Day 21 - Sunday, July 12 - Lusk to Hot Springs, SD (3443' elev)

Tom says: Heading north out of Lusk, WY, we crossed more of the rolling and seemingly endless grasslands that we saw west of Lusk. But soon coniferous trees were topping the hills. Eventually we were overlooking what seemed a vast lowland with buttes an cliffs all around. We nearly flew down the long slope to the floor of this lowland. A strong breeze from the ESE nudged us north on Rt 18/85.

But when we turned east on Rt 18 it was most right in our faces and it was stiff. We took a break from the wind to celebrate entering our fourth state, South Dakota. Leaving Edgemont, replete with coal trains, we faced a four mile long climb to a plateau with lots more grassland and big hay bales.

It was a good day with plenty of challenge. Tomorrow we visit Mt Rushmore and more big climbs. We are certainly not getting bored.

Ken says: If you look closely you will see a sign that a cyclist dose not want to see when riding. Obviously the truck lane means the road is about to tip up pretty severely soon.

Above are two pictures showing the front and back half of a coal train passing under a bridge that I was standing on. They are unbelievable in length. Two engines in the back and I don't know how many in front.

This kind of tacky but as you can see some local sharpshooter has assinated four of our founding fathers. This seems to be a very popular sport out here.