Day 23

Kadoka, SD to Oacoma, SD

• Miles: 113 mi

• Elevation Gain: 3,220 ft

Today’s Ride
After yesterday’s exhausting winds, we were all bracing ourselves this morning — not fully trusting the forecast. But to our relief, today was lovely. It was hot, yes, but with just a slight breeze and plenty of positive energy to get us through the miles!

We rode 113 miles with 3,220 feet of climbing, and the day felt steady and rewarding. The route took us along SD-47 South for 102 miles straight, which meant wide open prairies, beautiful rolling hills, and only two stop signs the entire way. With the wind staying quiet, it was almost meditative — just pedaling mile after mile across the South Dakota prairie.

Highlights

• 🌾 Peaceful prairie views and pleasant rolling hills that kept the ride interesting.

• 🚴‍♀️ The energy of the group as the miles ticked off, knowing that tomorrow we hit the halfway point at mile 38!

• 🌊 Arriving along the Missouri River in Oacoma — a beautiful spot to finish after a long day in the saddle.

• 🥧 Dinner at Al’s Oasis — capped off with a delicious slice of apple pie. After 113 miles, it tasted like heaven.

It’s hard to believe that tomorrow we’ll officially hit the halfway mark of this journey. Each day has tested us in different ways, but today reminded me how much joy can come when the winds calm, the roads stretch ahead, and the only task is to keep pedaling.