Bicycle Festivals

Its time to check out the bicycle festivals for the 2015 season.  Last June's storm put a cramp on my bike festival attendance.  The only festival I made was Outside Bike & Brew in Santa Fe.  Hoping to get to more this year.

This list is no way meant to be all-inclusive.  I am concentrating on those in the "Heartland" and those I have or may attend.  Dates of RAGRAI are only included for reference.  It would be to sacrilegious to omit the biggest in Iowa (my home state).

May 13-17, 2015 Outside Bike & Brew Santa Fe, NM

http://outsidesantafe.com/

May 29-31, 2015 Tour of Kansas City, Kansas City MO

Gran Fondo on Monday, May 25

http://www.tourofkc.com/

June 19-21, 2015 Black Hills Fat Tire Festival Rapid City, SD

http://www.bhfattirefestival.com/

June 25-28, 2015. Crested Butte Bike Week, Crested Butte, CO

http://cbbikeweek.com/

July 10-12, 2015 Bicycles, Blues, BBQ Festival Clear Lake, IA

http://bicyclebluesbbq.com/

July 19-25 RRAGBAI Sioux City to Davenport, IA

http://ragbrai.com/

July 25, 2015 Tour de Fat, Twin Cities, MN

http://www.newbelgium.com/Events/tour-de-fat/minneapolis.aspx

August 15-16, 2015 Kraus-Anderson Bike Festival, Duluth, MN

http://bikeduluthfestival.com/

August 22, 2015 Gran Fondo Cedar Valley Cedar Falls, IA

http://granfondocedarvalley.com/

September 4-7, 2015, La Crosse Area Bicycle Festival LaCrosse, WI

http://www.explorelacrosse.com/event/la-crosse-area-bicycle-festival/?instance_id=8890925

Festival of the Trails Discontinued

Today i received e-mail from CAMBA including word the Festival of the Trails has been discontinued.  During the 5 year run of the festival, it was generally held over National Trails weekend (first Saturday of June).  I was afraid changes to the festival as the group got involved in the Mt Borah Epic race. I thought the attendance was heavy enough to support the function.

The e-mail says that "fund raising potential never attained the goals to which we had aspired".  I hate to see this NON-RACE event is gone.  Enjoyed the 2 years where i could attend Festival of the Trails one weekend in Hayward, WI, play tourist in the area, and attend the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Festival the next weekend.

This year I will have to decide if I want to make a 2 weekend trip in June.  With Black Hills Fat Tire Festival moving to June's 3rd weekend, I could do a trip including Cuyuna and Black Hills.  Part of the decision is hinging on the BHFTF event schedule.  I stopped attending that festival because it had become too much race-centered.

2014 Mountain Bike Festivals

With the bitter cold weather this week, my thoughts started turning to warmer weather riding and the
Spring mountain bike festivals.  Previously, I have attended festivals in Rapid City, SD,  Hayward. WI,  Crosby, MN,  Quad Cities IA/IL, and Wausau, WI.  Here's what I know now and those I will be watching for locations and dates.

Black Hills Fat Tire Festival (Rapid City, SD) has moved is dates.  The festival had been held Memorial Day weekend.  This year it is scheduled for June 20-22, 2014.  Rapid City Parks & Recreation returns as the organizers.

Today, I was able to confirm dates for the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Festival in Crosby, MN.  The festival will be held on Friday and Saturday June 13-14, 2014.  Headquarters is the Crosby Town Park (camping spaces available).  Explore that trails of Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area.  I have attended this festival since the ride center opened. 

I have not been able to confirm dates for CAMBA Festival of the Trails.  Previously, it has been held over the National Trails Day weekend except for 1 year when it was held over Memorial Day weekend.  In 2013, the festival was held the same weekend of the first annual Mt. Borah Epic Mountain Bike Race.  That race will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2014.

The festivals in the Quad Cities were MidWest Mountain Bike Festival - held there for 2 years.  That festival moves every 2 years - I believe is is being hel in Brown County, IN in 2013-14.

In 2012 I attended GnomeFest.  That yeat it was held at Nine Mile Woods near Wausau, WI.  I have relatives in the Wausau area.  That was the only year it has been at Nine Mile Woods.  No plans to attend this year.

