Day 25: Pierre to Chamberlain, SD

Landmark day, we passed the half way marker (in white paint on the road) and we are half way in days. Today we added 83 miles in about 5 hours, as we biked along the north bank of the Missouri. It's getting hotter, and we're getting faster. Quite pretty in places, but often those interminable vistas of a road stretching to the horizon. I biked with Helen (Mum) and Alex (daughter).

Day 24: Wall to Pierre, SD

A long and exhausting day. A good example of the havoc wind can cause bicycles. We had gale force winds from the NW. After 5.45 am breakfast (see Leo and Nan) we biked east and, with the tail wind, I made the SAG stop at 60 miles in about 3 hours. Then we turned north...what a contrast...it took 3 hours to make 20 miles, buffeted, but not beaten, by relentless high winds. Finally, we turned east again towards Pierre (the capitol of SD) and concluded 118 miles in all. At the Missouri River bridge we passed into the central time zone and put our watches forward one hour.

Day 23: Rapid City to Wall, SD

An easier day, only 58 miles, almost a rest day by our standards. I needed it because my knee had some twinges and I rode slowly. We are lucky to have several doctors among the bikers, and a physical therapist, Mike, told me to apply a cream and ice it. Tomorrow I shall need good legs. The scenery is flattening out and the air temperature is rising as we descend from the Rockies. Today's ride was undulating....fun.