Today's Report:

Great morning...we planned an early breakfast at 5:45 to beat the heat, but some opted to eat at the motel at 6.  Most everyone got on the road in good order and we were off for another day of riding.  The route was a lonely road out into the rolling grasslands and the terrain was much prettier than yesterday's high desert...it was nice to start seeing more green.  Even with all the grassland, it is still really dry out here.  The fire hazard signs say "Extreme Danger" for grass fires.  One good bolt of lightening or a stray cigarette could ruin thousands of acres of grassland.  Last year we had to dodge a range fire to get to Hot Springs so we know how tenuous it is to live out here.

Yesterday took more out of people than they thought, but the cool departure temperatures, light tailwinds, and a drop in the terrain put some life in their legs as they were riding a pretty brisk pace by the first SAG.  I spent most of the morning bouncing around taking photos of the vast open spaces while trying to get good composition with a rider somewhere in the frame.  This area really lends itself to some awesome snapshots.  I'd like to just have that job...take photos and just see how many great ones I could take in one day.

We kissed Wyoming good bye today at about the 55 miles point as we entered our 4th state...South Dakota.  The only thing that we noticed was the road got a little narrower in places and we picked up a few more hills.  At right,  a couple riders pose while I take the obligatory pictures of the entry sign (I heard that Vince's wife wasn't sure if he was on the ride so I made sure he was in the photo).  In years past, the sign was filled with bullet holes...they must have put up a new one or had someone put liquid putty in the holes so we wouldn't get the wrong impression upon entering their fair state.  Or was it the impression they wanted us to have in the past...Hope they don't shoot at cyclists.

All in all, it was a pretty uneventful day.  Everyone seemed to move down the road pretty well and even the big climb after lunch didn't seem to slow anyone down.  We did our usual water stop 6 miles from lunch after everyone got up the hill.  Karen went forward and Jeff and I sat at the top filling water bottles for the last 14 miles to the motel. 

We were lucky with the weather too...the temps are still pretty mild for this time of year...only about 85 today.  With the mild temps we get easterlies for winds...we'll take the mild and deal with the winds as long as they don't get too stiff.  Tomorrow we ride to Mt Rushmore...maybe our second toughest day so far but plenty of neat sights to see.  There will be lots of climbing and it's going to be hopefully mild again.  The riders are looking forward to seeing the monument and riding the Black Hills.  It should be a good day...see you then.

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