Dakota

I finally made it to South Dakota!  I slowed down a bit through Iowa to spend time with friends and family along the way.  I did my best to lower the overall quantity of beer, steaks, and delicious wine in the state and like to think that I made a significant impact.  Surprisingly after closing down the bars in Iowa City with my cousin I still managed to get up and on the road 5 hours later and pound out 83 miles in the Iowa hills!  What can I say, I am a professional :)

It was great to spend time with Ben, my cousin in Iowa City.  I literally shot him a message out of the blue and ended up staying an extra day.  In Des Moines I had possibly the best steak that a restaurant can serve with my Aunt and Uncle.  Its nice being back in an area where its safe to order beef in a restaurant and not be disappointed.  The scallops on the other hand... they were ok.  After Des Moines I took a nice 60 mile bike path north west towards Okiboji.  Great trail, but damn are the bikers there pertinacious asses.  Only 1 in 5 would say hello, and when I stopped for lunch there was a group of 8 eating at the Subway too.  I parked the bike said hello to them, one guy nodded and the rest just looked the other way.  Normally my bike with all the gear is a great conversation starter, but apparently their spandex cycling panties were on just a bit too tight.

Fought a 20-30 mph head wind for two days trying to get to Okiboji and had to cut Beresford out of the trip because I just didn't have the miles in me.  Sorry to those I missed seeing, i would have loved to but being on the bike does limit me a wee bit and I am horrible at guessing when I will be at a specific location.  Okiboji was great, spent the morning out on the lake then hit the road again that afternoon.  I camped about 50 miles from Sioux Falls between a small grove and a cornfield.  It was great listening to pheasants cackle in the field and to recognize the rocks and fauna in my camp. 

The last 40 miles into Sioux Falls the next day was nice.  It was weird coming into town, and it took me most the day to truly realize that I was in Sioux Falls and that I had in fact pedaled there.  To come into town on the bike and recognize streets and landmarks was a great feeling!.  Had supper with my best friends parents, Linda and Ron Joseph.  I made it 2 steps in the door before Ron questioned my heritage :)  some things never change and I really could expect that he would improve in his old age.  Great people.  I wrapped up the evening with some great beers at Monks with Joe as we planned our ride towards Pierre starting Sunday.

The ride from Sioux Falls to Madison was great, the fastest 50 miles I have ever done.  With a 20mph tail wind I was able to maintain 26mph on the flats without any effort.  It took me 3 hours to cover the same ground it took me 8 hours two days before when I was fighting the headwind. Riding into Madison was another trip :)  Seeing the old place and how little the town has changed since I left 5 years ago.  Of course AT&T doesn't work there so I couldn't call Jon to have him meet me for lunch, so i figured I would just go to the Stadium and use their phone.  I walked in the door and recognized another old friend and had him call Jon to let him know I made it.  Gotta love a small town :)



Drinking with friends last night telling old stories not only made me feel a bit old, but reminded me of some of the greatest times in my life.  Drinking on the front porch as summer storms came rolling in, playing scrabble with stolen bar banners, wheelchair jousting, the worlds worst working pickup line (involving thirsty monkeys), singing classic songs like "The Only Gay Eskimo" and "Rich Young Dumb Nymphomaniac" into the wee hours of the morning after the bars sent us home.  Sitting on the steps of the house I used to call home smiling to myself as the memories rolled through my mind today I was once again reminded how lucky I am to have found so many great friends at every turn of my life. 

Cheers to you my friends