I left Rapid City  with repaired computer and a full tank of diesel. Next stop was Nebraska, Chadron area. Nebraska is rather thin for mountain biking. Chadron was what existed. Windy drive over non interstate roads seeing more while driving and about 60 mph max. Van still sends out sound that the replaced alternator didn’t eliminate. I am still seeking a shop that is able to read the transmission fluid level.

So Nebraska. I made my route go thru the state with intent of another ride in state. I found the Pine Ridge trail on TF outside Chadron SP. Drove up steep narrow road to TH. Hmm…. grassland. Located van in shade of 1 tree, temps in low 90s. I oriented the digital maps then took of to walk some of the trail. Right away numerous cow paths competed with the trail sporadically marked by wooden posts with a short band of paint at the top end. I followed out a ways then became confused with where trail went. Seems I should put my phone on my handlebar to be able to navigate more closely than every now and then removing it from my shorts pocket. Assessment of trail is just cow paths. I spent the night then left in the morning not having ridden in the state. I was tossed as to do I ride here for myself or for boasting to the public. Somewhere here was my only ride in the state back in 2008.

Next up was Cheyenne, WY and Curt Gowdy State Park. At Cheyenne with internet access I google transmission repair shops and laundromat. I called several shops and drove to one, all were not able to snake a dip stick into the transmission. I drove to laundromat that reviewers said was best in town. Google maps led me around to the establishment. It failed to measure up to its reviews. I am wearing clean clothes afterwards. From there I drove out of town passing  Curt Gowdy SP to enter FS land and dispersed camping in assigned spots only. Stutter bump road out then tank traps to an empty spot. 7858′ elevation.

Next morning, Friday, I drove back to Curt Gowdy, paid $12 out of state admission, then drove to main mountain bike TH. This ride will be my 4th visit. I selected a route from TF, the grand CG tour. Area is spotted with numerous weathered granite slabs ad uprights. Decomposed granite tread plus solid. I concentrated keeping my effort below threshold to some success. Trail intersections were all marked. I kept watch on TF. I missed an intersection, my mistake. Again, phone location. Blunder cost me many feet of hoisting my bike up steep steps etc. Corrected blunder via other trails. My effort was suffering. I cut short the tour riding just, I haven’t uploaded the ride.

Mid day foraging and changing from sweated riding clothes. I needed coffee beans. I found a roaster in Cheyenne and let google maps find it. Another head spinning route. I failed to find it at its address. I open the site only to see it was closed anyway. Sheesh. Moving along, I google FT Collins, just coffee beans, selected one then let maps navigate. Down town. Bought beans.

Next destination was cousin Susan and husband Don in Lakewood, CO. Route went down l-25 where I suffered thru several full stop backups. So many vehicles, such long back ups. Made Susan’s driveway as maps sent me. Susan and Don welcomed me in. They fed me and supplied family interaction. I spent the night in their driveway. Next morning I rode with Don to the railroad museum where he volunteered his time. The library hosted the all day event. I immersed myself in railroad history with many steam engines and wooden rail cars, all of what was state of the art back in its days. I visited with an 82 year old man. Don scored ride tickets for seats on rail car pulled by steam engine. A woman ahead of me getting on the car called me by name and said her name, it was Hailey, daughter to friend Tom back in Spokane. She said she recognized me by voice and person. We hadn’t seen each other for many years.  Ride over Don and I returned to his house. This evening a celebration of family birthdays would take place. Susan and I are same age, me being a few days older. They have 2 married daughters who each have 2 kids. Dinner with many fixings. Susan baked an angel food cake and iced it with 7 minute frosting which is a tradition from our shared grandmother. I got to lick the icing bowl clean. My mother, Susan’s aunt, made same cake for all of my families birthdays. I carried tradition forward back when I was living in Spokane by making the same. I learned the icing making.

Spent the night again. In the morning I doubled my scratch pancake recipe ( Sunday breakfast) to share with them. Licked clean plates.

I bid adieu heading to Buffalo to ride. This will be a repeat visit. I scored an open campsite where I stayed my first visit. Again, picked a 12 mile route in TF. I rode the FS stuttered dirt road to start of Little Scrapping loop. Nice single track on decomposed granite and slabs. Starting elevation was 7828′ climbing from there. I passed the filled TH yet shared the trails with maybe 7 people. Aspen are progressing to full population golden leaves. I pedaled with discipline for an hour straight. I took a break but after I resumed climbing my body was not smiling. Work. Reached high point then trail dropped twisting and turning. Decomposed granite is squirrely, berms were firm. Another missed intersection sent me past where I wanted to be but the trail was going down so it was cool. I finally stopped to orient myself. I even put on my corrective glasses to read fine details. I saw I was passed the trail I wanted but retracing back was more uphill than I wanted. I saw by continuing I could catch a trail that would drop me down onto the road I was camped on requiring several miles of slight ups and downs. Once pedaling I learned how beat I was as I needed to walk some of the hills even pedaling in the 28X46 baby gear. Elevation and distance took a toll. 17.2 miles climbing 1909′ taking 2 hrs 43 mins moving uphill, flat, and down. I did it, it was more than I wanted. Better navigation decisions. Recovery time 66 hours.

Spending night out here. Tomorrow heading out of mountains down to Colorado Springs. I figure to find a transmission shop there for fluid check. I am planning on heading west on US 50.

It’s 9:30 at 7828′, side door is open, 64 degrees, September 29. Dry here also. Fires are allowed in established fire rings.

Enough for tonight. Internet not strong enough for pics.

Monday day time:

Friend Steve is recovering from crash that left him with broken collar bone and ribs.

