michelson trail day 2 – travel cycling
Posted: June 19, 2015 Filed under: cycling, south dakota, travel | Tags: black hills, cycling, michelson trail, south dakota, travel 17 CommentsI’d missed the deluge ( 3 inches of rain in an hour in the mountains means floods. ) In today’s 59 miles there would be several 9 mile descents and instead of mostly open vista’s, the ride would include more canyons and several tunnels.
It followed along and crossed rushing mountain streams,
rushing mountain streams
And Jan kept finding places where the road intersected the trail and surprising me…
My beautiful support team
About 20 miles in, my tire started to flatten, and my portable pump no longer worked. That left me pedaling up hill for about seven miles on about 2PSI ( Pounds per inch. ) Few things equal the annoyance of carrying extra weight almost 100 miles in the mountains and finding when you need it it doesn’t work. But Jan had a pump in the car and at the next trailhead I replaced the tube. I was ready for more long downhills
The start of a several mile descent – my kind of riding, easy to get over 30 mph on the mountain bike
Through tunnels ( mostly short ) ….
It’s a new experience riding when it’s completely dark…
And up to the last meadow before the end. The burst of green aspen leaves is one of my favorite memories.
The view from about 6,500 feet above sea level and the final descent into Deadwood
Near the end… I was a bit saddened… I wish the trail never ended.
Mile 100, I rest my trusty steed for the last nine miles downhill
But things end, even the good ones… and I was left with lingering reminders… I’d lathered on bug spray on my exposed flesh, never realizing the mosquitoes would bite right through my spandex leaving me with 40 itching memories on my behind and the back of my legs
Blue skies and the trail ahead, but bring your bug spray
This is a bike ride that’s worth the effort.
bwthoughts 
I am going to check your posts out. Maybe out of order, playing catch up. I like the idea of Jan surprising you. 🙂
Yes, that was nice – today we’re in Missouri and Jan’s supporting while we ride the KATY trail. I’ll have a post soon 🙂
gorgeous pictures!
thanks – the Black hills are a special place. They are very sacred to the local Indian tribes.
you can feel it
Nice one, Bill! (Jan, too!)
All the recent rains and thick forest foliage contribute much to the mosquito problem, too in those areas, I’m sure.
Wow you’re really laying tracks Bill! Glad you’re enjoying yourself. ❤
Diana xo
too bad I didn’t go fast enough to out distance the skeeters Diana
They are inescapable! Check out this quote!
“You know what’s probably a good thing to hang on your porch in the summertime, to keep mosquitoes away from you and your guests? Just a big bag of blood.”
— Jack Handey
❤ Diana xo
that was me on the trail 🙂
haha, as far as bags of blood go, you’re one of my favourites!
o positive, universal donor, even to ‘skeeters
You are? So is my mom!
It’s always amazing to be part of your cycling journeys. I simply love the pictures.
-Naima
I’m always glad you come along for the ride. If you ever visit, we’ll set something up.
That will be so amazing although I hope I have as good stamina as you to ride the bike in all these places.
-Naima