Day 25: Custer to Rapid City South Dakota

 What a difference a day makes!  Today, was an amazing and beautiful ride!  It is hard to pick favorite days but today is definitely one of them!  We took 89N the to Custer State Park and Needles highway.  Beautiful tree line smooth road for the first early morning climb to Needles Highway.  If you have never driven the Needles Highway I highly recommend it!  Stunning rock formations, gorgeous views, wildlife, and tunnels!  All total we climbed about 6 miles to the top and then descended for 7.  

Next up was the 12 mile climb up Iron Mountain on the Norbec Scenic Byway where we caught many views of MT. Rushmore.  Again, very scenic, tunnels, and amazing views!  The descent was also very unique, we as had more tunnels and rode on 3 pigtail bridges!   After the descent we made our way into Keystone where we had our lunch stop.

It really heated up again after lunch for the last 25 miles.  Throw in 1,400 feet of climbing and we were ready to be done.  We stopped in Rapid City for ice cream and then finished our trip to the Fairgrounds where we will camping for the night. 

Stats today:  70 miles and 5,338 feet of elevation gain.  This will be the last 5,000+ elevation gain for this trip.  I will miss all the scenic views that go along with the climbing but my legs could sure use some rest!  

Pictures from today.  The first 6 are from Needles Highway, the next set from Iron Mountain.  


At the base of Needles Highway

Terri on a switchback going up Needles Highway

That goat was really enjoying her snack


Baby Goat

Me going into a tunnel! 


Terri Riding out of a tunnel


Another shot from Needles Highway



On Iron Mountain first view of Mt. Rushmore


Another lookout of Mt. Rushmore


Iron Mountain tunnel zoom in to see Mt. Rushmore


Pigtail Bridges 


Here is the money shot!



Elevation Profile from today. 



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