Top Ten Things To Do In Leadville While Tapering (i.e., Shedding Fatigue In Preparation For The Mt. Evans Hill Climb Race On July 21)

1. Acclimate at 10,152 feet while taking short rides around Turquoise Lake and Leadville.

2.  Road Trip to Independence Pass (12,095 feet) down to Aspen (7900 feet) and back.

3.  Sample a scrumptious salad at the eclectic Tennessee Pass Cafe, a bountiful breakfast at the captivating Showdown Mountain Bistro or dine at any of the other several semi-standard eating establishments anchored on Harrison Ave (aka Main Street). Splurge and treat yourself to a unique pizza pie at High Mountain Pies.

4. Connect at the Public Library or one of the numerous free internet links offered by the Leadville Chamber and catch up on the Tour de France, again.

5. Visit Cycles of Life Bicycle Shop, again.

6. Oogle Sawatch Backcountry's gear and photos, again.

7.  Clean your bike, again.

8. Do The Rack, again.

9. Walk your dog on the Mineral Belt Trail, slowly.

10. Practice patience (i.e., read a{nother} book, take pics, savor simplicity).

WTdO Dam Loop – 19 miles

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.

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/65841838

Wellmark Tour de Oahe - 35 miles -- To Chantier Creek Store and Back

Distance: ~35 miles, ~2.5 - 3.75h.

Climb:        740 feet, Cat 5.

Difficulty:   Moderate but can feel long if there’s a head breeze coming back to base camp.

Designed for those who successfully completed the Dam Loop last year.  This ride has a little bit of everything to keep the ride interesting.  Expect long flat sections where you can put the hammer down to short but steep hills that string the pace line out all surrounded by a nearly pristine prairie panorama that rivals the best South Dakota has to offer.

Route:  This medium distance ride follows the same route as the long ride except it turns around at Chantier Creek Store and rolls back to the Oahe Downstream Group Lodge.  One rated climb, a 0.6 miler averaging 2.1% wakes you up at about 2 miles.  After crossing the dam and taking a right expect two short steep hills (5-6% and 8-10%), though unrated, no doubt you’ll give them your own rating by the time you crest the second one.  Pace yourself and enjoy the ride; it doesn’t get any better than this.  

After refueling and dehydrating at the turnaround rest stop roll back toward the dam continuing on 1806 past the dam face turn, stopping at the stop sign and continuing down a short but very steep hill.  Take a right at the bottom of the hill and head toward the Oahe Group Lodge, take a left at the fee station road, then the first right, grind up the last little rise and park your bike at the Group Lodge where a picnic lunch courtesy of Fisher Rounds Insurance awaits.

Hazards:  Cross traffic at intersection does not stop. 5 mph turn at the bottom of Gut Check, some parallel furrows in the seam sealer, low volume traffic, rattlesnakes.

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/65842784

Wellmark Tour de Oahe: 68 miles To The End Of The Pavement (On 1806) And Back

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.

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/64215186

Profile: Jim Dial, Owner of Pedal & Paddle Bike Shop

Nearly 15 years ago Jim Dial became the owner, operator, chief mechanic and bicycle guru at Pedal & Paddle bike shop located in downtown Pierre, SD.  Featuring cost-effective Raleigh road bikes as well as a variety of comfort, hybrid and mountain bikes Pedal & Paddle has something for just about everyone. If Jim doesn't have your dream bike in stock he can order it and it'll be here before you know it.  Jim will assemble and tune your new bike to fit you, not conversely like those big box store bikes where you must fit the bike.

Therein lies the rub, sure you can buy a bike cheaper on the internet or at Walmart but neither of those two outlets have any mechanics, let alone a knowledgeable, experienced one like Jim who takes personal pride in making sure that the bike you buy from him is the right bike for you.  Take me for example, following hip resurfacing surgery I decided road biking made more sense than my then love of mountain biking and Jim ordered a frameset on a closeout fall deal and over the winter he ordered and installed the gruupo I'm still using and that was over 5 years and 20,000 miles ago -- all I've replaced is the chain and the rear cog on my Shimano Ultegra gruupo -- and there're many more miles left in it.

So, if you're in the market for a new bike or just want to make sure that your current ride is tuned and ready to ride the Wellmark Tour de Oahe this June 30 take a spin down to Pedal and Paddle, you'll be glad you did.

