South Dakota
May the Wind Be at Your Back….
Friday, September 14th, 2007
As it was for me today.
Today was South Dakota. The state after North Dakota…. I say that because we are constantly working and reworking what state is next and what was last. It is a dynamic challenge.
I want to start by saying thanks to Matt and Jared at Perkins who provided the fuel for today’s ride. It sure helped to keep a good pace today. I even rode over 100 miles.
We stayed just around the corner at a Days Inn, thanks to Nancy and the awesome staff. We even got to play a couple quick, very quick, holes of mini golf. Then it was all business until I fell asleep with my computer on my lap to wake up this morning at 4:30 AM as usual.
The ride- well the ride was fun- it was a point to point. I thought the weather was real cold and didn't want to leave the biscuits and gravy on our plates at breakfast. We finally pryed ourselves away from the table, and away from the Deer hunting video game and headed out for a 100 mile ride through South Dakota in 33 degree weather… Brrr. Coldest one yet. There was some good wind too… Geez- how do people live up there…. you are some rugged people. Even after my adventures on Mt.Rainier, Mt. Washington, and Mt. Whitney, I still thought this was a cold ride.
It was a great ride today. I headed South with the wind and made good time. We were able to get to Sioux Falls in time to enjoy some Applebee’s Salad and phenomenal service from Cody and his team of dedicated employees. This was the best service we received this far on the trip- Geez- Cody even got us extra chicken for the nachos. Thanks- this will fuel me tomorrow.
So after another windy and sunburned and windburned face day- I will retire for the evening to get up tomorrow to tackle ride 29.
Today we had things dialed in and could almost….almost consider it a rest day…except I had to ride 100 miles somewhere in between. We were able to catch up on some things(getting some of our Starbucks coffee ground up- Thanks Teri) and talk to some people we haven’t gotten to catch up with in days (Tyler and Charlotte). I am very happy with our progress this far, and I am holding up fairly well. I also think it is because I have a great team that is helping to make this possible. The rest today is much needed as we have a VERY busy weekend with a 9 hour drive tomorrow and a live event in Missouri on Sunday.
May the wind be at your back too-
Gary G
PS- I spoke with Melanie today and she is doing well after her crash yesterday. She even made a couple jokes about it. Keep smiling and Keep riding. There are two kinds of people- Those who have crashed on their bike and those that will. Welcome to the club.