by myself - OK with help from Matt, but now I think I can do it by myself next time.  Of course after a day like today, I brought my bike to mechanics to make sure everything is OK with my brakes for tomorrow when we climb up to Mt. Rushmore.  I am excited for the climb but I can guarantee you I will not be going down the 10% grade downhill.

Entering South Dakota - Having a good day...so far.