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.

Sundance then Spearfish.

Yesterday I rode Sundance. I picked a route from Trailforks. Pedaled away from anchor which is always enjoyable. First part was on XC skiing trail: wide and tame except for climbs. Then came logging haul roads. Finally descent with several harsh hike pieces back to the van. Interesting: a race was just completed, there were no routes on TF. Today I rode at Spearfish on trails that were part of the famous Dakota five oh, (50) miles on Labor Day, many riders created race route that were on TF. If the Sundance course was on TF I would had a more pleasurable ride.

Sunday’s storm lighting strikes on dry forest vegetation had potential of fires. B4 I pedaled away several FS fire rigs climbed past me that to me indicating they would soon be facing fire. I smelled no smoke and did not see them deployed.

Drove away for drive to Spearfish, SD arriving middle of afternoon. Interstate driving is just steering, driving is on the 2 lanes. Destination was Tinton trail TH out of town. Found an exposed open area for the night. After dinner a short lived Tstorm passed over dropping hail. Rest of night was calm and warm.

This morning I pedaled away on Tinton trail. I rode here back in ’08. First ride with PUSH tuned shock on my Turner TNT 5 Spot. Realized how much more enjoyable the ride could be. Over the following years the trail had been more sustainable such as moving it on side slope out of the creek. Forest is conifer hardwood mix including aspen, oak, and birch. Tread is moist wood dirt. Single track.

Finished ride noticing temp was rising and now oppressive.

Next up was an interstate jaunt to Rapid to buy locally roasted coffee, drop off my laptop for repair, Disciunt to balance van’s wheels, and groceries. I am a visitor here fitting into the local scene. Grocery store, non chain, was wanting. Produce dept was like after thought. Wheels balanced eliminated front wheels rumble as they needed much weights.

Weather forecast called for severe thunderstorm and high wind starting at 2. I wanted to be anchored off the road b4 it hit. Internet located a free XG near Sturgis back where I came from. I drove to it, I stayed here last time through. Wind picking up at 8PM. Forecast for tomorrow wants strong winds, perhaps too strong to ride in the forest. Facts will be learned tomorrow morning.