Day 21- Mb2Cb Tour- Rest Day in Spearfish, South Dakota

After 20 straight days on the road it was time to take a break. In this instance the weather, not weariness, played the largest part in my decision to stay in Spearfish the extra day. A cold front came storming through last night bring strong north winds and a cold rain. The rain has intensified during the day and will likely stay wet for the next 24-48 hours. I took advantage of the break by doing laundry, visiting the local library, and taking the bike to the local shop for a quick adjustment of the brakes, derailleurs, headset, and spoke tension. Jeff, the owner of the shop, was a bike mechanic for the U.S. Olympic Bicycling Team back in the day and had some good stories. He was mightily impressed by my Co-Motion Pangea.

Tomorrow morning I'll head out, rain or no rain. I'm very likely entering the toughest leg of the tour. The next 130 miles, the distance between Spearfish and Bowman, North Dakota, are pretty desolate. Normally I would cover that distance in 2 days, however with the wind and rain I think I'm looking at 3 days. My technological crystal balls are telling me that I will be camping out and  probably be off the grid for that entire period. If you don't hear from me for a few days, don't be concerned, I'll probably be out of cell phone and internet range.

This doesn't have anything to do with this tour but I didn't want to leave civilization without mentioning an event so big that billions of folks around the world will stop what they're doing to tune in. Nomadic Asian tribes will be tuning-in inside their yurts. Eskimos will be adjusting the rabbit ears on their igloos. Native Americans in the Black Hills will rush to their tepees, astronauts will align their dish on the space station, and, well I think you catch my drift. This is BIG!! Monday, April 30, 2PM, CST the game of the century (or at least this season)!! The Wankers of Manchester United vs. The Blues of Manchester City!!! Live from the Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England. The winner of this game will probably wear the English Premier League crown this year. I'm sure all of you already knew about this game and have already prepared your bangers and mash, black pudding, and meat pies to munch on during the match. If not you can head out to Fado's on 4th Street, Austin, or The Lion and the Rose, Broadway, San Antonio, or Bar Munich, Louisiana St., Houston and enjoy the game with hundreds of like minded fanatics. I know all of you will join me in cheering on the Blues of Man City in their attempt to dethrone the evil and vile Man U.  For lovers of the Beautiful Game I leave you with this tribute to Man City, the best team money can buy!! Enjoy!! Oh, here's a football chant heard around the Etihad that I really like. It's sung to the tune of "If the Moon Hits Your Eye, That's Amore":

When the ball hits your eye
and you sat in row Z
That's Aguero.
When the ball hits the goal
it ain't Rooney or Cole
That's Balotelli .

and so forth.....