Day 22

Rapid City, SD to Kadoka, SD

• Miles: 110 mi

• Elevation Gain: 4,014 ft | 1,223 m

Today’s Ride
Wow, it’s hard to put Day 22 into words. We rode 110 miles with 4,014 feet of climbing, and the theme of the day was clear: WIND. I had been warned about South Dakota winds, and today they lived up to the hype. Bob Dylan’s Blowin’ in the Wind was the soundtrack for my Instagram reel, and it couldn’t have been more fitting. 🌬

From the moment we rolled out, there were side winds — really all day. We even had a 20-mile stretch on I-90, which was a little scary at times with the traffic whipping by. Huge thanks to my fellow rider Rene, who pulled our group into Wall, SD for lunch (and a quick detour into the one and only Wall Drug).

A special shoutout to my parents, Bruce and Jan, who gave me a send-off this morning. Knowing they’ll be there to cheer again in a couple of days in Mitchell, SD — the official halfway point — keeps me motivated.

The Badlands
After lunch, we rolled through one of the most incredible places: The Badlands National Park. The scenery was simply breathtaking — otherworldly rock formations that looked like they belonged on another planet. And then, just as suddenly, we rolled back out onto the open prairies of South Dakota. The contrast was stunning.

End of the Day
Tonight’s home is the America’s Best Value Inn in Kadoka, and dinner was Subway. Not what I’d normally choose, but after 110 windy miles, it tasted pretty darn good. It was a long, windy, unforgettable day — one that left me both exhausted and grateful. The beauty of the Badlands will stay with me, as will the support of my parents and my fellow riders who help pull each other through.