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We were like horses to the barn today as we rode our 76-mile ride into Rapid City with a rest day tomorrow. Tired after three days of 100+ mile rides, we were ready for a day off the bike. Sadly, the day included significant climbing along the way meaning our day would be longer than we had hoped with a lower average speed than anticipated.
We set out from Spearfish with mild temperatures in the morning topping out in the low to mid-80s in the afternoon with the first 20 miles a slow but gentle grade uphill through the Black Hills National Forest canyon. The scenery was spectacular with towering and imposing walls on either side of the road. The grade was enough of an incline that we rode slower than usual averaging about 12 miles per hour.
Somewhere around mile 20, we started the first of our many climbs for the day. The first was the longest, but also the lowest grade. One thing that I discovered on this trip is that – while I don’t love to climb – I don’t hate climbing and have the leg strength and physical fitness to manage the climbs. This has surprised me because I’m not the strongest rider on the trip by a longshot. I’m not pushing the pace on any of my rides and enjoying that I’m feeling good at the end of each day and not struggling when it comes to start the next day. The climbing prowess served me well today given that we had multiple climbs. They felt a little harder with each climb, but none felt insurmountable.
The afternoon brought some relief from climbing with a gentle downhill for the last 20-30 miles. We rode into Rapid City on a bike path for the last 7 miles to our hotel somewhat on the outskirts of town.
Tomorrow is a much-needed rest day for the body and mind. Given the proximity to Mount Rushmore, many are taking field trips to see the impressive monument. I’m hoping for a slower start in the morning and a relaxing day catching up on emails, blogging, videos and just life. I’m particularly excited about my 90-minute massage at 4:15 and having a day to just ‘be’. The trip is amazing, but it’s always nice to have a day without a tight schedule where you can do what you want.
On the top of my list is to find somewhere with good coffee. It’s been a relatively dry trip as it pertains to coffee with us relegated to hotel coffee as a result of our early morning departures or lack of decent coffee shops within proximity to where we are staying.
I’m particularly excited about an upcoming visit from my husband and my daughter when making our way through Minnesota. I will see them on Tuesday – less than a week! My daughter has watched every episode of every season of ‘Survivor’ and has tried to convince me to become a contestant. I realized this morning that family and loved ones visiting us along the way is somewhat like winning a challenge on ‘Survivor’ and seeing family. Of course, the major difference is that no one is voted off the Portland to Portland traveling island.