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Sat July 17 , 2010
Phillip SD to Pierre SD 89 miles elevation gain 3524
Head wind -as usual till the end then we got a little tail wind. - temps over 100 - choppy up and down . The ups were still 6,7,8,9 % climbs.
Amber waves of grain - wheat fileds being harvested - grasshoppers everywhere. They actually made music as some hit the spokes and others were squashed under the wheels. I mean solid grasshoppers. I didn't sleep well last night so i was pretty tired, sleepy and probably dehydrated. This combination made a not so successful ride. I got overheated and the support was really stretching to cover all the water and support for the 80-90 people riding. So , when the sag wagon came by and i knew i was getting overheated i asked for a ride in after about 45 miles in the heat. Bummed but safe . Two other folks got in trouble with the heat - more than i did.
Was glad it was the end of the week and i had a cheap hotel for the day off. It was a tough week with the heat and some competitive - sometimes rude -personalities that were new to the group. But hey the rides were great. Bad lands national park,needles hwy, mount rushmore- saw the monument from a helicopter!! , crazy horse monument, Custer memorials... More details with the daily blog for that week.
Day off : laundry , biked to the local mall for a manicure , pedicure with a fellow rider , Cassey, and a hair appointment . Ahhhhhhh afterwards several of us met for dinner at the View, a nice restaurant next to a country club / golf course. Met some wonderful local folks who were excited about my adventures . We exchanged email addresses and hoped to reconnect again another time. This has happened so many times . I love meeting new people and feeling the instant friendship.
Monday July 19, 2010 Pierre to Miller 88 miles . we began in the rain this morning , headwind was really strong. It was predicted 10 -15 but it was actually 15- 25 gusting to 30. Hills were challenging. At the first water break i nearly froze . there was a cold wind off the lake ! I didn't waste too much time there. Shortly after that we had a left turn and had a tailwind for a bit. What a blessing. After lunch i jumped on the back of a group of 4 and flew! At that point it was pretty flat so i was able to hang with them all the way to camp. We flew at about 22 - 23.
Getting into town most folks run to the closest Dairy Queen. I go for the social but skip the dairy sweets...
Today the roads were covered with frogs - all sizes- dead and alive.
Tuesday july 20,2010 Miller to De Smet. 78 miles south wind 10 mph today dead frog day , cattle drive crossed the road - cowboys on 4 wheelers- not quite the same as the good ole Bonanza days. De Smet offers the Laura Wilder home of the little house on the prarie. I didn't go do the tour. Now we at the DQSipping on a Cappuccino Moo Latte. I got the whip cream and a little sip of the coffee. Yum !
Tomorrow is a shorter day of 59 or 69 depending on if a particular road is flooded or not. Will see . Pictures to come later

Tues. July 20, 2010 Miller to De Smet 78 miles