Training For The Wellmark Tour de Oahe

Although challenging weather conditions continue to make it difficult to find the motivation to train for the Wellmark Tour de Oahe, the weather should make a drastic change for the better starting tomorrow.  Saturday's weather in the Pierre area should be perfect for cycling -- not too warm, not too cool, but best of all light wind.

Pierre riders plan to meet at the convenience store on North Euclid at 9am Saturday with riders of all abilities welcomed.  Our motto: We leave no behind behind means that someone will ride with you regardless of how early in your training program you may actually be.

It matters little what kind of riding fitness you possess. What matters is that you start and there's no better time to start than now.  If you stick to a decent training plan that incorporates the features outlined here, you should be in good shape to tackle whatever distance suits your fancy come June 30.

Post-Cycling Muscle Soreness

After a particularly good ride, or, perhaps a prolonged effort into the wind (like my ride home yesterday) you might experience some soreness in your leg muscles.  According to Dr. Gabe Merkin, an avid cyclist, some muscle pain is a good thing indicating you just had a decent workout.  Dr. Merkin recommends going easy the day after a hard ride until the muscle soreness dissipates before resuming a vigorous workout regime.

Record Registration for Wellmark Tour de Oahe

As of today registrations for the Wellmark Tour de Oahe, now in it's second year, continue at a record-setting pace. Currently, we have received over 60% of the 150 paid rider registrations and expect that number to increase quickly as word gets out about the upcoming June 30 ride staged near Pierre, SD.  Already we have riders registered from as far away as Montana, Tennessee and Wisconsin as well as Iowa, Nebraska and, of course, South Dakota.

For a mere $35 through June 1, you'll receive registration for one of the 3 rides (20, 35 or 68 miles), two meals (delicious pre-ride dinner Friday night and satisfying post-ride lunch on Saturday), all snacks and energy/electrolyte drinks, a breathable T-shirt and other swag items.

On June 1 registrations increase to $45 and registrations close for all fee-based rides on June 27.

In addition to the paid rides we have planned a free Family Fun Ride and a free Kid's Strider Bike Challenge Course.  These activities although free still require registration by following the instructions posted on the website.

So far >60% of the self-imposed limit of 150 riders has been met -- these folks are training and looking forward to a great ride. There's still room for you to join us. Don't delay, sign up today!

Don’t Worry, Be Happy: Train With A Power Meter – Part II – Results!

One way of looking at power meter training might be the following analogy. How much would you spend to get a 15% increase in gas mileage in your current vehicle? If you drive about 20,000 miles per year at $4/gallon (might go much higher this summer) a 15% increase in mileage would save you over $500 per year. Remember that number.

Since starting training with a power meter on July 28, 2011, coached by Carmichael Training Systems’ Expert Coach Clayton Feldman I’ve gained nearly 15% in my Functional Threshold Power (FTP) – with much of that training performed indoors in good old SoDak. Defined as the average wattage produced at Lactate Threshold (LT), FTP is the Gold Standard for power meter testing.

Impossible to fake, FTP is your base aerobic fitness level and the only way to increase it significantly is by structured interval training at or above your LT. The only efficient way to interval train is with a power meter. Likewise the only smart way to train with a power meter is to hire a coach from a reputable organization and follow his workout instructions exactly.

Do these things: buy a power meter, hire a coach, follow his instructions and prepare to be amazed. Add in motivation, commitment and nutrition, all parameters within your sphere of influence, and you have derived the equation for personal improvement on the bike. Now, if you also happen to possess two genetically-determined variables, namely Talent and Trainability, you have all the ingredients necessary for a successful bike racing recipe.

So what does all this have to do with gas mileage? You can think of power training as analogous to improving your vehicle's gas mileage -- for the same amount of effort, i.e., heart rate, you get more power as measured by the power meter quantitatively in watts. An instantaneous read out on the headset conveniently mounted on your stem keeps you training in the proper zone for the prescribed time to achieve optimum results.

Don't Worry, Be Happy ... Train With A Power Meter! Part I

Do you worry about whether or not you're training hard enough, or, if your recovery rides are easy enough? Or, if you are like I used to be you don't concern yourself with the incidentals, you just want to ride your bike (as much as schedule, weather and physical limits allow). Most recreational cyclists I know simply ride their bike, picking up the tempo on the hills or during select sections of infrequent group rides. Although this routine builds endurance it doesn't do much to build strength. In order to build strength you have to do intensity, i.e., intervals. By riding intervals, preferably almost to failure, the leg muscles gain strength through predictable physiological improvements. But, how do you know how hard to do the intervals?

