https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18WqZW5j7m/ I had an amazing night’s sleep, perfect temperatures and the familiar comfort of my tent. After waking up, I quickly packed my gear and headed over to the coffee shop to meet Simon and Renate for coffee and chai. The little coffee shop in Lusk (bean roasters) turned out to be an absolute gem, full of friendly locals and good energy. After we said our goodbyes, my new friends headed south while I pointed the bike north, out of Lusk and out of Wyoming. I cruised north on Highway 85. The low road grades and light traffic made for fast and easy miles. Before I knew it, I reached Mule Creek Junction and turned east onto Highway 18. Another wide shoulder, another stretch of peaceful riding. By early afternoon, I rolled into Edgemont, South Dakota. Edgemont, founded as a railroad town in 1890, sits at the southern gateway to the Black Hills. It’s also the starting point for the George S. Mickelson Trail, a 109-mile rail trail that runs all the way to Deadwood. A cyclist’s dream! Car free, well maintained, and with frequent water stops along the way. First though, food. Edgemont has two restaurants, and only one was open. Luckily for me, it happened to be a Thai spot 😁 and to my surprise, the Penang curry was the best I’ve had since Colorado. Total hidden gem. After eating way too much Thai food, I rolled over to the start of the Mickelson Trail and began pedaling north. No real destination in mind. Just enjoying the beautiful scenery, quiet gravel path, and the peace that comes with being away from cars. When I rolled onto the Mickelson Trail to start pedaling north, the temperature was pushing 100 degrees. It was hot and the air was heavy, but the trail itself was beautiful and well worth it. The shaded stretches and gentle rail grade helped take the edge off the heat, and I was just happy to be off the highway. By sunset, I found myself in the tiny “town” of Pringle. There’s really only one business there, the local bar, so I popped in for a quick beer. The scene was hilariously stereotypical 🤣, The people watching was next level. Guns on the walls, mounted heads of dead animals everywhere, and loud politically charged conversations… I was definitely a fish out of water in that place. As dusk settled, I hopped back on the bike and continued riding under the night sky. With no car traffic and no real reason to stop, I pushed on another hour before rolling into Custer. Custer has its own quirky history, named after George Armstrong Custer after his 1874 expedition through the Black Hills. It was that same expedition that touched off the Black Hills Gold Rush, a key chapter in the history of this region. I grabbed a small hotel room, took a much needed shower, and crawled into bed. I think tomorrow will be a half-day of riding. Not sure if I’ll head east or north out of Custer… probably won’t decide until I’m at the trailhead. The freedom of cycle touring is intoxicating. Just me, the horizon, and the open road. If you’ve been following along and want to support the cause that’s driving this ride, check out the fundraiser I’m doing for Veteran Expeditions. A nonprofit that helps veterans heal through outdoor adventure and shared challenges. www.OneMileFundraiser.com