Across America North - day 22 - Hot Springs, SD --> Rapid City, SD
The Black Hills are well named. It was supposed to be a day of long climbs and so it was. I measured 5700 feet of climbing today over 74 miles. Rain for the first two hours raised the anxiety a bit but it cleared for the rest of the day.
Among the many hills was an extended bombing run after Mount Rushmore. However, I followed a car whose driver probably gripped the steering wheel with white knuckles. A car followed that driver a bit close so I stayed away and under 35 mph. Another hill worth mentioning was the one that ended in Rapid City. That one went through a long construction zone with one of two lanes closed. The hill was so steep that I could take the only lane averaging about 35 mph. Only approaching a traffic light did I reluctantly apply the brakes for a right turn. It was great.
The day began with two hours of light rain and clearing for the rest of our riding hours. A heavy rain occurred only at dinner time with us ensconced in our hotel. Then it cleared again and may, with our usual good luck, be the rain that doesn't fall tomorrow. Tomorrow is an easy, short day of only 57 miles going east with an expected tailwind out of the west. This could be great, too.
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