The Old School methods involved either a heart rate monitor or RPE (Relative Perceived Exertion), both measures of input, not output, as thoroughly discussed in Alex Hutchinson's latest book, Which Comes First, Cardio or Weights?: Fitness Myths, Training Truths, and Other Surprising Discoveries from the Science of Exercise. In order to measure output you need a New School method (i.e., power meter). The power meter incorporates metal strain gauges either in the hub or crank arm, readout on a headset (which can be downloaded for precise quantification of output, i.e., work) and is reproducible from one workout to the next (regardless of the route, weather conditions, your temperament, etc). The most useful measure of output (work) is watts (power) and power-to-weight ratio (Watts/Kg) is the single most important quantification of climbing and overall riding ability as detailed in Training and Racing With A Power Meter by Hunter Allen and Andrew Coggan.

As Allen and Coggan explain, simply bite the bullet, buy a power meter and start training smarter. Their book provides a cookbook approach to power training and can be useful to determined riders. Another way to go is to hire a coach at the same time you buy your power meter. A coach comes in darn handy, he walks you through the steps required to get the power meter/website wired and he also serves as your mentor, assigning workouts, analyzing power files and passing judgement on your efforts.

As my coach always says, "You've done the hard work. You get to enjoy the results." The hard work he's referring to are intervals and the enjoyment comes from seeing your average power numbers increase in response to your training.

Part II: The Results

A New Year’s Resolution: Wellmark Tour de Oahe Bike Ride

The American New Year’s tradition includes making and, for most of us, breaking one or more New Year’s Resolutions. Many resolutions seek a particular outcome relating to one’s figure and involve something very general along the lines of “I will lose weight” or, “I’ll be more active” or a similar unspecified goal.

Unfortunately, without a specific goal in mind, the resolution frequently gets lost in the day-to-day realities we all face. When 2013 rolls around it’s likely they will have been all but forgotten and you will be the same old you that you were when 2012 started.

Well, things can be different. Instead of a simple declarative statement, consider setting a goal, make that a stretch goal – one that requires effort on your part – and then resolve to achieve that goal. One goal could be to get your body in shape to take part in the Wellmark Tour de Oahe bicycle ride scheduled for June 30, 2012.

Basing out of the Oahe Dam Downstream cabin, the Wellmark Tour de Oahe provides enough challenge to satisfy everyone’s fitness goals by featuring 3 rides of increased difficulty, a 20-mile Dam Loop, a 38-mile spin up 1806 to Chantier Creek or a 68 mile ride north on 1806 to the end of the pavement and back. All of the rides combine scenery and safety as adequate shoulders and mostly smooth surfaces follow the Mighty Missouri through a historical and cultural prairie panorama.

In addition to these rides two new activities will be featured -- a short Family Fun Ride in the Oahe Downstream area and a Kid’s Strider Bike Challenge Course complete with ramps for young kids to test ride Strider pre-bikes and experience the unforgettable joy of balancing on two wheels.

The Wellmark Tour de Oahe builds on the success of last year’s Tour de Oahe that saw the limit of 70 registrants ride and socialize on a near perfect day. In 2012, Wellmark’s primary sponsorship allows the Tour de Oahe Committee to double the number of paying riders to 150 (not including the Family Fun Ride and Strider Ride which will largely be amenity-free but at no cost). Registration information will be available soon at www.wellmarktourdeoahe.com.

As you sit at home this winter watching your favorite TV show or surfing the net on your new Kindle Fire, think about how much better you’d feel if you got up and started moving. Pierre has a variety of exercise options including structured indoor spin classes at the YMCA and Anytime Fitness. Choose one that fits your schedule, sign up and start spinning your way to fun and fitness or simply do it on your own. Regardless of the route you choose, before you know it Spring will arrive and we’ll be riding outdoors in preparation to achieve our goals set for the Wellmark Tour de Oahe. Please resolve to join us.

DISCLAIMER: IF YOU ARE NOT CURRENTLY PARTICIPATING IN A REGULAR STRENUOUS EXERCISE PROGRAM CONSULT YOUR PERSONAL PHYSICIAN BEFORE ENGAGING IN THIS OR ANY OTHER STRENUOUS EXERCISE REGIMEN.

Tour de Oahe, Saturday, July 9

Approximate cost: $25 per adult rider. Details under development...
4 rides of increasing distance, Family Fun Ride (2-5.6 miles), Dam Loop (22 miles), Dam Loop + (37 miles), Metric Century (62 miles).



