Friday, July 11, 2008
Day 42, July 11:Springfield to Vermillion. Distance: 67 Miles, Temp. 70s to 90s w/ strong South wind
This was the first day that humidity was high. In leaving the motel room this morning my glasses fogged over. At the break of dawn, we left Springfield headed north on State Road 37 working our way to State Road 50/52 East. SR 50 took us all the way to Vermillion through the towns of Yankton and Gayville. Before reaching Yankton, some of us turned to ride SR 52 down to the Lewis and Clark Lake State Recreation Area where a paved bike path took us all the way to Yankton. At Yankton we connected with some rural roads that took us to Gayville where we had a break. From Gayville to Vermillion most of us took SR 50 heading south-east against a very strong South wind. Arriving at Vermillion we met a convoy of tractors headed to Yankton.
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| Day 42, July 11:Springf |
Day 41, July 10: Pickstown to Springfield. Distance 48 miles, temp. in the 70s and 90s
An early morning start to avoid the hot afternoon sun began with a nice climb up State Route 46 East and then turning south on 388 Ave. This route zig zaged south and east until reaching the shore of the Missouri RIver and from there we continued on an easterly course to Springfield. We passed through a small town, Marty, and saw an 1857 Indian Treaty Monument. A south wind sometimes impeded our progress and sometimes gave us a push as we traveled east. Arriving in Springfield we stayed at the Wagon Wheel Inn. The manager there arranged for the local newspaper editor to interview and take pictures for the local paper. Some folks opted to take route 37 south and cross the Missouri River for lunch at Niobrara, Nebraska.
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| Day 41, July 10: Pickstown to Springfiel |
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Day 40, July 9: Winner to Pickstown. Distance 82.1 miles. Sunny and cool w/ temps in 70s and 80s
Another lovely ride through the South Dakota country side. The trip began early as we stopped at the local Joie's Cafe for breakfast and the local bakery for a homemade doughnut then hit the road loaded with carbs. At the bakery, we discovered that in Gregory about 26 miles down the road was another bakery that we could visit... and we did. The morning ride was gorgeous with a gentle tail wind to help push us along. Our route was US 18 from Winner to Pickstown and passed through several small towns including Gregory, Burke, St. Charles and Bonesteel. Some cyclists chose to ride to Nebraska as route 18 passed within a mile of the state. The end of the ride was celebrated with a down hill to Ft. Randal Dam and Lake Francis fed by the Missouri RIver. After crossing over the dam we arrived in Pickstown.
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| Day 40, July 9: Winner to Pickstown. Distance 82.1 miles. Sunny and cool w/ temps in 70s and 80s |
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Day 39, July 8: White River to Winner. Distance 56 miles w/ temperatures in 60s to mid 80s.
Today the temperatures were cooler due to a thunderstorm during the night. The scenery was mostly farm lands and a few cyclists. Our route was continuing on route 44 from White River to Winner. The ride was short for us after the last two days of 79 and 80 mile rides. Another beautiful day for a bike ride.
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| Day 39, July 8: White River to Winner. Distance 56 miles w/ temperatur |
Monday, July 7, 2008
Day 38, July 7: Cedar Pass to White River. Distance 75.7 miles w/ temperatures in the 60s-90s.
The day started with cloudy skies but by mid morning the skies were mostly clear. The journey took us back to Interior where we took route 44 East which turned out to be South for about 15 miles then turned east all the way to White River. Although 40 miles from the town of White River, we cross over White River, see some pretty wild flowers and some what I believe were Texas Long Horn cattle. Temperatures were mid 60s in the early morning and in the 90s in the mid afternoon. Today's big milestone, we rode into the Central Time Zone so our clocks jump ahead an hour.
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| Day 38, July 7: Cedar Pass to White River. Distance 75.7 miles w/ temperatur |
Day 37, July 6: Rapid City to Cedar Pass. Distance 77.3 miles, Temps 60s-90s
One of the 10 best rides on our schedule. Some folks started early to avoid the late afternoon high temperatures and had a nice tailwind for the first 40 miles or so and then the wind was shifting for a while and by noon were seeing a moderate headwind. Some folks had some bad luck with thier tires and ended having to ride against a strong headwind in the hot late afternoon, We left Rapid CIty following route 44 all the way to Interior then had a two mile ride up route 377 to the Badlands National Park where we stayed at the Badlands Lodge.
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| Day 37, July 6: Rapid City to Cedar Pass. Distance 77.3 miles, Temps 60s-90s |
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