Distance: ~68 miles -- Estimated riding times (excluding breaks): Fast Group: ~3.75h, Medium Group: ~4.5h, Social Group: ~5.5h).
Climb: 1750 feet, Cat 4, Cat 5 (2) + several uncategorized hills.
Difficulty: Hard, especially if the wind picks up around mid-morning.
In olden days danger waited uncomplainingly at the end of the road for anyone foolish enough to challenge the limits of civilization. Yet, folks frequently pushed the perimeters and many found a new life in an unfamiliar country while some became statistics that historians like to write about. Regardless, the pioneers who survived the extreme prairie hardships paved the way for the rest of us following in their horses hoof prints.
Today trails made by those hoof prints beckon our iron steeds propelled by a magical mixture of muscle power and mechanical ingenuity forming the most efficient machine yet invented by man. The bicycle, according to William Fotheringham’s Cyclopedia: It’s All About The Bike,
is simultaneously a piece of high-tech sports gear, a means of transportation to work or the store, a way of discovering the world, an escape to solitude and nature, a social network that beats any of the virtual variety, and a means of discovering your personal limits …
Route: Start at Oahe Downstream Group Lodge, take an immediate left, go about 0.3-mile, take a left and pedal past the Campground Fee Station taking a right at the “T.” Follow Oahe Downstream Rd toward the powerhouse turning left up the first rated climb of the ride: a 0. 64 mile Cat 5 averaging 2.1% (see below).
At the top of the dam hang a left and recover on the 2.3-mile perfectly flat dam crest while you gaze at the magnificently massive Lake Oahe. Check the water’s surface for telltale ripples, harbingers of wind yet to mix down from higher altitudes as another beautiful summer day unfolds before your very eyes and say a silent prayer that the wind takes a vacation today.
Take a right on 1806 maintaining high cadence and steady rhythm up a gentle rise leading to an unrated humbler known as Gut Check, drop down GC being cognizant of the 5 mph turn at the bottom, put the hammer down across the Emergency Spillway and settle in for yet another unrated short but sorta’ serious climb known as Big Ass Kicker (8-10%).
From the top regroup with your buddies and pace to the first rest stop at Chantier Creek Store at about mile 17.6 where porta-potties, snacks and fluids await. Top off the tank ‘cuz it’s about 11 miles to the next rest stop at the Triple U Buffalo Ranch.
Although several small hills exist on this section of the route a 3-mile Cat 5 climb averaging 2.3% patiently awaits you at mile 24.7. Be sure and save something for the return trip when you get to climb it going the other way back to base camp. Further on down the road your path crosses some of the territory memoralized in the film Dances With Wolves as the buffalo scenes were shot on the Triple U Buffalo Ranch. Keep your eyes peeled and the shaggy beasts may just appear out of nowhere.
A porta-pottie, snacks and hydration drinks, courtesy of First National Bank, provides everything you’ll need to either make it another 4 miles to the turnaround or to get back home. Once refreshed, saddle up and retrace your route back to the Group Lodge recognizing that the last rated climb at about mile 46 – a 2-mile Cat 4 averaging 2.6% -- stands between you and a cold beer.
See you back at base camp where a picnic lunch courtesy of Fisher Rounds can be enjoyed while reveling in the excitement of the rides with old and possibly some new friends.
Hazards: Cross traffic at intersections, 5 mph turn at the bottom of Gut Check (westbound), gravel in Chantier Creek Store parking lot and likely on the road’s shoulder at the entrance, parallel grooves along 1806 at various locations, usually light traffic, rattlesnakes.
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