New roads, smooth shoulders, low traffic, Lewis and Clark Trail, great camping, kayaking and swimming.
Red Willow Band playing Oahe Speedway on Sunday, July 10.

Contact: randy at oahesailor@gmail.com

Facebook invite:

Iceboating On Oahe

Though only a light breeze wafted across the ice the big boat tugged at the rope in my hand like a thoroughbred pulling at the reins. Not quite sure what to expect I cautiously slid into the cockpit, angled the front blade off the wind, sheeted in slightly and quickly accelerated to cruising speed. Shore became but a memory as the iceboat sped across the ice. Soon I tacked clumsily and regained speed as we raced back to West Shore Boat Ramp on the face of Oahe Dam where the real iceboaters patiently waited their turn at the helm of the impressive vessel.

My brother, Dick – recently transplanted from Rapid City, and his son Sol, a Pierre resident, stood on the boat ramp looking somewhat approvingly at my inaugural performance. I handed the “reins” to my brother and watched in awe as a symphony of wind, ice and balance played out before my eyes. He matter-of-factly stepped onto the back runner and, as the boat started to move, stood motionless like a captain on a sailboat surveying the horizon before settling into the cockpit, sheeting in and flying across the ice. He artfully tacked, scarcely losing any speed, and reached back toward us momentarily before arcing into a jibe that seemed to pick up speed on the turn. Then, he was gone, a solitary sailor superimposed on a featureless surface as he zipped toward the other two iceboaters whizzing across the frozen wasteland.

These relatively new iceboaters, John Koch and his 14 y old son Brad, combined have about 6 y experience compared to the decades of my bro and his son, but what they lack in experience they more than make up for with enthusiasm. And, boy are they enthusiastic. Each with his own skimmer, a much smaller boat than the DN but designed to maximize fun, safety and learning, they tacked and jibed their way across the ice near the face of the dam while curious onlookers parked on the dam.

Earlier this winter, before the Great New Year’s Eve Blizzard covered all good ice with snow, they both had sailed on a private frozen pond east of town. Then, everyone waited for ice wondering privately if they’d ever get to sail again this winter. Storm after storm pummeled the Pierre area covering any newly formed ice under an unsailable blanket of snow – great for XC skiing but lousy for iceboating.

Luckily, a timely February thaw appeared on Friday, the 11th melting the snow and making for sailable conditions. We met after work at West Shore where light winds and soft ice greeted their sail-starved eyes. Undaunted they rigged and Brad, the lightest sailor in the group, caught a few rides before calling it a day in anticipation of a favorable wind forecast for Saturday and even stronger winds for Sunday.

When I drove down to the dam Saturday morning the big boat, piloted by Sol, cruised below the Mid-Dakota pumphouse while the distinctly smaller skimmers plied the ice closer to West Shore. Grabbing my camera and heading toward the silent sailors I quietly marveled at their brisk movements across the ice.

Instantly, Sol appeared bearing straight for me skate flying as he sheeted in and ripped across the ice missing me by less than 10 feet. Pass after pass, first by Sol, then John, gave me ample footage for a Youtube video. Sol stopped and informed me that his GPS registered 28 mph, not bad considering the wind was only blowing about 14 mph. The sailing continued for the rest of the morning until light winds and equipment failure necessitated a return to town for repairs.

Curious about why they like to iceboat, Sol responded:

“Iceboating is a great rush. To be propelled along by the force of the wind is sheer delight in any craft, but the raw speed and acceleration of an iceboat is a singular experience. The boats respond to the simple controls like sports cars. Pull the sheet, and steer off the wind, and they launch like they've been shot from a canon. Sitting a foot off the ice amplifies the sensation of speed, and the g-forces as one accelerates through a jibe are exhilarating. Flying a skate on a reach at 30 mph, and watching objects on the distant shore come into focus as the boat rips along is as good as it gets. It's like riding off the rails in a roller coaster. It's a high performance experience available to the common man.”

Already windy at my house by noon on Sunday I drove to West Shore to find the big boat becalmed. Soon the wind arrived and Sol shot out of the bay flying back in a strong gust that propelled him an impressive 42 mph on the GPS. Soon Dick climbed into the cockpit and made a couple short runs then disappeared behind the jetty and didn’t return. Walking up on jetty for a better view I saw the boat sprawled on the ice like a wounded goose -- a mast shackle stay failed in the strong wind. Thankfully he was only about 100 yards from shore affording a fairly easy rescue before loading up and heading to Oahe Marina for burgers and to plan our next adventure.

