Day 15 & 16 - Rapid City to Murdo to Mitchell, SD

Catching up on the last two days and almost 300 miles - fine 294 to be exact!

Sunday - Day 15 - Rapid City to Murdo

Today was the longest mileage so far - 149 miles and a measly 3,180 feet of climbing. We started out with a very large group and one could have said at mile 31 ish that this was going to be easy - not so fast - the group broke up after the first stop and that left 7 of us. We got a really kick butt double pace line going - it is when two lines of bikers get moving out and just keep cycling through like a continuous chain - totally fun! So at lunch we were averaging about 19.3 mph. Before we left town though, there was this kid that had a back pack on, regular shoes, panniers laden with stuff - looked like about 70lbs of stuff! He was keeping up with us until we hit a hill. As I came up to him, I slowed down - I wanted to know this kids story! He apparently started in Seattle 16 days before - only ONE day before us and with all that stuff! Amazing - his name is Ben and he was headed to NY. Of course, I wanted to know more, what was driving him? Why this route, Why - job? adventure? etc.....but no time ( I know Sue M - just worry about myself but I'm curious!!)

We went through the Buffalo Grasslands - so cool - lots of grazing animals, deer, horses, antelope, and of course cows.

Bad, Bad, Bad Bad Lands - you make me feel like I'm in another world (ok, use your imagination and that's to Bad Boys). We went into Badlands National Park - I've never been there and I can't even begin to tell you how amazing it was - it was mystical - magical - and just far out! Check out the pictures - they were so amazing to see all the different formations. After my yummy lunch burrito - we had a climb out to contend with - wouldn't be PAC without a climb after eating.

Paul was sweet and indulged us to take some cool pics over the cliffs into the Badlands - they turned out cool! We also passed a historical site of the old prairie homes and all I could think of was Laura Ingalls Wilder and Almanzo - remember that?! So I had that theme song in my head for bit - Paul didn't let me stop to take pics here....sniff sniff..

Sorry to say this Sue B (TX) - but the Long and Winding road came to mind (actually for both days). We had a hellacious cross wind for both days and I swear I've asked for forgiveness but the Lord sent a plague of GRASSHOPPERS!! They were everywhere! They would jump from your wheels and the wind would throw them back at you - landing in my helmet, hitting my face - yep lips too! They would bounce of my arms and in between my legs as I pedalled - ewwww!! They were very irritating and where ever present for at least 75 miles! I had all manner of there spinney prickly legs stuck in my helmet. I felt sorry for them at first since they were being killed but by the time we got in - I just wished them all dead!

When we finally got in all I could think of was the pool - ok I started thinking about that around mile 90. But, once in - I had to prep my bike for the next day, get my bag to the room, change my clothes, shower, wash my clothes in the tub and use the luggage rack as a dryer and set it outside - OH and today Susan made us banana smoothies with protein mmmmm....good! I thought that would be my dinner since I had a massage but instead got some chicken and veggies to go from the Buffalo restaurant. BTW, I did get poolside and it was refreshing - I actually felt like I was on vacation! Swimming felt good too, different muscles - ahhhh!! OH when I went to get ice (no not for the bath tub!) There was a 4 week old puppy named Charlie in the lobby of the hotel and I scooped him up and let him kiss my face ( I was salty afterall) and cuddled and cuddled him till he squirmed away from me - boy I miss my family! Craig, Zera, Boz - where are you?!

Day 16 - The long and windy road.....

Ok, today was a LONG day! Another 145 miles, I couldn't keep up my group on the climbs so at mile 51 - I hurried up at the stop and told them I'm going ahead so they didn't have to wait for me on the climbs and have to waste their energy 'protecting' me. (I hate when folks have to wait for me! Plus, when you are working that hard to stay with the group, your not taking care of yourself - I need to stretch my back a lot and just couldn't) So, off I went and actually felt better since I was taking care of myself. I got to lunch and they had my fav - Hebrew International - so I scarfed one and was about to leave when Susan and Paul came in - they didn't look so good - did I mention we had the same crazy wind as yesterday. Unfortunately, I couldn't wait because I would become stiff as a board so I kept on going. Everyone was having a heck of a time today - the heat was bad, the wind and the mileage all played a part. I made it to the next stop and saw a few of the strong guys there suffering from the heat too. I re-iced my bottles and headed out - Susan wound up riding today and started just about mile 110 (she's one of the owners and only gets to ride when she can) BOY was I glad - she helped me so very much to help block the cross wind and then we caught Cynthia and all three of us came in together - to give you a perspective on how much it helped - alone I was going about 14.9 (yes, embarrassing but true - you try it!) with the three of us we could get to 17ish mph.

So my theme song for today was - (please sing to the Stu song from Hangover http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ9zSq8kJ-E )

Slog, Slog, Sloggie, Slog, Slog - if I get knocked over by heavy cross winds - then I'm sh-t outa luck!

I had another appt. with my BFF Jonathon and I thought I would come off the table - my legs were tight! He helped a lot and got the majority of the knots worked out.

Again, love the comments - I have been taking a cold bath after my shower, seems to help - will try the ice thing but that seems like a lot of work!!! I won't sass you Sue - but I will scream your name even though I know it's good for me but it hurts like heck!!!

BTW - current stats - 1,769.64 miles, 64,331 feet of climbing, 98,270 calories burned (I just wish I knew how many I was taking in!!) xoxoxo

Some pics for you!
the morning line to get your bags in first and your butt in the saddle and out the door! (this was 6:30am)

Me and my Badself in the Badlands (yes, it's a double shorts day)

Horses - the two to the far right were playing but my camera doesn't reach that far to capture it so awesome!
Ok, where are the houses to these mailboxes???

Road through the Badlands park

The landscape of the Badlands

Susan and I

this really weird toilet that I stopped at, makes you think - where is that water coming from?? ( I swear I flushed too---hmmmm....)

Paul has had it - plague of the grasshoppers, crosswinds, putting up with 'gotta stop and take a picture!'

Today (Day 16) Me, Susan, Cynthia - FINALLY made it in - yeahhhh!!!

Can you say stiff cross wind?!!

Crossing the Missouri River

Rural Farm - much of the countryside today

Cute church