Tonight's accommodations are thanks to my new dictum: If you're over 50, you're entitled to stay in a motel on 100+ mile days.
During the first thirty-some-odd miles of today's ride, there was no way I would have pictured myself in Hot Springs, SD, by the end of the day. The thought of the family of skunks who I was told like to hang around the airport where I was camping last night kept me a little preoccupied, and the morning headwind had me fantasizing about pickups with room in the back, heading anywhere West. Was it best to try to start up a conversation with someone at a gas station, or would I have better luck looking tired and forlorn on the side of the road?
Then, with twenty miles to go to Chadron, the wind, and with it, my attitude, shifted just enough. The road from Chadron to Hot Springs, with a bear claw in my belly, was sixty miles of good riding. Now the Black Hills...
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| Buffalo basin in the Sand Hills |
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| Last night's tent view |
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| Inside the Gordon Airport |
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| One of many old grain buildings |
Thanks to the Sheridan County Sheriff who had ice cold water in his cruiser!
long day in the saddle=a good night's sleep in a hotel! that's a good rule! have a great day tomorrow in the Black Hills! spent the brunt of my afternoon going over provider compensation plans; that's actually less fun than it sounds... i did run to the top of a mountain this AM in a warm rain; that was fun....
ReplyDeleteLook at you run! Remember--slow and steady. I'll give you a full report on the Mickelson Trail; that might fuel your ultra-addiction!
Deletesounds like a good plan and yes-slow and steady and still a lot of riding (though the rain is back for a few days...)
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