Saturday, July 17, 2010

AAN Day 27 - Mitchell to Sioux Falls, SD

Daily Statistics:
Mileage: 72.7 miles Average Speed: 14.7 mph
Vertical: 1426 feet Depart: 6:33 AM Arrive: 11:42 AM
Calories: 4550

Link to Garmin ROUTE DATA.

It would seem that yesterday and today would be similar stories. The mileage was about the same, the vertical climbing is similar, and the scenery was also similar (mostly corn farms and such). It just seemed a lot harder today. Perhaps it was that it was more hot and certainly much more humid. In addition, the wind was directly against us for a couple of stretches, and never really helping. Several riders I spoke with thought it seemed harder.
There was not a lot noteworthy to photograph, so I looked for what I thought a South Dakota family farm should look like. Here are two samples for you to check out.


We did go through a series of small towns (Alexandria, Emery, and Canistota) before we got on state highway 42 for the last 25 miles or so into Sioux Falls. It is a little busier than the back roads we have been on, but still empty by most urban standards. At any rate, everyone was in fairly early. Sioux Falls is a city of about 175,000 (huge by SD standards), so I hope to find something interesting to check out tomorrow on our day off. We don't seem to be in the center of things, and I don't like to get on the bike on off days, plus it will be hot and muggy, so we shall see.

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