Author Archives: scottluria

Gettysburg to Mobridge, South Dakota Friday, July 23, 2021 I had wanted to leave before sunrise this morning, but it was raining so I didn’t actually leave until 7:30. The rain had stopped and cleared the haze somewhat, and I got a better picture of Lake Oahe. Despite the heat and the challenges I’ve mentioned,Continue reading “It could be worse”

Pierre to Gettysburg, South Dakota Thursday, July 22, 2021 At the end of my “zero day” in Pierre, I got a personalized tour of the city in Tami’s Corvette! (a gift from her mother) She drove me by the state capitol …and a number of life-sized statues of the former governors of South Dakota ThereContinue reading “Oa-who?”

Lower Brule to Pierre, South Dakota Tuesday-Wednesday , July 20-21, 2021 The opening line to the movie 21, about an MIT professor who trained his students to count cards in Las Vegas. In my case, that chicken dinner was no winner, and I could only choke down a few bites. So it wound up beingContinue reading “Winner winner chicken dinner”

Chamberlain to Lower Brule, South Dakota Monday, July 19, 2021 I thought it was Churchill, but it was actually Arnold Toynbee who said “history is just one damn thing after another”. I love that quote, just as I love history. Today I crossed my second Missouri River dam, the Big Bend Dam, which impounds LakeContinue reading “One dam thing after another”

Lucas to Chamberlain, South Dakota Sunday, July 18, 2021 D’oh. It didn’t rain at all last night, despite the 100% chance of severe thunderstorms, so I felt kind of foolish in this crazy hunting lodge, when I could’ve easily camped by the Missouri. Still, I didn’t think it was worth the risk, in tornado country.Continue reading “Zen and the art of talking to motorcyclists”

Pickstown to Lucas, South Dakota Saturday, July 17, 2021 Today was a day of symmetry. I left precisely three months ago, so the trip is exactly one forth over. I also happened to pass 4,000 miles on my odometer today. If I can maintain this pace, even with the days I “took a zero” orContinue reading “Four square”

Vermillion to Pickstown, South Dakota Friday, July 16, 2021 For those of you that don’t know, “D’oh!” is the exclamation Homer Simpson makes when he realizes he has just done something stupid. I had two D’oh! moments this morning. My right pedal had been squeaking, and this morning I saw that the bearings were loose.Continue reading “D’oh!”

Orange City, Iowa to Vermilion, South Dakota. Thursday, July 15, 2021 I can’t explain it. Maybe taking that zero day and getting some things sorted out was just what I needed. Whatever, I was able to leave before 8, and cover 64 miles by 3. This is more like it. A nice tailwind didn’t hurt.Continue reading “Finding the groove?”

Hawkeye Point to Orange City, Iowa Tuesday-Wednesday , July 13-14, 2021 OK, I’ve done my last touchstone in Iowa. Time to blow. My next destination is White Butte, highpoint of North Dakota, northwest of here. Rather than strike out on my own through the Dakota plains, I’ve elected to follow the Adventure Cycling Association LewisContinue reading “Blowing this popsicle stand”

Ingham Lake to Hawkeye point, Iowa Monday, July 12, 2021 Back in 1973, when Brian and I first started highpointing, there was only one guidebook available, just a pamphlet really: Highpoints of the States, by Frank Ashley. I still have my copy. He identified Rib Mountain as the highpoint of Wisconsin, Mount Curwood for Michigan,Continue reading “The once and future highpoint”