Day Seven Statistics:

Elapsed Time (ET): 15:00:00

Distance (DST): 165.7 Miles

Average Speed (AVG): 12.8 MPH

Riding Time (RT): 12:52:53

Maximum Speed (MAX): 30 MPH

Odometer (ODO): 22,421.4 Miles

Temperature (Fahrenheit): 44-74

Wind Direction and Speed: S/SW/SE 0-15

Cities Traveled Through: Milbank,SD; Altamont, Clear Lake, Sunnyview, Brookings, Lone Tree, Dell Rapids, Sioux Falls

Motel: Best Western ($49.05)

Comments: Today seemed like a disaster from the start. As I left Ortonville to try to get to SD Highway 12 from 75, I thought I went to the right road but as I kept going, a sign read, "Pavement Ends." I was especially discouraged since I would be wasting an hour of valuable early morning low wind time. The winds were supposed to increase and provide for constant headwinds. Finally, after going 10 miles, I was back where I started. I finally found where Highway 12 went. I don't remember seeing a single sign of its location after I turned onto the road where the junction was supposed to be. I made it easily to Milbank after that since the winds still didn't increase. As I headed south on 15, the winds finally increased around 9 AM. I knew today was going to be a struggle then. However, I wanted to get as far as I could with the otherwise good weather. At one of the junctions (212) I was supposed to turn west, but I went east by mistake and didn't notice it for four or five miles. To make things worse, I had just gone down a huge continuous hill the past few miles. I didn't turn back immediately, but took a south road and made up the miles to the west a few miles later. Things were finally back to normal. I was totally upset about wasting 18 miles though. It's one of the most frustrating things that can happen while biking. Around 11:30, I ate dinner at Jimmy's Cafe in Clear Lake. At that point, I was just planning on going to Brookings. Well, a few hours later I arrived in Brookings, and realized I still had six hours of sunlight left. I knew there was a town of about 2,400 people called Dell Rapids on the route. I decided I would stay there. As I went on my way I encountered one of the most damaged highways I've ever seen. The road was bumpier than gravel in some places and there was NO shoulder; only a bit of gravel. As all the other roads I had traveled, more hills persisted. I climbed almost 5,000 ft. today. The sun also managed to give me a good sunburn and made me feel really hot. About 5 miles before Dell Rapids, I encountered a Road Closed sign. Great! Now, I wondered how many more pointless miles I would put on in the detour. I was so sick of wasted miles, so I just went in the ditch and walked past that area of the road. It was difficult since there were big mounds of dirt all over and I had to climb my bike without slipping back down which would could be quite dangerous. Finally, I found my way to the other side of the hole in the road and continued to Dell Rapids. However, I didn't see a single hotel. I checked in the phone book and came up empty as well. With less than two hours left of sunlight and over 20 miles left to Sioux Falls, I decided to try to make it there. I was going to take a route other than the Interstate, but decided I didn't want to risk getting on a wrong road again. I KNEW I-29 went straight there, so I chose that road. Again, I was honked at by a car that didn't want me on the road. I still don't understand it. Although the shoulder was poor, I remained as far over as I could on the shoulder that was as wide as a standard lane. Finally I got to Sioux Falls and decided to just get a hotel in downtown. It took me forever to find a hotel after I ignored the first ones I saw. I basically did a big circle around part of town and then went to the Super 8. As I went in there I was turned down since I wasn't 21, but only 19.8. It is really stupid! They wouldn't even let my parents call and get a room with the credit card. I just don't understand why hotels need to do this sometimes. She said there was a hotel across the Interstate, but I didn't want to waste all that time, plus it was dark. Luckily, there were a BUNCH of other hotels right next to the Super 8. I had no problem getting a room at the Best Western. Now, I need to get some sleep. I had to work for everything today. Unfortunately, tomorrow is supposed to provide even stronger winds out of the south. I'm not sure if I will leave at 6 AM to take advantage of less morning winds or get some much needed sleep. I've only gotten about 4 or 5 hours of sleep a night recently.

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