Day 24. Pierre, SD. 117 miles. 3,000 ft climb

One step forward, one step back.   Though basically recovered from his fall two days ago, today was a miserable day---due to atrocious weather.   Headwinds, torrential rains, cold.....and 117 miles.   The morning dawned with just a drizzle, but it soon became a downpour which continued all day.   On days like this, they still ride.  They have to....or they'll never get across the country.

Wet & Miserable, But Keep Riding

 By the second SAG stop, everyone was totally drenched.   Zippy had on all his arm & leg warmers, all his rain gear, even a rain cover for his helmet, but still got soaked to the bone---even had water in his cycling shoes.   This SAG was at a little store somewhere, and all the riders piled inside.

Everyone Inside for SAG

 That's when they noticed Zippy was shivering uncontrollably.  We know what this means---hypothermia setting in.   Been there, done that.   The staff and other riders immediately snapped into action, directing Colin (CD) to take him into the men's room and get his wet clothes off.  While they fetched his luggage from the SAG van for dry clothes, they wrapped him in black plastic bags, and Phyllis wrapped herself around him, providing much needed warmth.  She felt like a warm blanket to Zippy as she held him like that for 20 minutes or so.   He finally stopped shivering and could drink the hot chocolates that other riders were providing him.  But he knew his ride was over for the day.

Mike Unloading Bags for Dry Clothes

Colin Models Rain Wear, aka Garbage Bag

Warming Up Zippy

Back in the SAG van he went, along with 6 other riders who also had had enough and couldn't ride anymore.  As it happens, these were also older riders, though let's not draw any conclusions about that.   For Terry, it really wasn't his level of fitness.  His legs and aerobic condition were fine.  It was, once again, his lack of natural insulation that did him in.   Everyone told him that, and of course, he knows it.   So, once dressed in his dry clothes and arrived at the motel, it was off to the Dairy Queen for more Blizzards.   Does anyone out there have any recommendations for quick fat-building meals that are still reasonably healthy??????  Suggestions welcomed.

Terry was most grateful for all the help he received today---from ABB staff, from the other riders, and especially Phyllis, who wouldn't let go of him until he returned to normal temperature.  Thank you, Phyllis, and Mike and Colin, and everyone!   Let's hope the adage that things come in three's does not hold true!

You may remember that not too long ago on this blog, I was wondering how I could continue to find superlatives to describe the gorgeous scenery and the rides.   Well, that situation has been reversed, hopefully temporarily.  Here's just a sample of how other riders described today:  "the worst day I ever spent on a bike", "brutal", "HARD", "South Dakota is not our friend".  You get the idea.   Just one photo of Terry today, before he canned the ride at the SAG stop,  taken by 2CameraBob---cameras affixed to front and back wheels.  He looks absolutely miserable.  Poor Zippy.   Not many photos elsewhere today---no one dared pull out their cameras in the downpour.

Terry before the SAG