Day 21 Portland to Portland - Rapid City to Kadoka SD

 Rest day is over.  I said goodbye to Kathleen bright and early this morning as she was flying home.  Then a quick breakfast, and then ...waiting.  the guides pushed the start times back by 30 minutes.  2 more people have come down with the intestinal virus that spreading through the riders.  But the rest of us had to get to Kadoka.  112 miles away with 4,000 ft of climbing.

We finally rolled out of Rapid City and quickly discovered the rolling hills that are a South Dakota trademark.  The morning was a long series of rolling hills.  We did have a great descent, unfortunately it was on the shoulder of I-90.  Too much debris and fast moving vehicles to enjoy it.  Lunch was in a park in Wall, SD.  Home of Wall Drugs and 5 cent cups of coffee.

After lunch came the highlight of the day.  We had finally made it to the Badlands.  A former inland sea, the landscape was amazing and looked like we were on another world.  I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

After we left the Badlands, we still had 20 miles to go to get to Kadoka.  A right turn after our rest stop and off we went.  Back to the South Dakota rollers, and....a headwind.  Shouldn't the jet stream be giving us a tailwind!  Word on the street is that we have now left the beautiful parts of this state.  now we just need to get through the next few days until we reach Minnesota.

Believe it or not, Kadoka is NOT known for it's craft beer scene.  That meant resorting to the post ride cooler.  Today i opted for a Leinenkugel Summer Shandy.  It actually tasted better then I remember.  A quick dinner and another Fantasy Football draft.  I had the number 1 pick in this draft.  I got Jonathan  Taylor, Saquon Barkley and Josh Allen with my first 3 picks.  Feel pretty good with that foundation.

Tomorrow is another 100 + mile slog.  100 + degree temperatures.  The Plains States are having a heat wave.