BrianT USA 2013: Stage 3 part 2, Wall to Sioux Falls, South Dakota

We had the worst food of the trip in Wall. We ate dinner and breakfast at the same fast food joint, it was called Fat Boys BBQ The dinner consisted of chicken or ribs. They both looked awful. The chicken was very pink actually it was raw red. I only ate salad. Been there done that arse squirting stuff on bike trips. 3 of the riders have spent the last 2 days with very upset guts and the last two days have not been easy for them.

We left Wall at 5.30 am on the way to Pierre the capitol of South Dakota, it was just light and the day was 198 kms of riding. The forecast was not good, we were to ride due south east for 100 km then north for 20 then east for 78. The wind was to be 15 to 20 kph from the SE then easterly from noon on. Oh whoopie. We rode a very tight day and arrived at 3pm pretty much stuffed. Dinner was at 6pm and some riders limped in at 6 and came straight to dinner !!

Capitol building Pierre, South Dakota. The Capitol only has 16,000 people and was chosen because because its in the exact centre of the state. Many other towns challenged the decision. Remind you of anywhere else ??

Feel like I'm back in China today. We had 132 kms to ride to Chamberlain and the forecast was for a direct head wind at 25 to 33 kmh. In fact the wind increased to 48 kph and we took 6 hours to get here. Right at the end we had 3 quite big climbs right into the wind. It was a F'ing hard day.

Today I also had to speak to Phillipe the Israeli. He asked if he could ride with us because of the wind and we said yes if he would pull a turn on the front. ( In the past he sits on but will not pull a turn) One hour into the ride and we were doing 2 tight lines but Phillipe kept rolling into the middle of the road and not giving anyone any cover. The wind was howling and I finally got pissed off. I said to him forcefully " Phillipe either ride here " and I pointed at the spot he should have been " Or Fuck off " his eyes widened with shock and he muttered " No you fuck off " and he rode off ahead. We rode past him about 2 kms up the road and never saw him till he rode in to the hotel 3 hours after us looking totally stuffed. The staff described him to us this evening as the most dangerous rider on tour. He is all over the road all the time, and they also took him aside and spoke to him tonight. Pk

We past the half way point today as well today, I guess it's all down hill from here. Haha sure.

We arrived in Chamberlain and relaxed in the hotel swimming pool, right beside the Missouri River.

Note the invisible bridge.

Next day was a very strong side wind. 110 kms with the wind howling from our right. We rode 60 kms then stopped in a diner for apple pie and ice cream. Perfect. !!

Look at that shit coffee I'm being forced to consume !!

Final day before our rest day in Sioux Falls started with a slight headwind then back to a strong side cross head. The thought of a rest day after 8 solid days riding was very inviting too. It was only 115 kms too so seemed quite short. We arrived in town and went straight to a Stone Cold store and consumed ice cream FAAAAAST. The weather is starting to get very humid.

At the riders meeting tonight several of the riders introduced a family member or friend who is joining to ride a leg with them. ( Jimmy, Michael dont you feel bad about leaving me here on my own !! )

Today is day 28 of 50 days and it is starting to feel as though we are flying across the country. We have completed 3 of the 6 stages and the final 3 stages are shorter than the initial stages.

Here are a few photos from the last week.