• Miles today 113.4
• Miles total 1666.0
• Elevation today 5246 ft
• Elevation total 80853 ft
• Weather – sunny and HOT plus WIND constant from side at 20-25 mph with random gusts every 5 or so seconds up to 35 mph (if you weren’t in a car, you should not have been out – it would knock you forward standing there)

This was the hardest bike ride I have ever done, bar none. Harder than STP in a day, harder than RAMROD, harder ANY ride. OMG, what made it so tough was the wind. It would below you across the road into traffic. You could take your hands off the bars for any reason – get a water bottle or wipe your face or swat a bug. Decent’s were scary so you had to break on all downhills. It was 10 hours in the saddle of moving time! It was crazy, plus it was in the 90’s. Yes HARDEST….EVER!!!

5 of 22 people got in the van at some point on the ride. For me, I did NOT. After the ride one of guides said this is the hardest they have ever seen. Then the congratulated me and said “just keep going – EFI!“ I’m going what is EFI – ride every freakin’ inch!

Ok that was my rant – if not for the wind, the Badlands are amazing. Ruggedly breath taking in formations and colors. You are on another planet!!