The Rise Up Ride: Day 17, Yes, I'm Going to Visit Wall Drug
Date: 9 May 2021
Start Location: Midland, SD
End Location: Wall, SD
Distance: 93 km
Time: 5:08
Total elapsed: 6:15
Elevation: 654 m
Achieving a flow state is one of the pleasures of cycling, and today was one of those Mihály Csíkszentmihályi-like afternoons. Rolling hills, tailwind, no twingy parts, stretchy warm gear, and a close Sunday afternoon game at Yankees stadium streaming on my Bluetooth speaker. Since the early 60s as a Giants fan growing up in Berkeley, listening to Russ Hodges call Mays and McCovey on KSFO, I've loved listening to the game. Today I was in the zone, blasting along a two-lane road with decent shoulders, totally absorbed by John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman calling the game on WFAN against the Nationals. Aware of the sounds around, natural and vehicular, but really into the game as painted in my mind's eye. And then, bottom of the ninth with the game tied, rain pouring down at Yankees Stadium, runners on the corners and two outs. Stanton lines one to left, scoring Wade and Sterling warbles, "The Yankees win, the Yaaaaaankees win." Oh, am I close to Wall already? Where did the last few hours of hard work on a bike go. Total flow time compression.
"Trail Magic" is the unexpected stuff that occurs while touring. As the rain was closing in and I was pushing it to get to town as the lettuce and mustard colored blobs on the radar neared, when Tom slowed, passed me and pulled off on the shoulder with his white Sprinter van. He had spotted the NOLS Outdoor Leadership sticker on my water bottle, and offered me a place in Rapid City. Cyclist, WFRer, climber, wrenches, heading to Alaska to do outdoor training, knows the Climbers' Ranch and an instant adventurer connection.
Wall Drug is a hokey schlock-filled tourist trap with obnoxious billboards along the road, and filled with what Edward Abbey called, "those desk-bound men and women." I stood at the racks of toy guns and rifles for children and realized the whole vibe harshed my outdoor buzz. I lasted ten minutes till I quit Wall Drug. Just say no, kids.
Tomorrow I'll ride through the Badlands National Park to Cedar Pass. Should be spectacular.
