Today’s ride was “only” 73 miles but we expected heat and humidity so we started early. I was on the road by 6:40. We were greeted in the early going by a dense, cool fog. You could see 100 yards or so (three telephone poles) which was just enough to ride quickly. The cool, humid air was bracing and infinitely preferable to the blazing sun. We were all hoping the fog would just stick around but, of course, it burned off as the sun rose. By 9:00, the fog had disappeared but high cirrus clouds kept us from the direct rays of the sun.
We stopped in Canistota to buy some groceries and relax for a spell. On a cool, clear morning in rural South Dakota, what do the locals do? Have a tractor pull. I always thought of a tractor pull as two tractors pulling against each other. The Canistota version — part of a statewide contest — was a bit different. This was a tractor you pedal while pulling a dead weight behind. The weight “digs in” so the farther you pull it, the more resistance it generates. We entered Science Mary in the women’s division. Science Mary is very strong but she was no match for the locals. Science Mary pulled the weight 15 feet; the winner pulled it 18 feet. Just wait ’til next year!
Generally, the day went pretty well until I had a flat tire about 60 miles into the ride. I changed the tube, only to find the valve was broken and wouldn’t take any air. About the same time, Digital Bob showed up. Digital Bob has two (digital) cameras mounted fore and aft on his bike. He’s programmed them to take a picture once every minute. (Every time I pass Bob — which isn’t often — I smile and wave just in case the aft camera is about to shoot). Bob helped me with another tube and then took off. I finished up and then started off again — only to see Bob headed back my way with a flat tire of his own. I thought it was only be polite to stop and help him since he had just done the same for me.
Now we’re in Sioux Falls and tomorrow is a rest day — which we’re all looking forward to. South Dakota was supposed to be easier than Oregon, Idaho, and Wyoming, but the headwinds and heat made the crossing just as difficult and perhaps more uncomfortable. We’re looking forward to turning north and finding cooler weather in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ontario.
Day’s distance: 73.2 miles (117.8 km)
Average speed: 14.5 mph (23.3 kph)
Day’s climb: 1,000 feet (304.8 meters)
Total distance: 2,076.6 miles (3,341.9 km)