Day 51: Monuments and Rapid

TREV:
We got an early start, leaving the gear and tent and took just the bikes south on Mickelson to see Crazy Horse. We didn't want to pay and spend the several hours that was recommended at the entrance gate, but we got a pretty good view from the road. What a huge undertaking it looks to be, carving a man and horse into the hillside. It must be since it's taken 64 years since the site's dedication and the nine guys working on it have really only finished the man's head. Next we headed back, packed up, and said goodbye to Mickelson as we headed to Mt. Rushmore.

The road was a lot of up and down but we finally made it and gazed up at a few of the forefathers. I've heard people are unimpressed by the sculpture when they actually see it and perhaps it's due to how far away the visitor center is but George Washington's 20 foot tall nose is pretty damn impressive I think. We took some pics, had some lunch, and did some great people watching while there. The day was really hot and we were glad that the insanely steep and long road leaving was downhill not up. We passed through Keystone, another touristy western town, and started on some country roads recommended by the locals to avoid the climbs on the major highways.

The side roads were hilly and we struggled with the distance and heat but finally made it into Rapid City where we refueled at the Firehouse Brewing Co with flights, dinner, and a plate-sized cookie topped with ice cream. It was nice to see that the thunderstorm warning with the quarter-size hail would miss Rapid City and soon we found ourselves setting up and falling asleep at the local KOA.

STEPH:
I was sad to say goodbye to the Mickelson Trail as we switched to highway on our way to see Mount Rushmore. The climb up was challenging, but we had some Gu and stopped a couple of times for water and before I knew it, the four carved faces were in view. Couldn't help but think of the scene from North by Northwest while we were there - if you haven't seen it, there is a fantastic chase that occurs up on the faces.

On the way down from the monument, we hit 41 mph, definitely the fastest I've ever gone on a bike. I guess I'm glad that we took the side roads to Rapid City as opposed to the more direct route on the highway which apparently had a nasty hill, but man, the rolling hills can really be draining. We saw the scenery change pretty drastically on our way to town, from thick forests to wide open fields of grass and farms.

I was really exhausted once we finally reached Rapid City, my legs were sore and my seat hat begun to ache but the motivation of some good beer (according to my aunt who had just been through) kept me motivated.

The shower at the end of the night felt AMAZING and we settled in for a hot night of sleep on top of our sleeping bags. I laid my head down on my makeshift pillow (clothes in a stuff sack) feeling wiped out but happy knowing we covered 59 miles today making it the most I've ever ridden in a day.