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.

No, the other one, Wyoming.

My laptop is injured not allowing me to open the screen. I’m on my phone for this. This will not be as stuffed w/ words as a result.

So, on Sat I rode the Outlaw trails outside of town for a technical experience. Here there lots of rocks for moves, I made the ones in my wheelhouse, the others were not attempted. This was my 3rd time riding here. The BLM developed a trailhead. The ride goes out a double track to a fence line with a stile now a 4 step stile, previously it was more steps steep and narrow. Apprehension filled me should I be faced w/ previous as I might not make over and back. This time some effort. Trails here are rough and little dirt work, sort of ridden in. Old school.

After ride I drove into Cody for supplies. 25.6 mph.

I let google navigate to Meadowlark ski area. Surrendering routing to digital solution sent me on roads I would not have figured out. Highway  climbing out of Ten Sleep into the mountains climbing and climbing. Big Horn mountains. I did not recall my previous drive. Road shares a canyon curtailing side roads. I sought an open FS xg. Chose Island something. Picked first open site. $10. Chilly night allowing heater to burn all night. Camp was 7979′, I crossed my fingers that the heater would burn at this elevation. Bfast was scratch pancakes as every Sunday’s. I looked out my windshield to see a cow moose maybe 15′ away. Her calf accompanied her. I watched them browse aspen greens, no stripping the leaves, just eat entire branch. Again pics on laptop. They ate for many minutes then bedded down right in front of me. Then they ambled away.

And I drove away continuing climbing. Trees. Steep descent into Buffalo.

At Buffalo the drive became interstate to my destination of Sundance. At the exit I read a sign for heading to mountain bike race. Hmmm? Previous visit a race was going on. And today, that annual race was underway. I scratched my ride to prevent interference. Later I approached the race organizers. One guy greeted me quickly as he remembered my green van and conversation. I’m staying here tonight then ride tomorrow.

I join sister Lynn on Friday. I will ride many South Dakota trails.

I must find a computer repair person and wait repair.

Trails here are cowified meaning cow pies and tread damage.

Enough.