The best situation for me was last year - when I was able to attend Festival of the Trails in Hayward, WI the first weekend of June.  Play tourist in Superior/Dulth.  Then attend Cuyuna Festival.  If the 2014 Festival of the Trails is held the weekend on May 33 - June 1, I may have to skip that festival and revisit the possibility of making the 10 day trip adding Black Hills Festival.


Just for information (June is mountain bike month, it seems) Crested Butte (CO) Bike Week is June  25-29, 2014.

Black Hills of South Dakota

Tuesday was a "extra" day when I planned the trip.  Have been to the Black Hills several times (mostly for the BH Fat Tire Festival).  This time was a stop to maybe see some stuff I missed.  It also let me to reconnect with more familiar surroundings.

Once I got up and going, I was off for a driving and photography down the Needles Highway.  I guess all of the budgets are tight, but I was shocked when the entrance fee at Custer State Park was $15!  Just a couple years ago it was $10.

Took lots of photos in the Needles.  From there, on down to the Wildlife Loop.  That was a mistake!  Two sections of the road were under "repairs".  A long section was "one-lane" with "follow me" vehicls was for seal-coating.  It was a long stretch they had blocked off.  Big delay.  And there was nothing that I saw when I entered the section of the park - no warning.

Never did see what the construction was for in the second section.  Really frustrated with the first private vehicle through.  Lollygagging through the area - not keeping up with the "follow me" truck.  Between those section, a traffic jam with folks feeding the donkeys/burro's.

The last section of the drive was better, again.  Took the Iron Mountain Highway back to Keystone.  Been on the road many times, was able to perfect my photo shoots in the tunnels.  Skipped the visit ot Mt Rushmore - been there several times.

Final goad for the day was to stop in Rapid City to see one of my old BHFTF friends at the bike shop (Black Hills Bicycles).  Was a bonus as another friend came in while I was there. Back to Keystone, wanted to pick up more postcard stamps - but the post office closes at 2:30!  Picked up a couple souvenirs.

Dinner again at the BaRLee in Keystone.  Wanted to have a Blizzard as Dessert - but the DQ was closed at 6pm!  Whats with this - Keystone is a tourist trap and should have places open later!  Back at the motel, I was exhausted.  Wanted to process more photos from the drive that day.  Just could not keep my eyes open.  Crashed into bed at 7pm.

The Devil, Another Canyon, and a Cousin

After a frustrating night in Buffalo, Monday was a treat!  Though it started with a boring drive along I-90.  I exited the interstate at Moorcraft.  Destination - Devil's Tower.

Devil's Tower was the first National Monument.  Well known as the location in Close Encounters of the Third Kind.  The monument is a short drive (or motorcycle ride) from the Black Hills of South Dakota.  You can circumnavigate the tower on a trail.  Climbing Devil's Tower has become popular (permit required).

Hit the South Dakota border and the rest area with information booth.  Picked up maps.  While stopped there, I called a cousin who is touring the area.  He and his wife are en route to Yellowstone.

I was going to just head to Keystone (my lodging for the night).  The sign of Spearfish Canyon scenic drive drew me.  Another scenic canyon.  The drive dropped me in Lead (old mining town - Homestake Mining Co). Saw a couple pf the Mickelson Trail trailheads that I had visited during Black Hills Fat Tire Festival.

Settled in the room and processed photos from the day.  Planning to meet my cousin in the evening.  I was getting hungry, to called him and said I was off for dinner,  He and his wife found me at BaRLee's Food & Drink.  Had a great evening talking at the bar.

Had a pretty good day! 

Mountain Bike Festivals

Its time to start planning my Spring trips to the mountain bike festivals.  I you have never attended one of these dirt riding parties, you should include one (or more) in your bucket list.  I have attended several different festivals - each has its own merits.

The first one I ever attended was the inaugural Black Hills Fat Tire Festival.  The festival is held in Rapid City, SD over Memorial Day weekend.  The weekend is filled with socializing, group rides, and races.  I attended this festival for 4 years, but it became too much of a race venue.  Headquarters for the 2013 edition of the Black Hills Fat Tire Festival will be the Gas Light, Rockerville, SD.

