The Heart of the Black Hills

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $150 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW
The Black Hills of South Dakota – Yes, it is beautiful in South Dakota!  "Great Faces, Great Places" is what is says on the license plates.  This is a challenging bike tour and it will reward you with an intimate look at the area, including magnificent granite rock spires, buffalo herds and other wildlife, Custer State Park, several National Monuments, Wind Cave National Park, a Hall of Fame Rail Trail, and a chance to climb the highest peak East of the Rockies and West of the Pyrenees!  This "monumental" bicycle tour is a combination of spectacular scenery and historically significant events.  The National Monuments include Mt Rushmore, Jewel Cave National Monument and Devil's Tower.  Some of the colorful western towns along the route are Deadwood, Custer, Sundance, Hill City, Spearfish and Keystone.  You'll enjoy visits to the infamous Saloon #10 where Wild Bill Hickok was killed playing poker, plus the Moonshine Gulch and Mangy Moose saloons.  We've arranged rental mountain bikes on two days which will allow us to ride on the George S Mickelson Trail.  This trail follows the historic Deadwood to Edgemont Burlington Northern rail line and is one of the premier rail trails in America.  Come join us on this Wild West Adventure!

RIDE RATING
This is hill country, and there are some short pitches with grades in excess of 8%.  There are also three days that exceed the ride rating in elevation:  June 12th, 14th & 15th (See itinerary for details.)

WEATHER
Temperature ranges:  Average lows of 59 to average highs of 78.  Precipitation is between 2.5’’-3.0” for the month of June depending on the location.

LODGING
Lodging will vary depending on the location from small, modest motels to some very nice hotels.

FOOD
Trip fees will cover the first and last night’s dinner, daily happy hour, 14 lunches and 12 breakfasts.   On this trip we encourage all participants to help share in the responsibilities of laying out happy hour and lunch preparations.

LOGISTICS
The ride will start at the Holiday Inn in Rapid City, SD.  The hotel has a shuttle to and from the airport.  Vehicles may be left at the hotel parking lot at no extra cost.  Airlines flying into Rapid City are American, Delta, United, and Allegiant. 

ITINERARY:

• June 11, 2016 - Saturday arrival - We'll start this tour at 5:00pm with the traditional orientation meeting and happy hour, followed by a group dinner.  Lodging - Holiday Inn in Rapid City, SD.
• June 12th – 46 miles 4,117’ - Rapid City to Hill City, SD - We will pass the gateway to Mount Rushmore.  Lodging:  Holiday Inn Express
• June 13th – Rest day or 47 miles 4,273’ – The Sylvan/Legend Lake Loop will take us into Custer State Park where we will pass many lakes, see a variety of wildlife and the unique Cathedral Granite Spires located in the Needles Mountains.
• June 14th – 34 miles 3,368’ - Hill City to Custer State Park.  Today we visit Mount Rushmore where Gutzon Borglum carved a memorial to the history of America.  As we continue on the route we ride the famous Pigtail bridge before ending up at the State game lodge built in 1920 which was considered the second White House during the summer and Calvin Coolige’s presidency.  Lodging:  State Game Lodge.
• June 15th – 50 miles 4,292’ - Custer State Park to Custer via the Wildlife Game Route.  Today we have the opportunity to once again see many types of wild life and visit Wind Cave National Park.  Lodging:  Holiday Inn Express.
• June 16th – Rest Day in Custer – However, those who wish can take a short hike up Harney Peak (7,244’) which is the highest peak east of the Rockies and west of the Pyrenees.
• June 17th – 39 miles 1,914’ – Custer to New Castle, WY – We’ll vist Jewel Cave Natural Monument, which has one of the longest caves in the world and a hand dug oil well.  Lodging:  Fountain Inn.
• June 18th – 48 miles 2,636’ - New Castle to Sundance, WY. - Sundance is where Harry Longabaugh (AKA the Sundance Kid) was jailed.  Lodging:  Best Western.
• June 19th – 38 miles 1,810’ – Sundance to Hulett, WY - Today we ride along the Belle Fourche River where we will visit Devils Tower National Monument.  An igneous intrusion rises up 1,267’ above the surrounding terrain.  Lodging:  Best Western.  
• June 20th – 50 miles 2,797’ – Hulett to Spearfish, SD. Lodging – Holiday Inn. 
• June 21st – 34 miles 2,888’ - Spearfish to Deadwood, SD –Today while riding thru the scenic Spearfish Canyon we be in the area where “Dances with Wolves” was filmed.  Deadwood is a town full of history.  In 1874, under the command of General George A Custer, a government sponsored expedition confirmed the presence of gold in the Black Hills. The U.S. government tried to conceal the discovery from the general public in order to honor the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie, which forever ceded the Black Hills to the Lakota-Sioux. Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane each left their name.  Lodging:  Deadwood Mountain Grand.
• June 22nd – 47 miles 2,873’ – Deadwood to Hill City, SD –  Today we will get on our rented mountain bikes and ride the compact dirt Mickelson Trail.  The trail is an old railroad bed, and was the first rails to trail in South Dakota.  Lodging:  Holiday Inn Express.
• June 23rd – 33 miles 1,810’ – Hill City to Custer & back via the Mickelson Trail.  We get back on our mountain bikes and ride the Mickelson Trail to Custer and back.
• June 24th – 36 miles 1,551’ – Hill City to Rapid City - Toady we ride past Sheridan Lake on our way back to Rapid City.  The last portion of the ride will be on a designated bike trail that takes us to our hotel.  Lodging:  Holiday Inn.

COST & ADMINISTRATION
The estimated cost of $2,500 per person includes: 14 nights of lodging (double occupancy), 2 group dinners, 12 breakfasts, 14 lunches, 2 day mountain bike rental, daily happy hours, maps, route sheets, and the $50 BAC Ride Registration fee. The initial deposit will be $1,250, with the balance of $1,250 due on December 6, 2015.  The single supplement cost is $1,240.  

SINGLES
Singles are welcome.  It is recommended that singles who want a roommate first attempt to find their own.  If a single signs up and pays their initial deposit without a roommate, they will will be placed on the ride and given until 2/1/16 to find a roommate. If a roommate is not found by 2/1/16, the single may cancel with a full refund (minus the $50 BAC fee) or pay the single supplement cost.  If a single pays the additional $1,240, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary.  The ride leader will assist by attempting to match singles that apply for the ride. 

CANCELATION POLICY
The BAC registration fee is not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled.  Refunds will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped. The amount refunded will be based on the principle that remaining tour participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations. If the canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the canceling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report is completed.  If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped, the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the single supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour.

SIGN-UP
To submit a request to join this ride use the links displayed in this Ride Description.  The Ride Leader will contact you to discuss your interest in this ride.  If you are accepted, the ride leader will notify you, and then you will receive a link by email for you to electronically sign a Ride Application and Release of Liability form.  After you electronically sign your release, the $1,250 initial deposit amount will be due.  After receipt of the deposit, and the signing of the ROL, you will be moved from “pending” to “participant” status on the BAC website.