73 miles ridden – 1601 feet climbed.

Today was a really hard ride. The wind was coming out of the south east and we were heading west with a couple of due south sections so one way or another it was in our faces the whole way. However the temperature was great, the sky was clear and the landscape was a bit more appealing than the vast open spaces we have been through recently (at least to start with):

We went through a couple of small but very nicely kept towns but our first target was the town of Canistota where there was the SAG stop and the annual town festival was on complete with children’s tractor pulling competition, fairground, and a parade. This was a slice of real small town America – very genuine and very welcoming – we were all quite captivated by it. Within 5 minutes of arrival we had forgotten the 6 miles of unmade gravel road we had just ridden on which says a lot.

I can’t over-empahasise the friendliness we seem to experience everywhere we go. I am sure that we foreigners (Brits, Aussies, Israeli, German, Dutch)  are very rare visitors in these towns so there is always a few seconds where we are not understood because of our accents but once that is out of the way long conversations begin. 

The only thing missing from the parade was the theme from American Graffiti. The whole town seemed to be out including a group of Mennonite guys (similar to Amish but not so strict) and of course everyone knows everyone.

I stayed far too long in Canistota and as a result when I got back on my bike my legs started screaming at me but it was worth it. Still only 34 miles to go.

And what a slog that was. The more tired we got, the stronger the wind became. Long gentle climbs with a headwind and a rubbish road surface can sap the enthusiasm out of anybody and these miles seemed to last forever. But head down and switch off and soon enough we arrived in Sioux Falls.

Tomorrow is a rest day and I have already done my washing so am very self-righteously set up or a lazy day.

Another segment complete – 650 miles. The trip seemed so slow when we started and now it seems to be flying past.