72 miles to Pierre! Cross-headwinds all day kept us focused and determined to get to each rest stop, and finally the YMCA in Pierre (pronounced “pier,” apparently). Frustration can set in quickly when you go downhill but don’t pick up any speed! Along the way we appreciated the occasional distant hill that made us excited to see the Badlands.

It was a great day for meeting people; at a quick gas station stop, one group met an alum from U of I out in the middle of South Dakota! And when we got to the stayover, another wonderful woman offered to share her experience— so the first thing we did in Pierre was a portrait!

Once showered and settled in Pierre, we had our I4k Valentine’s day! We all got paired up with our valentines last night, and today we rode in valentine double date groups. After the ride we wrote notes to everyone on the team, then went on friend dates out in the town. Making our own holidays keeps things fun when we’re used to the routine and there isn’t much else going on!

Here’s some cycling-themed valentines…

Are you a tailwind? Because you blow me away!

We go together like two jockey wheels.

I wheel-y love you!

Tomorrow is a rest day, and we are planning on spending nearly all of it indoors, besides a tour of the South Dakota State Capital! The YMCA we’re staying at has a pool and we have some errands to run, as usual. On Monday we head out to Kadoka— 97 miles, over 4,000 feet of climbing, and (predicted) headwinds. We’re really going to need this rest. On to sleep, and naps, and more sleep until we roll out!

— Marielle