Day 15 - Custer SD to Rapid City SD via Custer State Park and Mt. Rushmore, 75 miles, 6750' cumulative climbing

What a day!  The map and profile have to take second billing to the sights on today's ride.

The Black Hills of South Dakota with sun burning off the morning haze

This was an epic day, both for our bike ride and for the sightseeing along the way.  I had originally thought of today's route as a recovery ride, seeing as how it was only 75 miles.  But the trip itinerary mistakenly showed the amount of climbing at 2000', when in reality we were up for 6750' of total climbing.  That's a workout.  However, it didn't seem like it, as the sights and surroundings were just so amazing and compelling.  

On the porch of the General Store with Elizabeth

We had a choice of two routes for today, the full ride of 75 miles, or a separate and shorter ride of 47.  Although the short ride included a chance to see the Crazy Horse monument (under construction still after several decades), Elizabeth and I decided to do the full 75 miles because it included a long stretch through Custer State Park's wildlife areas.  The two rides rejoined paths at the rest stop in the parking lot of Mt. Rushmore.  So lots to see either way we went.

We had to wait for the bison to move across the road and got some very up close looks at the herd.  The males were snorting and pushing the others to get out of the way of the cars and bicycles.  Even though it's their home, they would prefer to just be left alone.  Also we ran across a pack of wild mules, who were pretty tame-acting.  I suspect they've been fed frequently by park visitors because they come right up to car windows and wait for handouts.

Zoom in on the photo looking through the tunnel and you may be able to recognize something in the distance.  That tunnel was built through the mountain side after the Mt. Rushmore monument was completed as a "wow" scene for tourists  The artistry and detail of the Mt. Rushmore sculpture is really a sight to see.  It took more than 12 years to complete, both for the difficulty of the project and apparently for lack of funding at various junctures.  After all, it was during the Great Depression so money was short.  It's worth seeing if you're in this part of the country.
                                                                             

The rest of the ride was thoroughly enjoyable, for the terrain and sights as well as the challenge of big up and down sections.  Switchbacks with 360 degree loops, one-way narrow descents through wooded hillsides, meadows with deer and antelope; we had it all in one day it seems.  And in spite of all the climbing and descending, I did not feel like it was a tough day physically.  Which is a good thing, since tomorrow we have a 147 mile day!