So, catch up for what remembered and interesting.

Computer repair was 1 day past promise date. Flexibility in schedule and destination.

Friday I rode at Sturgis under the interstate to climb Alkali Creek thru numerous poison ivy patches, the leaves of three are bright red. Up then down and around the mountain hide away city reservoirs then up Bulldog to connect for descent of a piece of Centennial trail.

Pretty much typical of tree cover

Back to van then off to Lead, SD to meet sister Lynn and husband Bill.  Late dinner in Deadwood finished off with sleeping in grocery store parking lot in Lead. First in a long time. Sat morn I finished drive to the cabin they had short term rented. Sat and Sun were tourism days for their vacation. Deadwood was a booming gold mining town in its past, Homestake mine. Drove to view Devil’s Tower back near Sundance, WY. My entire lifestyle was sidetracked during our visit. Mon I broke away to drive to Spearfish to ride the trail system on the other side of the interstate.

Tuesday morning was parting company as they continued their vacation and I drove away. Drove Nemo rd to Rapid, that was driving. Picked from many rides around the city trails at Big Bend. 1 lane dirt rd to small parking area at start of Bones Up trail. Some leaves have moved through  the fall process to drop at one end of spectrum, other end still vibrant green. I selected a route which was posted many times. Nice woods trails. Newer trails, some carved by mini ex. There was a long FS jeep road climb back out. 2 hour ride. Was worked. Slept where I started from.

Today, Wed I drove into Rapid City to wait for repair completion. Got the call it was ready. I was shown the damaged parts that were replaced. Paid the bill. Opened the screen hearing a clicking sound. Seems tech does not have a standard sequence. Back up stairs to fix. Good to go.

Out of town down rt 79 4 lane highway buffeted by flag standing straight out head wind. Destination was Chadron, Nebraska. I found a ride S of town, Pine Ridge trail. I was told where the TH was. Arrived at TH. Hot, temp was low 90s all day. I positioned myself under a tree for welcome shade. Too hot to ride. I did go for a hike following trail in TF. At start trail was marked by a round pole every so often. This is grassland forest and range cow grazing. Many cow paths competed with TF. Out and back. I followed the poles till there were no more or I was off the trail. While TF recorded a rider’s data, the on the ground location conflicted. Seems rider rode cow paths. No cows. On my return I missed the climb out trail in confusion of cow paths. Navigation will be a challenge. It was too hot to ride afterwards. Ride would be all cow paths. I rode somewhere near here on my one and only Nebraska ride. Once is enough.

Riding was good in South Dakota.

73 degrees at 9PM.

Tomorrow down to Cheyenne, WY where temps will be in upper 80s, maybe too hot to ride. It’s Sept 25th, way hot for time of year.

I will try another time to load pics.

Yes, very windy, airport at Rapid recorded 56 mph gust in wee hours of yesterday. I’m 30 miles away for reference. 2 nights ago I let my wind speed device show a 22mph gust which made me lean in. I have no assurance my device is accurate. Speed is a number, I feel the effect. My van jiggled throughout.

Forecast called for winds to abate yesterday morning which bode well for a ride in the 7th Calvary trail system access right out of campground. I set out about 9, wind speed breezy. Trail parallels l-90 in places maybe 200 yards separated me traveling at 6mph from 75. Cattle land, which came first: bikers adopting cow path or bikers building and cows using?

Mix as trail enter the forest w/ little cow feed. Conifers. Followed a route from TF. Tread was good dirt w/ scattered patches on sand from sandstone rock. Oak trees prodigy littered. Cow shit throughout, if cows did not walk the trail they crossed it, both cases their digestive results were deposited. Last leg of ride went over above into headwind. Good trail system w/ many route options.

Blue jays strident calls.

Drove into town for groceries. Chose local chain store. No seafood. Good produce selection and quality. Produce plastic bags were in a roll that left the bag open, pulling 1 off the page was already open  no struggle opening. I saw perhaps store people that I approached to compliment their bag solution.

1 bicycle shop in town open only today in afternoon. Many motorcycle shops as this is Sturgis, home of motorcycle rally.

Thurs laundry in Sturgis. Forecast calls for wind alert till this afternoon. Air appears to not be carrying solid particles to breathe. It’s the power of the wind affecting effort and sticking to chosen line. I will make this a rest day.

Yesterday I switched out the 30T oval chain ring for the 28 to make pedaling less effort. Did the swap outside in 70s sunshine, breezy, with bike still on the fork mount attach. I pedaled a bit to assure parts were in correct place and tight. Seems less effort. Revel designed bike for 32T that I never used. Chain ring size affects suspension under power by relocating the CBF instant center. I will experience the change that I might not detect for easier pedaling. Proof will be in tomorrow’s ride on the other side of the interstate. Trail goes thru tunnels underneath the traffic.

Color change seen in red color of sumac pinately compound leaves . Cow shit is still brown regardless of season.

Computer repair shop called yesterday w/ status: fixable, ordered parts, anticipate Tuesday complete. This is again on phone.

I plan on leaving here Wed morn heading to CO. I have been working TF, Google maps, Rand Mc, and calender for time and location management. I will travel to a ride in Nebraska, will be the second in the state. The other one was at Chadron that gave me 3 flats from thorns in short distance, back then i rode tubes. I patched 2, on the 3rd i pushed my bike home. Today tubeless with sealant to be tested if thorny. I do have plan B of a tube w/ slime in and better protected from punctures inside my hydration pack.

Report from naturopath is my guts have healable issues, it is just money.

Clothes cleaned a put away. Nice facility. Same washers I encounter elsewhere.