Day 28--REST DAY, Sioux Falls, SD

Day 28—July 16, 2006—REST DAY, Sioux Falls, SD

We’ve climbed 24,087 feet (4.6 miles ) over 670 miles in the past 8 days—the most climbing of any leg so far. This is due to the big climb to Mount Rushmore, the lengthy climb out of Mount Rushmore, and the long rollers into Rapid City and Pierre.

Sioux Falls exists as a city today because land speculators who staked town site claims here in 1857 came in search of the cascades of the Big Sioux River. The city’s namesake rapids are in Falls Park, north of downtown (riders will pass by them as they leave tomorrow) and are lighted half an hour after sunset each night. The waterfalls at Falls Park gush over pink quartzite, which is very rare. It is the second hardest rock next to a diamond.

This was a great and much needed rest day with riders enjoying meals out together at good restaurants (I’m sure none chose to eat at a buffet), the ongoing Jazz Festival, Scheels All Sports store three blocks away, the butterfly house and nature center nearby, watching the Tour on OLN, shopping in the mall across the street, and just kicking back and relaxing. Many also caught up on laundry and cleaned and lubed their bikes, though I can’t say that this was an exciting part of their rest day.

The staff completed their usual rest-day shopping, vehicle and equipment cleaning and restocking, and rider orientation session before sharing an evening meal together. Tomorrow we begin the Northern Tier Tour (Sioux Falls, SD to Niagara Falls, NY). It will be my last week with the tour as I must jump off in Fond du Lac and return home to take care of some family matters.