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.