Day 25 Pierre to Chamberlain, SD 84.8 Miles with 2637' of climb.

Today marks the 1/2 way point on our ride with this being day 25 out of 50, and the half way mileage was at the 1st sag at mile 25.3. 

The day started out at 58 which was real nice.  We loaded the luggage at 0630 after breakfast at 0600.  There was a slight west wind starting out and the 1st 25.3 miles were due east so we had it at our backs.  The ride out of town followed the Missouri River and it was very wide the whole way that we followed it and the road was smooth with a good shoulder.  The air was fresh and another great day to be outside and riding a bicycle.  Everyone was talking today about the half way point.  We can't believe that we have been on the road for 25 days and have passed mile 1825 of the 3650 total for our journey.  ABB had the pavement painted with this mark at the 1st sag and we all stopped and took pictures to capture the half way event.  While at the sag stop we were at a farmers hay field and he was out hauling hay and his dog was at out stop and wanted to play fetch with a flattened beer can he had.  He was a 3 legged Australian Sheppard and he could really run on 3 legs.  The farmer stopped and said that he would do this all day as long as some one would keep throwing it for him.  I think almost everyone petted him and some threw his an for him..

After filling the bottles and snacking we were once again off.  The route had lots of rolling hills today and the wind blowing the grass along the side of the road made it really peaceful and relaxing.  After 48 miles we turned to the south and once again had a cross wind.  Compared to the head wind of yesterday the crosswind was a breeze.  The road was really rough as the expansion cracks in the pavement were deep and it really kept you on your toes and shook you bike as you went down the road.   We passed a farm that had the American flag flying on one of the fence posts and I thought it was appropriate to take a picture of old glory waving in the breeze.  The next rest stop was at mile 61 which was in the lot of a grocery store on an Indian reservation.  There was a casino across the street with a few cars at it when we got there.  When we left this stop after a peanut butter and jelly sandwich the road had pot holes in it everywhere. You had to really pay attention to make sure you did not hit one as you would have an unscheduled dismount if you hit one.  After about 7 miles after leaving the rest stop we began the 1st of 2 climbs out of the river bottom to the area above on the bluffs.  We climbed or about 2 miles on the 1st on and the view of the river bottom and the valley below was breath taking.  I stopped and took several pictures looking back down the valley and at the rolling hills on the climb up.  About 1/2 mile from the top the box truck ( this is the term for the luggage truck) was there to fill the water bottles once again, as it was starting to get warm and we had another climb after the top of this one.  I had my bottles filled again and got to the top and fought the cross winds and then went along the top for a few miles and began the decent back down to the bottom where there was now a lake.  The road was still rough on the downhill and the cracks really were rough going downhill at 25MPH.  After getting to the bottom we rode along for a short time and then started the 1 mile climb out of the bottom once again to the top of the bluff.  After this climb it leveled out and we went for a short time and then began the decent once again into the town of Chamberlain, SD.  I got there at 1pm got my room key and we all went for a bite of lunch as the luggage truck was not in town yet. 

After lunch we were back at the hotel and 10 minutes later the truck arrived and the luggage was unloaded and then everyone headed to their rooms with luggage to get cleaned up.

I think tomorrow we have about a 75 mile day and then another 70 something and then another rest day in Sioux Falls.  I said it before but I can't believe how fast this journey is going.