Festival of the Trails is held in the Hayward/Cable, Wisconsin area and sponsored by the  Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association.  This year, the festival is back on the first weekend on June.  The tentative schedule is on the CAMBA web site.  This is a festival celebrating the trails - no races.  (Though the same weekend is the Mt Borah racee in the area).  Each year, it seams that the festival highlights different trail clusters.  I may attend this festival again this year.  Fuctions at the 2013 festival are scheduled to be around Wilson Lake and OO Trailheads.

The next weekend (2nd weekend in June) is the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Festival in Crosby, MN.  The festival uses the trails of the Cuyuna Ride Center (Cuyuna Country State Recreational Area).  I attended the first 2 of the festivals here.  Planning to attend again this year.  This is a growing festival.  The festival will likely center around the pack and campground in Crosby, MN.

The last 2 years, the MidWest Mountain Bike Festival was held the 4th weekend in June in the Quad Cities (IA/IL).  I really enjoyed this festival.  The Midwest Mountain Bike Festival moves every 2 years.  Word is that this year it moved to Brown County Park, Indiana.

Mountain Bike Festival Conundrum

Spring 2011 was awesome, as for mountain bike festival in my area of the country. Black Hills Fat Tire Festival (Memorial Day Weekend) in Rapid City, SD. The next weekend (which included National Trails Day) it was Festival of the Trails in the Hayward, Wisconsin area. The second weekend of June it was the festival opening Cuyuna Country Ride Center (Crosby, MN) with promise of an annual festival.

Whew - a weekend off. Then off to Quad Cities 0f Illinois and Iowa for the MidWest Mountain Bike Festival. A great schedule (though I did not attend the BH Festival - first I missed since it started).

This year, the folks of CAMBA decided to move Festival of the Trails from the first weekend of June to Memorial Day weekend. That gives me a problem.

Last year, with Festival of the Trails and Cuyuna Country (Wisconsin & Minnesota) on consecutive weekend, I just stayed in the North Country. Played "tourist" on Ashland, WI and Duluth/Superior. After all, Hayward, WI and Crosby, MN are only 170 miles apart!

Instead, I will have do decide which of these two festivals to attend. I cannot spend 2 weeks between the festivals on the road. And to drive home between, both festivals are about 500 miles (one way) from my house.

I don't know how many folks will be in the quandary of attend Festival of the Trails or Black Hills Fat Tired Festival - now both Memorial Day Weekend. But, for us in the Omaha/Sioux City/Sioux Falls area - we will had to choose one or the other.

Thanks, CAMBA, for screwing up the Mountain Bike Festival calendar.

Black Hills Fat Tire Festival - Rapid City, SD - May 25-27
Festival of the Trails - Hayward area, WI - May 25-27
Cuyuna Country Mountain Bike Festival - Crosby, MN - June 9-11
MidWest Mountain Bike Festival - Scott County (Quad Cities) IA/IL - June 22-24

Festival of the Trails

Today marks 10 days in the hospital for a normally out-patient procedure. Trying to think about more enjoyable activities. I started thinking about Festival of the Trails in Hayward, Wisconsin - three days of dirt!

Last year was the first time I attended the festival and the first time riding CAMBA trails. This year is the third annual Festival of the Trails.

For the last 4 years, I have been attending the Black Hills Fat Tire Festival in Rapid City, SD. Attended all 4 years of its existence. This year I will be breaking that streak. Last year I attended both festivals. A full explanation of why I will not attend BHFTF will wait for another day.

Festival of the Trails celebrates the great trails in NW Wisconsin. There are clusters of trails, all at or slightly above my riding ability. Altitude of Hayward and the area is about the same as my house. Just the type of trails I like.

There are no races. But there are lots of opportunities for riding CAMBA trails. There's the welcoming social, a film fest, and BBQ. Saturday riders stop for trail-side food served up by local eating establishments. There will be the celebration of the dedication of a CAMBA trail as an Epic trail. A evening ride under the lights. Hone riding skills and learn trail-side repairs during Technique de Trails.

Can't think a better way to celebrate National Trails Day. Join me in Northwoods of Wisconsin June 3-5, 2011 for Festival of the Trails. Hope to see you there!

Day 3 - BHFTF

And now for something completely different...

I took my time getting to the festival yesterday morning. The trail runners were just leaving - no time to get there to take photos. But, the group was organizing for freeriding.

We carpooled to Storm Mountain. The group started with hike-a-bike up the mountain. About a quarter up the trail (from one of the riders) I decided that was high enough, There was a good, rock decent there and 2 jumps.

