The next morning it was to get over 100 so headed out at 5:00am. A lovely ride to Billings, through town to Hardin. Had a flat tire, and while fixing it decided it was an omen. It was now 10:30am and getting hotter. I had 56 miles to go with no services and probably no shade. So, I went back to town found a bike shop, got cleaned and lubed two new tubes, and collapsed at a motel. Spending way to much for the night but oh my goodness, dont make me go out there again. It was 112.
The next morning up bright and early a regular All-American Breakfast at Denney's. It is now getting to be a habit to take the ham and toast and make a sandwitch for lunch. Off to Hardin. Probably one of the top three days so far. A beautiful ride an a back road, imagining the settelers in the area and how they must have coped. Got to Hardin by 10:30 (56miles) and nothing to do but sweat. So made my way to the truck stop, and hitched a ride. I had been warned numerous times about safety concerns in crossing the reservation land. After driving through it I think I probably would have been fine. But I would get through the 70+ miles in one day. The truck driver is named Paul White from Wisconsin. He does the loop every week from Wisconsin to Seattle/Portland. So it would figure that I may be able to get a ride home from him - see how everything works out! I enjoyed the time and stories so much he took me all the way to Alzada. Hwy 212 three miles from the Wyoming border.
Walked into the C-store in Alzada and asked it there might be any shade in town I could pitch my tent under - well..... The clerk ended up calling the owners and they had be come over to their house and set up camp there. I was invited inside and immediately handed a beer - these are GOOD people. I was introduced then to Janet and Bill (owners) and thier friends Vern and Flo. They needed to run out to Vern and Flo's place to get something so took me along. Now this "place" is an old homestead Vern's parents had. So driving out in the scrub, nothing but the buttes off in the distance it was great to hear the stories of the past, and the not so past. Lots of deer, antelope, jack rabbits, and bunnies. Made it back to town, the cook at the bar knew we were coming so had waited for us - small towns. They of course wouldn't let me pay for a thing, and offered me a shower and a bed when we got back to their house. I was glad I stayed in my tent that night. The WIND yes in capital letters. It was soo cool. The tent rippled in the wind but didn't give in which was nice. and no rain or thunderboomers so I got to enjoy it and all the stars. What a beautiful night. I was glad I stayed in the tent because I think I might have gotten blown away without me in it.
Up early the next morning. Decision head wind to Devil's Tower, or tail wind through Wyoming to Belle Fouche, SD. Now really, this is not a tough decision. I took the tailwind. Landed in Belle Fouche by 7:30 am. Did a bit of phone calling and hooked up with my Keystone/Mt. Rushmore connection. Looking forward to a few days off I headed to Deadwood, SD for the evening. Ya know it is always a bit demoralizing to climb up 2miles and only get to go down for one mile. But the down was still awfully fun. 8% grade is always more fun on the down. Did the sightseeing touristy stuff in Deadwood. Now Deadwood was originally named Deadwood Gulch so it would make sense if there was a big hill in there would be a big hill out - there was. But the morning was so beautiful and the rest of the ride an amazing set of ups and downs who cares. It was fun to not have to peddal for every foot of progress. By the way I have yet to figure out or find someone who knows how in the heck they ever got the wagons into Deadwood. It would be an amzing sight to see.
Today, my local tour guide Bill drove me around the Needles Hwy, and Stone Mountain. Tomorrow I will visit Mt. Rushmore proper. I would love to get to see the Badlands but not sure how that will work with the bike. Pretty desolate area. And all Interstate to get there ugh.
Thanks for the emails and updates on your summers. Someday I will again stay home for the summer.