2024 Black Hills Bounty (Day 3) - Take It Easy

Take it easy, take it easy

Don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy

Lighten up while you still can

Don't even try to understand

Just find a place to make your stand and take it easy.

Take It Easy, Jackson Browne & Glenn Frye (1972).

Cruising up the Mickelson Trail out of Custer.
(image by Paul Brasby)

Day 3 of the 2024 Black Hills Bounty.

We roust awake in Custer for our traditional breakfast at Baker's Bakery. Yes, it is a bakery and, yes, it is owned by a family with the last name of Baker. And we love everything about it!

We're a full day ahead of our plans to ride the BackBone Grande to Spearfish, due to bypassing a second day of immersion in the heat sink called Buffalo Gap National Grasslands. But even with yesterday's surprisingly solid ride, we know that we're still recovering from that withering first day. So, we opt for a super easy Day 3 and will get back to the original plan after that.

Mickelson Trail.
(image by Paul Brasby)

Mickelson Trail.
(image by Jeff Caldwell)

So, after a hearty breakfast and a pocketful of pastries to go, we spin up the rails-to-trails Mickelson Trail about 7 miles to Crazy Horse Memorial, tool around there for a bit, and coast back to Custer. That's it.

We took it very easy, lightly spinning past a steady stream of granite formations along meadows and streams. The out-of-staters always enjoy some time on the Mickelson Trail and this relaxing stretch passed quickly. 

Then they wandered around Crazy Horse a bit, before flying back down to Custer.

Crazy Horse Memorial.

Crazy Horse Memorial.
(image by Paul Brasby)

That should do it. Everyone was in high spirits and much more comfortable, on and off the bike.

We'll get back on track for Day 4, which looks to climb a circuitous, challenging route leading to Mt. Rushmore for lunch and ultimately Hill City for the evening.

That hopeful tomorrow is made possible by this Take It Easy Day 3.

Take It Easy, Eagles (1972).

Here's a link to the Black Hills Bounty Page, which describes and links all blog posts for every post for every year of this ride (2021-present). Black Hills Bounty Page.