Spent nearly 2 hours there shooting riders at this spot. The light played havoc with the camera light meter. Hope I can touch up a couple more of the photos.

Since I was in the area, and it was that time, lunch as the Gas Light.

Stopped HQ to checking my receipts and claim tickets for Beer-Muda. i was sure the Gas light was one of the sponsors, but they are not this year. So I only had the receipt for Friday lunch at the Firehouse.

Napped and did some stuff in the room. Then off the watch the Strider demo race. The Tri-athalon was just about to start at so stopped to take some photos of the start.

The Strider race was probably the highlight of the races at the festival. Big boys racing downhill on little bikes. The only way to describe the was by a photo.

The day ended with the BBQ. Grilled burgers of beef, venison, buffalo, veggy burgers, and chicken with all the fixin's. There was music and beer, sopped off by raffles.

A couple of glitches there. In interest of time, they started drawing winning tickets before everyone got their tickets. I was finishing in the food line when the raffle started. (I was fortunate to win cycling shorts - and they even fit me!)

Once I had some time to get over to get my beer (2 tickets came with your dinner), the keg was dry. Luckily, the Festival purchased a second keg. When I went for my beer, I took BOTH of my cups, lest they run out again. (They did but the party was almost done). When one of the workers of the festival said he was pretty sure the one group of raffle prizes were all there was, I was disappointed. There seemed to be more swag for the racers than raffle prizes. Alas, we were wrong there were another general raffle, Finally Beer-Muda Triangle raffle.


By the time everything ended, I was tired, cold, and my brain was fried from the noise. Took me some time to settle down to sleep.

Day 2 - BHFTF

Saturday was race day. I was thinking of riding the Fuel EX7 during the day. Dressed in cycling jersey and shorts. But, with race delays (The Super D start was delayed some 1 hour and 20 minutes). The hill climb held right after the end of the Super D.

I had a very good vantage point for shooting the Super D and Hill Climb. Normally, I would post a photo of one of the racers on the course. But today we had a trail pixie near me. Anna, who I met 2 years ago on the Centennial Trail ride.

By the time I got back to Headquarters, it was almost time for the Downhill to start. No time to stop by for some lunch.

As it turned out, the start of the Downhill race was delayed at least an hour. I was too tired from walking and climbing to go up the hill for a jump vantage point. Caught most of the racers as the get near the end of their race.

At 4pm. they were still racing - but I needed to eat before the Film Festival. Off to the motel, change clothes, and headed for the Gas Light. While up on the hill, knowing I would miss lunch, I decided it was a great evening to have a good dinner at the Gas Light (and they are a sponsor of the festival).

For those of you that have not attended BHFTF - you get chances to win swag if you spend money at one of the Festival sponsors. That's the Beer-Muda Triangle raffle.

Saturday ended with the BHFTF Film Fest, featuring amateur films, awards, and swag. (I think mountain bikers thrive on beer, bikes, and swag!) Special film was "Follow Me" - a freeriding film.

Black Hill Fat Tire Festival begins

For the BHFTF, I will be shooting normal exposures - no HDR exposures.

Friday morning I slept in. Needed the rest! Stopped in at the Firehouse for lunch (they are one of the sponsors if the Festival). Then it was to check in an get registration packet.

Bringing the camera, took a couple shots of the venue during set-up. Mostly spend the afternoon visiting with friends from previous BHFTF.

THOR friends - take a look at the trailer that the Black Hills Mountain Bike Association got this past year! The trailer is a great advertisement for the association and sponsors!

At the festival headquarters i learned that the bicycle trail from my motel to the social venue was clear (no flooding). I was worried about that since some crossing are underwater from the heavy rain Rapid City received Monday.

Nap time before the Welcoming Social.

The Social was hosted at the Chop House - same venue for the 4 years. It felt good to be on the bike. Rode the hardtail. Not that far - just about 3.5 miles. The hot day turned into a comfortable evening. Spend more of the time with friends that have ties to Omaha.

After the Welcome Social there was a viewing of "Woman of Dirt" showing at the Elks Theater. I was too tired, so instead headed back to the motel and crashed.

Rapid City Drivers

I am going to take a break from the "travelogue" of my trip.

Yesterday, I went to visit a friend at one of the bike shops. We had met at previous Black Hills Fat Tire Festivals. I decided to ride my bike - after all, i am here to ride my bikes.

