Days 20 and 21

Day 20 – Spearfish, SD to Rapid City, SD

• Miles: 76 mi

• Elevation Gain: 5,355 ft

Day 20 was full of beauty and history. The highlight was definitely passing through Spearfish Canyon. The canyon’s walls and winding road made for an absolutely stunning stretch of miles, with a few solid climbs mixed in.

We stopped in Lead, SD, to visit the Homestake Gold Mine. At about 8,000 feet deep, it was the deepest and longest continuously operated gold mine in the Western Hemisphere until it closed in 2002. Today, it houses the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF). Pretty incredible to see this site to see.

From there, we continued through the Black Hills, where the scenery just kept getting better. Rolling into Rapid City was extra special because I was greeted by my parents — such a joy to share this adventure with them! Trek also hosted a lovely reception that evening.

Even more exciting: we’ve officially ridden 1,645 miles and completed over half of the climbing for the trip! Spirits are high, and the rest day couldn’t come at a better time.

Day 21 – Rest Day in Rapid City, SD

Rest day! After three centuries with big climbing days, our group was more than ready to recharge. I spent the day getting a massage, doing laundry, reorganizing my bags, and resting.

Having my mom and dad here has been wonderful. They’ve gotten to meet the riders and guides and share in the excitement, which makes this adventure feel even more meaningful. The best part? They’ll be joining us again in Mitchell, SD on Saturday — the official halfway point of this journey!

And a BIG THANK YOU — all of your comments, texts, and messages of support mean so much to me. On the long climbs and the tough miles, they remind me that I’m not riding alone. Thank you for cheering me on — I truly feel all the love and encouragement from near and far. 💗