Distance: ~19 miles, ~1.5-2.5h.
Climb: 450 feet.
Difficulty: Easy - moderate, unless the wind blows.
Without a doubt this route is the Best Dam Loop Ride In The State and possibly the entire country! The Dam Loop is our signature ride and although the other routes may vary this ride will always be a part of any Wellmark Tour de Oahe. However, this ride is only 19 miles and only 450 feet of climbing; but, do not let the short distance and climb fool you as it can seem like a much longer ride especially if the wind blows like it does fairly frequently around here. If the wind does blow, embrace it as your silent training partner and remember: Attitude Is Everything.
Route: Take an immediate left from the Group Lodge, another left at the “T” (after stopping of course at the stop sign), yet another left at the immediate next “T” (after stopping at the sign) and follow out to 1806 where you hang a right and begin a relaxing climb up a nice new road with a smooth surface and wide shoulder. Stay on this road, crossing the dam and turning into the Oahe Dam Visitor Center to admire the view. Leave the Visitor Center and get on 1804 heading south to Pierre.. Now it gets interesting as a gradual but nearly 3-mile long hill, interspersed with a 0.5-mile long flat section in the middle, forms the crux climb for this route where it transitions to a 5% grade near the top of Snake Butte, the highest point reached on this ride. However, you don’t have to ride the entire section in one giant effort, historic and cultural displays frequent the approach to Snake Butte and if you haven’t noticed them before or if this is your first time riding this route stop and enjoy the stories woven into the fabric of this section of the ride.
If you are really adventurous park your bike at the second historic landmark known as the Turtle Effigy and read about the brave Arikara lookout memorialized by a Lakota war party with a stone outline of a turtle. All displays contain gripping narratives amidst a picturesque scenery that begs you to capture on digital for future viewing in the relaxing atmosphere of your camp or home.
From Snake Butte it’s downhill (almost) all the way to town taking a right on 83/14 and cruising into town staying in the right wheel track for safe passage as parallel water drains can wreak havoc with narrow wheels. Follow the WTdO signs through town all the way to Steamboat Park where you can read about Steamboat Races On The Missouri while refueling with nutritious high energy snacks courtesy of Avera, dehydrating and generally enjoying the camaradarie that flows on this ride.
Leave Steamboat Park via the bike trail crossing the bridge on the south side of the highway and feel the rhythm of the river as power pulsates through your person as you pedal back to the starting point. Loop under the bridge and stay on the bike trail all the way back to the Oahe Downstream area. Hang a left off the bike path followed by an immediate right, then another right into the Campground Fee Station, take an immediate right and on to the Group Lodge where a scrumptious picnic lunch courtesy of Fisher Rounds awaits. Congratulations and enjoy, you have arrived!
Hazards: Cross traffic does not stop (obey all traffic laws, i.e., stop at all signs and signal all turns and stops). Parallel grooves in rain gutters in north side of town. Rattlesnakes.
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