Day 27--Mitchell, SD to Sioux Falls, SD

Day 27—July 15, 2006—Mitchell, SD to Sioux Falls, SD—72 miles—747’ climb 

We were all set to load at 6:45 this morning but someone heard that temps were supposed to reach 110 in Sioux Falls and winds were supposed to blast out of the south at 30 mph . . . so we decided to load half an hour earlier (6:15 am) to allow riders an earlier start. Some were so anxious to beat the heat that they left before breakfast, with me close on their wheels.

Having staffed this ride twice before, I knew exactly where riders traditionally missed turns. Sure enuff, at mile 11.6, despite a big bold DON’T MISS!! on the route sheet, arrows on the road, my van parked at the intersection with me out of it taking pictures and talking to another rider . . . two riders sailed past oblivious. We had to shout to get their attention and turn them around. I hustled to the next oft missed turn. Had just enough time to grab a cup of coffee, mark the road in three places, and park the van at the intersection, before the first riders went by . . . and bye-bye right past the turn, durn! Wonder how some of these riders would do on a self-guided tour?

Because I’ve staffed the ride before, some of it seems like Groundhog Day . . . the SS in Canistota was one of these days. Again people everywhere were building their floats for the annual big Sports Day Parade, big wind and dust in the only place available for the SAG, high traffic at the little corner grocery behind which we set up, riders sailing past in all the confusion, not seeing the Little SAG Stop under the Big Grain Elevators.

Cyclists rode through a couple of sunflower fields and many soy bean fields but mostly the order of the day was cornfield after cornfield (see photo above), the houses few and far between and sitting like small treed islands in a sea of corn. There were only a couple of very small towns along the route. The cornfields in this part of the country are filled with pheasants. We saw many today . . . and yesterday . . . and the day before.

Well, the temp never did reach 110 (thank heavens). It bottomed out at 99F and the south wind at 20 mph, but it was still a tough day for those bringing up the tail who ended up out in the sun and wind until 2 pm. All were very pleased to have a day off.

Tomorrow we will welcome three new riders who will ride the Northern Tier Tour—Sioux Falls to Niagara Falls: Larry Swartz, a veteran ABB-er who is riding a leg a year on his Bachetta recumbent; Catherine Cooley from Hamburg, NY; and John Shea from Silver Spring, MD. 

OVERHEARD ON THE ROAD TODAY: 

*   “Out here they have a name for wind . . . but I’m too polite to say it.” 

*   “This day beat me up. I think it’s the cumulative toll.”

*   “Hoorah for rest days!”

SHOW & TELL: Stu, Abe, Lois, & Annie have named themselves in honor of their usual Lanterne Rouge position in the riding pecking order. This evening they revealed their team tees, the back of which proudly proclaims them “The Final Four” in 3-inch letters.

Annie, Abe, Lois, and Stu of the newly named "Final Four"