BIKING BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK

UPDATE: Movie added

Yesterday amidst sunny skies, nearly 50F ambient, dry pavement and breezy NW wind my brother SAGged us while my wife and I rode from The Pinnacles Overlook, situated at the western terminus of the Scenic Loop Road, to the Visitor Center and up to Cedar Pass and back to the VC for 23.5 beautiful nearly vehicle-free (3 total) miles of sheer heaven. The intense feeling of euphoria of being mobile on a bike for the first time in months bordered ecstasy. My helmet cam captured over a GB of action -- to view Part 1 click here.

Enjoying South Dakota's Winter Wonderland

Effortlessly and silently we gingerly skied down the bluff and onto the wind-blown snow smothering the frozen lake. Around us lay a muted landscape paralyzed by winter’s fury. Ahead our destination beckoned.

The snow was perfect as we focused on the kick and glide motion so natural to cross country skiing. Although we were skiing within sight of my house situated on the tableland above Okobojo Creek, a scant 20 miles north of Pierre, we could just as well been traversing any of the high country lakes that both of us had skied many years ago.

My companion was none other than bicycling visionary Jim Books -- in town for the South Dakota Bicycle Coalition’s Annual Bicycle Summit meeting. Together we have well over 70 years of cross country skiing experience. Yet today was the first time we skied together, and to top it off, we were right in my own back yard. It just doesn’t get any better than that.

According to Wikipedia, “Cross-country skiing (commonly abbreviated XC skiing) is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles.”

That simple definition scarcely scratches the surface of XC skiing. Recreational XC skiing ranges from bushwhacking, using a diagonal stride on waxable or waxless double camber skis, to skating on short slender streamlined affairs using ice-skating movements with double pole plants, to backcountry touring on single camber metal-edged telemark skis. Telemark skis are matched with stiff boots for controlled turns while descending and fixed with synthetic climbing skins for easy ascents. XC ski racing is a different animal requiring incredible aerobic fitness, select gear and technique.

At the time of this writing I have XC skied over 20 times this winter season and all but one have been out my back door. While the nearest groomed XC ski trails are in the Black Hills, the Pierre area provides several opportunities for XC skiing of the bushwhacking variety. On Sunday, January 23, my wife Michele, and nephews Sol and Zach met at Oahe Marina for a XC ski tour along the river and through the campground.

As we left the sheltered confines of the parking area and glided toward the river, the snow changed from powder to a wind-blown crust along the jetty at the river’s edge. Cresting the jetty, a squadron of Mallards erupted off the fast flowing river and Zach, an obsessed middle school-aged hunter with a minor preoccupation with bicycling, called out in sheer ecstasy.

Sol soon took the lead, breaking trail over Black Hills quality snow and looping through the campground and back to the vehicles. Sol’s athleticism showed its youthfulness as he literally ran on his skis leaving a cloud of snow crystals floating in the slanting rays of slowly setting sun.

Meanwhile Michele pointed out a mouse scurrying along over the snow while Zach monitored a hawk flying overhead. Later, when we re-grouped and re-nourished ourselves on bountiful burgers and beverages at the Oahe Marina, Michele noted that they’d seen 3 bald eagles while driving in to the parking area.

These eagles, obviously well habituated to the presence of humans and motorboats, arrive in the fall following the migrating geese and always depart in the spring returning to their northern nesting grounds. Apparently, lack of available forage forces the eagles to disappear each spring. However, one determined pair annually add to a nest along river on LaFramboise Island but have yet to stay and lay eggs.

With a history dating back to prehistoric times, XC skiing provides an inexpensive and enjoyable way to experience winter along the Missouri River. Locations that see XC skiers frequently generally include Hilgers Gulch, LaFramboise and Farm Islands and just about any open snow-covered area in Griffin or Steamboat Park.

Although quality XC ski equipment can be purchased over the internet, to actually handle the gear up close and personal requires a drive to Rapid City or Sioux Falls. Equally, basic information on XC ski equipment can be found on the ‘net at ORS and also at REI.

Since there’s still a lot of winter left, take a walk, er, a glide on the slippery side and come out and join us for some fun. We meet at Oahe Marina every Sunday at 2:00 pm and ski the flats around the campground, sheltered from the wind and with a cup of hot chocolate waiting for us at the restaurant when we’re done. Not only will you have an pleasurable experience you will also be one morevweek closer to spring and biking, fishing and all the other fun outdoor activities we do in the Pierre area.

