July 2, 2016
Day 30 - Spearfish to Hill City
Wondermous day, yesterday - -
Got up at dawn and left at 6:30 for the ride up Spearfish Canyon,
It really is stunning with high walls and the creek running alongside.
A 2000-foot climb doesn't seem that much any more.
Early riding. Lots of shade and very little traffic.
After an ice cream break at Cheyenne Crossing - and old corner store, now hip - I took a back forest road up thru Hanna - no traffic and the creek shrinking down to a rivulet. Then two big ridges to cross - the first on dirt. Huff. Puff.
Once I got over the second ridge, it was mostly downhill to Rochfort - and well deserved for this bicycle rider. The old saloon at Rochfort was packed. I found a spot on the front porch in the shade. Chatted with a bunch of folks and watched the town border collie chase reflections in the street. Tough work. Spent the better part of three hours.
Then hopped on the Mickelson Trail - unpaved, but pretty good - followed the creeks, then a long uphill haul over a ridge before coming down into Hill City and a zillion tourists. I had a Subway sandwich and check out my trusty forest service map. Found a chunk of USFS land a mile out from town - up a big climb - and had a panorama with zero folks for my campsite.
Today's ride: 61 miles (98 km)
Total: 1,426 miles (2,295 km)
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