Saturday, July 20, 2013
July 20, Stage 14
July 20, Gillette, WY to Custer, SD, 115 miles, 3500 climbing feet, mostly in the last 25 miles. At about 51 miles, as we entered Upton, WY, we passed the airport on the edge of town, and noticed a windsock blowing toward the southwest. We had a 15 mph tailwind nearly all day!! The first 85 miles were pretty flatish, some gradual climbs and descents, but the wind made everyone happy. After lunch at 77 miles and some more rolling flat, we entered South Dakota and started climbing again, but only 3-6% long grades and then sharp descents, all the way into Custer. We did see a huge coal refinery shortly after leaving Gillette, and then a number of coal trains during the day. Our government has been hard at work during the past 10 years in reviving the coal industry--I think that they call it "clean coal" these days. Oil industry is also alive an well in Wyoming. Saw several oilwell pump jacks along the way. For you city folks, pump jacks are those little mechanisms that sit in the middle of a field after an oil rig has drilled several thousand feet below the surface, and go up and down, pumping oil to the surface to be transported by a pipeline to a refinery. My brother, Ray, and I grew up with a father who maintained oilfield pump jacks for more than 39 years in southern Illinois. Got a glimpse of Devil's Tower off to the north of our route, probably 40 miles away. Some are more impressed with Devil's Tower than Mount Rushmore. Amazing how the terrain changed from desert conditions, to scrubby vegetation, to the Black Hills. Went by Jewel Cave visitors's center, but did not stop.
Had first flat tire along the way with about 25 miles to go into Custer. A couple of other riders assisted me in putting in a new tube, in the middle of the 98 degree heat. Had dinner with the 16 year old ("What did you do for summer vacation.") and his father and their friend, all from Connecticutt, and one of the PACTour crew, a 23 year old guy who has crewed on several transcontinental bike rides. These folks put in a lot of work in keeping us all going. Everyone in a better mood today. Amazing how mood can be influenced by the direction of the wind!
Tomorrow, it is the Crazy Horse memorial and Mount Rushmore, staying in Rapid City tomorrow night. Then a straight shot across SD, MN and WI. I need to put a new tire on the steed and go to bed.
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Glad you got some reprieve today. Bummer about the flat, but good to hear that they are some samaritans on the ride such as yourself. Can't remember how old I was when we rode to the start of RAGBRAI, but I don't think I could have done anything close to this at age 16 (or any age for that matter!)
ReplyDeleteYou're heading to Rapid City tomorrow. Kinky Friedman wrote a song about a couple of kids from Rapid City, which he said might be the only pro-choice country song ever written (Dixie Chicks probably have something with that sentiment too I'm guessing). I like that he sings it South Dakoter. Have a good ride tomorrow. Hope it cools off. Say hi to the dead presidents and Crazy Horse.
"Rapid City, South Dakota
Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPv-J_4RyHE
lyrics:
Just a ragged kid in overalls,
He thumbed a ride one day
He said, "Anywhere youre headed on my way."
But as we passed by Big Als drive-in
His eyes began to flash
He was leavin Rapid City mighty fast.
He said, "I hope to God she finds
The good-bye letter that I wrote her
But the mail dont move to fast
In Rapid City, South Dakota."
--- Instrumental ---
Well, he left her just a blanket
Of snow upon the farm
And that dont keep your conscience very warm.
He said his friends were too durn country
And his pa was too damn mean
And there aint no money pumpin gasoline.
And her gentle eyes, the merchandise
Of dreams the peddler sold her
As he left her there in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Now the reason he was goin,
I aint sure I could say,
Mightve been the rodeo in Santa F.
"Theres a doctor in chicago,
I know shell be all right."
He told himself as he stared into the night.
And he said, "I hope to God she finds
The good-bye letter that I wrote her
But the mail dont move so fast
In Rapid City, South Dakota."
And all her people treatin her
Just like they never knowed her
Lord, the winters passin slow
In Rapid City, South Dakota.
Glad you're recovering, Ellery. Yes, it's amazing what a little well-directed wind can do. And not having to head into it on the way out (like we normally do) must have been a treat. Am starting to see you on the edges of some of Susan's photos on the PAC Tour photo blog. We missed you yesterday. Mike B & I rode to Van Meter for some cinnamon rolls from the Farmer's Market. I saw a small gooseberry pie and was able to slip it into my jersey pocket. It's been so many years since I've had a gooseberry pie! Tart and wonderful. You should continue to remember to frequent those all you can eat joints! You need the fuel.
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