Snowboarding South Dakota

Sometimes Mother Nature feels sorry for us flat landers and decides to brighten our day in oh so many ways: shovelling snow drifts, digging out stuck 4x4s and more as winter's icy grip tightens on the Northern Great Plains. My most recent day-brightening experience involved snowboarding on the Lake Oahe bluffs.

This winter's combination of snow, already the season's average at 28" and wind direction dumped a pile of snow on the face of the dam. A brief thaw a few weeks ago followed by another 6-10" of the fluffy white hexagonal crystals created a perfect sliding surface for snowboards and probably other recreational snow tools like telemark skis, sleds and toboggans. Since my telemarking days are long gone the venerable snowboard allows me to achieve the gravitationally-induced euphoria so foreign to us prisoners of the prairie.

I'd scouted the snow a couple days earlier while returning from town after a morning's swim and was convinced that the snow was boardable (i.e., deep enough to cover all the usual hazards including the erosion riprap at the road's edge). So, while enroute to town to attend the social gathering of the SD Bicycle Coalition Annual Summit Meeting I stopped the van donned bibs, boots and clicked into my board and sat on the guardrail waiting for my wife to drive the van around to take up position to video the run. With Michele in place I dropped in.

Though a far cry from heliboarding the Bugaboos, the bluffs along Lake Oahe make great downhill runs.

Short Winter

Unseasonally warm temperatures ordered us out and on our bikes for a dam loop+ ride yesterday. The 22 mile ride felt so good that we might have to do it again today.

Lance Armstrong Twitter Ride: Sioux Falls, SD

My twitter dream ride came true last Friday when Lance Armstrong tweeted at noon on the 28th: "One other thing Sioux Falls... Let's ride! 4pm Twitter ride. Let's meet at 23rd and Cliff Ave." However, instead of just me and Lance it seemed like the entire SD bicycling community showed up to ride with Lance -- had to be at least a thousand roadies waiting for their chance to ride with The Man.

My wife, Michele, and several friends lined up about 40 minutes early to have a chance of getting to the front of the line before the lead group established an insurrmountable break. The strategy worked flawlessly as Doug H. and I cautiously cycled along in the draft being towed by an invisible force that emanated off the lead rider, Lance Armstrong.

From 23rd and Cliff we headed north en masse turned right and things got interesting immediately as the lead group mostly stood and powered up a not insignificant double hill leaving most of the rest hopelessly way, way behind. The pace quickened as we headed east out of town and after another right turn we encountered a quartering head-breeze (during his talk later at AVERA Lance remarked that it was a windy ride; but, the crowd unanimously disagreed) that drained most of my hill-climbing energy being situated on the far right side of the lead group (had I known a bigger hill was fast approaching I'd have settled for the draft inside the peleton).

Anyways, the hill arrived and the lead group mostly stood and powered up leaving me alone as others, including Doug H., sped past fast on my left side. I finally managed to catch another rider, drafted briefly regaining energy and led the two of us in a dash for the pack. Thankfully, the lead group slowed for a right turn and we tucked in, secure in the leeward side draft, as we exchanged small talk about the event which quickly came to close back at the new Avera Cancer Clinic.

I made a movie of the videos captured that day and invite you all to turn up the volume and marvel at The Man doing what he does best.

Lance Armstrong Twitter Ride -- Sioux Falls, SD

Earlier today Lance Armstrong tweeted:

"One other thing Sioux Falls... Let's ride! 4pm Twitter ride. Let's meet at 23rd and Cliff Ave. #twitterridesiouxfalls"

Bad Devil Tour: Day 3

A hearty breakfast at Spearfish's Secret Garden B&B enabled our merry band of bicyclists to leisurely pedal 31 miles to Sundance, WY, arriving shortly before noon yesterday. More sustenance preceded the 30 mile and 3000'+ grind up to Devils Tower amid blue skies framed by semi-lenticular clouds. Ice cream at the DT Trading Post topped off our tanks for the final 3 mile, 350' climb to the Devils Tower Lodge.

A layover day today allows exploration of the Tower and recovery for the legs before our last day of the tour Friday takes us back to Beulah, WY via Hulett, WY and over Bear Lodge Mountain Pass -- a bonafide 2 mile 8 percenter.