Day 23 – World’s Smallest Biker Bar

July 10, 2018

Day 23 – Rapid City to Wall, SD – 58 miles, 1,860 feet vertical

First things first.  *** Update:  Our friend Jay, who crashed on the descent yesterday, is fine!  He needed a little TLC at the local hospital in Rapid City ( and by “local”, I mean down the block.)  His wife flew out to meet him and they are now back home in Boulder, CO.  Thank goodness for his helmet – a lifesaver.  We all signed a card today and it is on its way to Jay with our good wishes and warm thoughts.  We will be thinking of you, Jay. ***

The morning started off cool and fast.  Even with an 8:00am lazy start, I feared we would get to the hotel so early, they would charge us for the previous night!  And so, it was my intent to loll around a bit at the SAG stop at the 24-mile mark.  Unfortunately, we found out that another highway construction crew would soon be blocking our path, and we all had to load up on the vans and be shuttled a few miles past the obstruction.  It is summer, after all, and that’s when a lot of roadwork takes place.  I was on the last van and an hour and a half later, we would finish the ride with 25 miles on I-90 (yes, the same I-90 that goes to Boston, so do NOT miss your exit, folks.)

By then, it had gotten h-o-t, with temps either just below or just above 100 degrees, depending on whose Garmin you looked at.  And … there was a headwind.  And … it was hot.  And … there was a loooooong climb.  And … there were snakes.  But, aside from all that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?  

I caught up to Jon Dobbs just as we got off the interstate and made it to Wall.  It was still early, so we stopped at Dairy Queen for something to eat and a Blizzard.  Jon had never had one before and he was lapping it up.  “This is quite good,” he smiled, as he finished the last drop.   We can only afford to eat like this when we’re burning a gazillion calories a day.  The other patrons, … um, … do not seem to be bike riders. 

After dinner, at Fat Boy’s BBQ – yes, you read that right – we walked a few blocks into town, took in all the local kitschy faux-old-west stores, and then headed back home.  We have a featured ride tomorrow through Badlands and I have to make sure all my batteries are fully charged! 

Please enjoy these photos of the day and follow along at Where’s Jeff at jeffblye.com