Jacob Friend
I usually choose not to look at the map until we’ve already completed that map’s section. There was an evening in New Meadows, Idaho when the group was looking at the map together and pointed out a steep descent two days down the road. When describing the sketchy section, Brian said that before we could get to the Clearwater Valley we first had to “fall off a cliff”. Of course this was an exaggeration, but after looking at the elevation profile I was sick to my stomach all the way up until the descent.
Now I’ve decided to protect my peace by not asking questions about our routes until we’re past them. All I really care about is the weather forecast so I can dress appropriately. Otherwise, I believe I can get through any day with enough water, sunscreen, and good vibes. I place a big emphasis on good vibes. This morning was good vibes. We woke up in the backyard of generous hosts with a yummy breakfast and a fun adventure to the badlands in front of us. After getting a group picture, Arielle and Chris wished us safe travels and sent us off.
The group says goodbye to Rapid City, SD
Today’s route was simple, get on Highway 44 and take it 75 miles to Interior, SD, a small town perched at the entrance of Badlands National Park. Vibes on the highway were questionable at the start. There was heavy morning traffic, debris on the road, and an occasional police officer on the shoulder to maneuver around. We were navigating through the chaos with precision and making steady progress for the first 10 miles. But like I do best, I found a way to get a flat tire. This is my 8th flat of the trip and the 2nd time my front tire was the culprit. We pulled into safety and got to work. The flat introduced some bad vibes into the day, but we replaced the tube and continued onward.
It’s hard to maintain bad vibes while you’re on the saddle. It’s one of the things I love most about riding. You’re moving your body, outside looking at nature, and thinking about countless other things. I endured post-flat depression for about 20 minutes. Once the highway condensed from 4 lanes to 2 lanes, tension was eased and I could enjoy the landscape around me as it became more rural. Before long we made it to the Country Corner, a very cute gas station. This was our only opportunity to refill water until we arrived at our campsite in 55 miles. We made the most of our short break by pounding water, applying sunscreen, and indulging in our favorite gas station snack (Fairlife muscle milk).
The Country Corner in Farmingdale, SD
The rest of our time on HW 44 made it very clear that we had transitioned into the Great Plains. As far as we could see were flat grasslands accompanied by very low humidity. This realization was bittersweet for me. I really loved the tall mountains, deep canyons, and craggy cliffs of the West. I will deeply miss the beautiful Western scenery, but as Michael pointed out today, it will be nice to maintain a steady pace through the more flat terrain (wind permitting).
After fighting a headwind for about 25 miles, we took our lunch break in a ghost town called Scenic. This was a much needed break from the brutal sun. We joked about falling through the wooden floorboards where we ate. After smashing calories and installing our makeshift AC systems (wet bandanas under our helmets), we began our final approach to Interior. During lunch the wind shifted nearly 180 degrees, bringing in partly cloudy skies. Now we could ride protected from the sun with a partial tailwind. Immaculate vibes.
Lunch in Scenic, SD (population 1)
The final 30 miles to Interior were the most scenic of the day. We were fully immersed in the Badlands with flourishing prairies, towering buttes on the horizon, and herds of bison playing in the dirt. We jokingly compared the landscape to Arrakis from Dune because of how extraterrestrial everything appeared. All of the beautiful views grew our excitement for our hike in the park during our break day tomorrow.
The outskirts of the Badlands National Park
The tailwind continued to push us along and we arrived at Interior around 4:30pm. With only a population of 94 people, this town doesn’t have much, but a campground and general store is all we need. We enjoyed a picturesque family dinner while watching the sunset on the spiky buttes to our north. South Dakota vibes are peaking.
Sunset in Interior, SD