My Tour De Kota Ride

[cosc]

This 6 day ride was fun, but some tough stretches too. My mileage for the week was 407 miles. The first 2 days the temps were in the 90's with stiff winds thankfully mostly in my direction-but when it wasn't I earned every foot. The 70 mile days drained me as my longest one in training was only 53 on cool days. The third day I was reveling in a downhill section with a tailwind and missed a turnoff. I eventually found a alternate route after talking with a local. That same day was the hardest stretch of the week with a crosswind that about blew me over a few times. Day 4 started with waiting out a storm in my tent. When the rain slowed down I broke camp and got on the road just in time for the next soaking of rain on a pot-holed road. I had a flat from a staple in my tire just as I finished this drizzly ride. I arrived early afternoon at our destination-the Hilton , a college dorm. Thankfully they still had a cheap $13 room left. The 50 miles wasn't anything compared to the 10 trips I made up to the 3rd floor that day. Did I ever need a night to dry out tent and clothes. The college had a wonderful free meal for us that evening. Our next 60 mile day had a few more rolling hills to our destination of De Smet where Little House on the Prairie gal, Laura lived as a young girl. I enjoyed seeing some landmarks her father had build and where the family had lived. The last day was the most beautiful, with more rolling hills, lakes and dams. My knee started talking to me the last 25 miles but I took some Advil and seemed better after a bit. I went on this trip by myself and rode with others a total of about a hour. I've not trained with people so a tour isn't a good time to learn the skills needed for close group riding. I definitely rode at my own pace and easier gears to avoid aching knees. My mph did seem to improve each day though. The hardest part was lugging luggage and putting up the tent on the days I was kinda wiped out. I had a great time and met some cool people. It was especially fun to met Hammer, a TE girl.

[Mr. Bloom]

Well Done!

Is that one of LBTC's butterflies that you're wearing?

[Hammer]

Yay!! Good job!! It was fun meeting you too. Riding with other people does help break up the monotony. But I know what you mean, it can be hairy if you're not used to it and when a person gets tired distances between bikes can decrease. I'm okay for about 50 miles or so by myself. But after that I get a little stir crazy and anxious for company. It sounds like you really enjoyed the tour.

Hope to see you next year!!! Thats a great pic of you.

[short cut sally]

Great job and accomplishment. Was this a benefit ride or a tour to see the country sights?

[cosc]

This was the 3rd year of the ride across SD, put on by a newspaper in Sioux Falls.

[KSH]

WOW! That's great! Thanks for sharing!

Oh, I have that bike jersey.

[Jiffer]

That is so amazing! You're my hero!

Did you really say your longest training ride was 53, yet you rode 407 over a 6 day period? Have you done that sort of ride before?

How's your "hoo ha" doing?!!! I must ask. I can't even imagine. I'm nervous about how my hoo ha will do on the tandem for my first 100 mile century, let alone 6 days back to back ... 407 miles. At least you get to move around on a single and adjust more than I do on the tandem.

You must have such a huge feeling of accomplishment. Good for you. And as I say to all cycling gals as I see them about town (yet they never hear me) ... "YOU GO CYCLE GIRL!!!"

[cosc]

Jiffer, yes I have done multiday tours before, but this was the first one by myself. Last summer I did a 6 day tour that did a different loop ride every day which was nice because you only set your tent up once. No getting your belongings to the truck every morning. My saddle and bottom did not get along as well as I hoped. I ended up with a little abrasion and will switch my butterfly to my liberator saddle for my next tour. I used ch. butter, but wasn't sure the expensive stuff helped. I normally don't use the stuff. I can see where riding a tandem would be more problematic. My hubby who only rides a few times a year never has a sore bottom. He would get frustrated with all the butt breaks I take if we were on a tandem. Good luck on your century!

[cosc]

This is Hammer and her friend I met on the 1st day of TDK. They look great to be just finishing the last leg of their century.