A wet ride this morning so not many photos. The weather forecast had me fooled. The forecast had me expecting rain early and clearing by 9am or so. It also suggested that cycling north would result in less rain. So I waited until a shower passed and set out at 7am hoping to ride away from any rain.

The first obstacle encountered was the connecting road I picked to meet the Lewis and Clark route was gravel. I’d had enough fun in the past with such roads becoming a muddy mess and it had just rained so I went around adding a few miles to the total.

At first it looked like it might stay dry but eventually the rain started. There were also occasional flashes of lightning though fortunately far enough away. At one point my brim came loose and I fastened it again.

Not long after the rain really started. I put my head down and rode. Fortunately, the county road had almost no traffic and I could see cars from behind with lights on. It was bumpy though with a bunch of cracks. It was a slow wet slog.

I reached Sloan and a gas station/subway and went to take off my helmet. Strange, the visor was missing and I hadn’t noticed. I got a later breakfast and cycled back half a mile to the last turn and didn’t see it. It must have come loose again somewhere in that seven mile of heaviest rain and somehow I hadn’t noticed it. Unfortunate, but not much else to do but continue without (and order replacement to pick up in Colorado).

It still surprised me that I hadn’t noticed but since it is on my helmet and not my head there is no tactile feel. The rain was coming down and around with the brim and my eyes must have stayed forward/down and not noticed.

After Sloan and the break the rain was lighter though I was still pretty wet. The road became busier as I neared Sioux City. Eventually the rain stopped and it even became sunny. I skirted around the downtown area on a trail and at the very end crossed the state line to find a motel at the far end of Sioux City.

This finishes Iowa. I’ve enjoyed my cycling. On average my impression is still that Iowa drivers are the most patient around cyclists (North East Ohio has the rudest drivers and Long Island is high on the list for impatience).

One photo before the rain hit. This is on the county road just as I met the trail.

After the rain and looking forward to a small patch of clearing sky ahead.

Trail along the water front.

Welcome to South Dakota.

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