Today another ride through sparsely populated areas. There was more traffic that earlier days so it wasn’t completely quiet. The first part of the day was through the reservation including the only service stop at 13 miles. After that no businesses until I reached Pierre. Pierre is a small town (9th in population for South Dakota) but also the state capitol. From here I’ll join a route I previously rode in 2018 to Bismarck.

Early morning leaving Fort Thompson. I was on the road by sunrise. Not so much because of wind or heat – though it did get to upper 80s by the end of my ride but mostly because this was a slightly longer ride. The first fifteen miles also had gradual climbs of ~500 feet to a plateau away from the river. After that, parallel to the river and eventually descending to below the river bluffs.

Church in Fort Thompson.

Good morning sun, just peeking over the horizon.

Sunflowers, soy beans and corn. However, most of the area was open range land. I have seen large bales of hay. I’m not 100% sure if I’ve seen wheat that was already harvested or whether that I don’t reach the wheat belt until after Pierre. I remember the wheat areas from a 2018 trip so will be able to compare.

Mac’s Corner was the only business open along the way until Pierre. I found it interesting that veterinary supplies, e.g. horse medicines were in one section of freezer just as drinks and other cool things were in other freezers.

Many of these stations are Sinclair stations with their trademark dinosaur. I think I am gradually leaving the area where Casey’s predominates until more of an area with Sinclair. They didn’t do much with their dinosaur but other stations have become more inventive.

After Mac’s Corner, it was open road…

If you lived here, you’d be home now!

Looked like they were assembling some large windmills.

Areas with large hay bales.

Now it was time to descend back to the river.

A historic fur post. I’ve been listening to my Lewis and Clark book. This was an area they could navigate on the river, using a combination of oars, pulling and poles to go up river. This was also a region others had traveled – but not too much further than Bismarck they spent a (cold) winter with Mandan indians and came along areas not yet known to the US.

Now the last 25 miles was more closely along the river. There was also a railroad line, I saw two trains while I was cycling so know it is active.

Welcome to Pierre. Nice to arrive here.

First a picture of the bicycle along with the state capitol.

I didn’t find anyone to get a photo, so got this as a selfie.

Explanation of selection of Pierre as the capitol.

It was nice to arrive to Pierre, my 19th capitol and 39th motel owned by Patels. Longer than average but not a very difficult ride. However, I am glad I split the Chamberlain to Pierre ride into two days as cycling over the hills would have made for a very long day.

My plan from here is to ride to Bismarck a ride I’ve previously done and described here. From Bismarck, plan is to drive back to Pierre and continue from here. It appears there is only one rental car company at the Pierre airport (Avis/Budget) and they not say they don’t have automobiles available for a one-way rental. So I’ve reserved a small U-Haul truck for close to the same price. I’m sorting out exact plans after that depending on when I visit Colorado but they next five days to/from Bismarck have a plan.