A ride through paradise

Today's ride in the Black Hills from Custer to Rapid City had to be one of the most beautiful days of the entire trip.  We began by climbing 12 miles to the Needles Highway.  The highway took us through cool forests and rock formations.  It crossed corkscrew bridges and tunnels.  

The 5,500 ft of climb was worth all the effort as we were presented with one awesome view after another.  The pics below hardly capture the beauty and tranquility of the place.

From one vantage point I think you could see more than 100 miles to the east.

Coming into Rapid City I was day dreaming and missed my turn causing me to add 5 miles of hills to my 69 mile day. 

It doesn't seem possible that I have only 9 days of riding until we break off and pick up RAGBRAI.