The first 2 years, I stayed up near the interstate. When riding LaCrosse Street down to the bike trail, I had no problem. Last year and this year, my motel is only 2 blocks from the bicycle trail. Last year, I rode my bike almost every place I went.

Rapid Creek is out of its banks. Like other cities, the bicycle trail thought town is along the creek. With heavy rains like Rapid City got Monday, the trail become underwater. So, I took to the streets.

My 5 mile rides was the worst ride I have taken. I was operating all of the laws as a vehicle. I was wearing a bright color jersey and my flashing taillight was running. I generally stayed in the right lane. People were honking at me. One gay tried to engage me in a conversation from here car while I was riding through town.

Folks would follow me in the right lame for several blocks before they would pass me. No idea why the would not just pass because they had plenty of chances.

One guy in a big pick-up almost clipped me. He could see me well in advance, but he decides to come right up behind me,the passed me very closed - less than a foot between his mirror and my handlebar. I was wrong - I shouted at him about almost clipping me. He shouted some obscenity - like it was MY fault!

This evening I was planning to ride my bike to the Welcoming Social. Since i will have to ride the streets (last year I rode the bike trail to and from the social).

Jerry, you have some very rude drivers here in Rapid City.

Festival of the Trails

I am a little sorry that I already sent in registration for Black Hills Fat Tire Festival. Was holding the weekend of June 5-6 for opening of Adams Park. But it looks like that will be later. So, I am looking at attend the CAMBA Festival of the Trails in Hayward (NW), Wisconsin.

Of course, that means consecutive weekends of dirt riding festivals. And they are over 700 miles apart, both over 500 miles from my house.

Now, I have attended all 3 previous BHFTF in Rapid City. That festival has become more and more race oriented. Matter of fact, I was not going to attend BHFTF this year, but decided I need to get out of the area for a trip.

CAMBA Festival of the Trails is riding trails, food, beverages, riding trails, video fest, riding skills workshop, riding trails, raffle, and swag (Did I mention riding trails, No Race?). Sounds like a nice weekend.

Oh, yeah, and June I head to South Carolina for my Army Reunion. Opportunity to check out the SouthEast trails.

On the other side, what the hell, I have earned it. Since my last trip over Thanksgiving, I have been in the hospital twice for biopsies, over 7 weeks of 5x a week radiation treatments, and when done, 11 weeks of 1x a week chemo treatments.

Black Hills Fat Tire Festival

Information of the 4th Annual Black Hills Fat Tire Festival is up on their web site. Disappointed to see that this year they are again doing the Mickelson Ride on Saturday/Sunday. This denies Mickelson Ride folks time to visit the vendors, demo a bike, and watch any of the races.

The other problem that you don't have a chance to sign up for a Monday morning ride. Last year the easier ride(s) on Monday were (apparently) canceled by that morning. Started to make a ride, but when I could not keep up just climbing the muddy hill before the singletrack, I gave up.

IF I attend this time, it will be to see my friends, and take photos in the Badlands and Black Hills. It would be nice to complete the Mickelson. But not sure I want to use the whole festival to do it. Also, never got my "Beer-Muda" t-shirt that year (was told they did not arrive.) Looking forward working more with HDR (High Dynamic Range) photography.

BHFTF Photos

It took some time, but I have processed the photos I took at the Black Hills Fat Tire Festival. Since I rode 2 days on the Mickelson Trail, most of the photos here are from that ride. They are divided up into the 2 days of the ride.

Surf over to my photo web site: http://win-photo.photoreflect.com

BHFTF Last Day

I did not like the new schedule for the festival. With the Mickelson Trail on Saturday and Sunday - that (and maybe a ride on Friday - perhaps a Monday) is all you can do. The Vendor and Demo area is only open Saturday/Sunday. Never had time to visit with the vendors. When we got back from the Mickelson on Sunday, the festival HQ was closed (torn down).

The full schedule showed 6 guided tours on Monday morning. I came to the Park hoping to ride St. Martin's. That was one that my guide Friday afternoon said he thought it would be a good one for me. Instead, only Victoria Lake, Bone Collector, and Storm Mountain rides when out. If it was because not interest (sign-up) as of Sunday close, we (Mickelson Riders) could not have signed up and/or asked for one of the rides because the festival was closed.

Anyway, I tried the Victoria Lake Ride (some on my friends were going in the ride. I should should have know that it was not for me -- my friends are expert riders). The climb up from the parking lot (walking my bike up for .4 miles on a muddy logging road) was enough for me. That adding problems with the breast strap on my hydration pack.

Ended up just taking a ride on the Rapid Creak Trail see if I meet up wth Rich (Omaha) to visit and see what plans were for this evening.

Not a good day today. And I am tired from the 2 days on the Mickelson. If some of us don't meet for dinner, I may pack up this evening and head out for home very early in the morning.

URGH - late note -- I forgot to turn the cell back on after the film festival last night. Missed 3 calls to ride this afternoon on the Mickelson. Trying to contact about dinner this evening. They must stil be n the trail.

Sounds like time to be head home.

BHFTF Day 3

Today was Day 2 of the Mickelson Trail Ride. Today's ride started from Rabbit Cycles in Hill City. At Mountain View trail head, I got on the trail - riding to Custer, took a break, and rode the last 2 sections to Edgemont (end of the trail).



This photo was taken in Sheep Canyon. Was another beautiful section of the trail.

The weather started up foggy and misting. At Custer, the mist stopped. After Pringle, the fog lifted. At Sheep Canyoh Trail Stop, I had to shed a layer. As we neared Edgemont, the sun came out.



This photos is of the 4 riders today. Jane, Doug, Ed, and me. Doug and Ed ended up riding the while trail over the 2 days. (109 miles!) I rode 39 miles today, a personal best (longest ride). Basically 64 miles over the last 2 days.

The day ended up at the Elks Theater for the Film Festival. I did not win any swag. :( And, the did not get the Beer-Muda Triange T-Shirts.

Hoping to ride tomorrow morning.

BHFTF Day 2

Yesterday it was an early call to get up and ready for the first day of the Mickelson Trail ride. Breakfast for the riders and volunteers at 6am. A shower came though as we were eating (just hoping that was not foreboding the what the weather will have in store for us). A little after 7 we rolled out for Deadwood. About 8 we were in Deadwood, unloading the bikes.

I decided to try riding the first section - climbing up from Deadwood. While the grade is not that bad (about 4%), the thinner air took its toll on me. Made it 6 miles up the hill. Had to walk the last few hundred feet to the trail head. Lactate was builting up in my muscles. Rode in the van for 2 section. Then rode 2 downhill sections from Dumont to Mystic. All totalled 24.77 miles for the day. I was pleased with my effort.

The photo here is me coming out of Tunnel C. Some very beautiful scenery down the canyon from Rochford to Mystic. Mickelson Trail Day 2 today.

Oh, yesterday I hit 1100 miles for the year.

Black Hill Fat Tire Festival

Ladder on the trail at Badlands


Mt. Rushmore from Iron Mountain Highway



Rocky trail - Buzzards Roost

It has been a busy week. Wednesday I headed out from home for South Dakota and the Black Hills Fat Tire Festival. Stopped in the Badlands on the way. Lots of photos in the Badlands. Spent the night in Wall (home of Wall Drug).

Thursday, more photos. Was up for sunrise but overcast day. Not an impressive sunrise. Took lots of photos in flat light. Hikes some of the Castle Trail.

Off to Mt. Rushmore (scenic route). Hiked the trail there. Lots of more photos.

Yesterday the festival got underway. Rode my bike to registration. First ride was in the afternoon. Rode Buzzards Roost. VERY rocky ride. Had to stop to rest, walk some of the trail. Did just 3.3 miles.

Ended the day with the Welcome social at the Chop House (rode my bike from the motel to the social). Mickelson Trail today.

A Week of Riding

Last week I did a lot of riding. Starting Monday the 11th through yesterday, I logged 138 miles. Rode 7 of the last 8 days. Yesterday rode 0ver 20 miles on the trails of Lake Manawa (3+ laps). That was my best effort.

Last month, I set a goal of 1000 miles before Black Hills Fat Tire Festival. I achieved that goal, with miles to spare (1070 miles).

Finishing packing today. Heading off toward Rapid City tomorrow. Going to take an extra day on the road to play tourist and take photos.

It was 2 years ago that I started this blog at BHFTF. Watch for my postings from the festival (time permitting).