Route Overview: The Big Picture (Final Cut)

Whoa.  This is going to be one long, challenging ride.  The individual pieces each seem reasonable, but reality hits when viewing them all together in the big picture.  This will be more than a stretch for me.

So, the Black Hills BackBone route is complete, with a turn-by-turn narrative for the entire route spilling over 8 separate blog posts.  This is a recap of each of those 8 posts, with running mileage, additional pictures and links to the full posts.  The final tally:  305 miles, over 270 of which are gravel or dirt, with about 16,500 feet of elevation gain, most of which are jammed into the 100 miles within the Black Hills.  For those wishing to physically or mentally ride along, GPS mapping is in final review and cue sheets are drafted.  Should be a ride to remember.

The signature shot for the Black Hills BackBone.  The best remote roads around.

1.  The Start:  NoWhere, North Dakota to the Geographic Center of the United States  (79 miles / 79 miles total)

The beginning of this 300+ mile journey lies at the northern border of South Dakota, less than 20 miles east of Montana, on Table Mountain Road (Harding County Road 233).  There's actually a carved stone marking the state border, if you look for it long enough, are willing to hop a barbed wire fence and cross a solid 50 meters of cow pie laden pasture.  Notwithstanding the marker, it's still way out there.  It's still NoWhere, North Dakota.  Full Post HERE

In the beginning, the northern prairie stretches before you, unfolding its unvarnished character. 

2.  The Geographic Center of the United States to Spearfish  (56 miles / 135 miles total)

From the high plains of the Geographic Center of the United States to the entrance into the Black Hills at the college town of Spearfish, these 56 miles of the Black Hills BackBone deliver a visual feast.  Of all the highlights, however, two stretches really stand out, both Minimum Maintenance Roads specifically included as a tribute to TransIowa founder and gravel grinder guru Mark Stevenson.  Thanks, Mark, for your inspiration and dedication.  I'll need all of it, with these deeply rutted, nearly impassable when wet roads starting over 120 miles into the Black Hills BackBone.  Full Post HERE

More so than individuals, herds of buffalo inspire wonder, knowing that their ancestors filled the northern plains.

3.  Spearfish to O'Neil Pass  (30 miles / 165 miles total)

Coasting into the college town of Spearfish after 135 miles of big prairie gravel and dirt, the Black Hills BackBone is about to earn its name.  Time to climb into the Hills.  This stretch is essentially a 30 mile climb on a National Forest Service Road.  Yep.  30 miles.  Full Post HERE

The 135 mile warmup of exposed prairie pays off with a 30 mile washboard climb to the spine of the Black Hills. 

4.  O'Neil Pass to Deerfield Lake  (30 miles / 195 miles total)

With the 30 mile ascension of O'Neil Pass, the Black Hills BackBone deeply embeds one into the thick pine forests of the Northern Hills.  Ahead promises another 30 miles of shorter, but steeper, climbs and descents, winding along secondary U.S. National Forest Service gravel and dirt roads through remote logging and recreational high country.  The next destination is Deerfield Lake, a high altitude sparkling jewel at mile 195 of the BackBone.  Full Post HERE

Grades steepen, roads narrow, sight lines shrink, ruts multiply, gravel diminishes.  But glimpses of distant granite.

 5.  Deerfield Lake to Custer  (31 miles / 226 miles total)

In designing the route for the Black Hills BackBone, I set out to include my favorite back country roads, with memorable highlights, within the constraints of a generally North to South traverse of the Black Hills.

That can get complicated.  Spinning south out of Deerfield Lake, the Central Black Hills explode into a confuzzling labyrinth of gravel roads, dirt roads, abandoned roads, wanna-B roads, skid trails, hiking trails and paths.  Some are labeled, perhaps with numbers, letters or numbers and letters.  The roads may be county, state, a division of the state, like the Game, Fish & Parks, or one of a smorgasbord of federal agencies.  Some aren't even roads.  They just look like one, until they don't.  I've been misplaced on many of these "roads."

Time to simplify.  Sort of.  Some things I just had to include.  Full Post HERE

Wind wears.  Water weakens.  Earth cracks and heaves.   Crops of granite burst into daylight in the Heart of the Hills.

6.  Custer to Buffalo Gap  (33 miles / 259 miles total)

For me, this is the best of the best.  This is where I most love to ride.  In about 33 miles, these remote roads wind up conifer stuffed, granite spiked hills, roll down creek filled valleys, climb a final ridge to a stunning vista, and drop to the prairie below.  All along is history, wildlife, folk culture and more.

I know there's nice stuff further west, from Jewel Cave to Pringle to Edgemont.  But that's for others, or for a different day.  I'm going from Custer to Buffalo Gap.  Full Post HERE

Emerging from the blanket of thick forests and hard rocks of the Black Hills, the broken prairie beckons.

7.  Buffalo Gap to Oelrichs  (26 miles / 285 miles total)

From Buffalo Gap, the Black Hills BackBone bursts out of the shadows of the Black Hills and hurtles into the wide open spaces of Western South Dakota prairie.  This 26 mile stretch from Buffalo Gap to Oelrichs is full of surprises, so stay alert.  And know this.  There are very, very few trees, hills, rock formations or anything else that shields, or even slows down, the relentless winds out there.

One exception is Ash Road, a 3 mile roller coaster of short, steep hills, a rare-for-these-parts center pivot irrigation system and a hint of a gravel grid system, all reminiscent of Gravel Worlds.  Gotta pay tribute to the Pirates.  Full Post HERE

The hard life of the dry southern prairie, where cemeteries outnumber towns.

 8.  The Finish Line:  Oelrichs to NothingThere, Nebraska  (20 miles / 305 miles total)

Although the journey may be more complex, the destination of the Black Hills BackBone is simple:  the South Dakota border with Nebraska.  The finish line itself is equally simple:  an unmarked boundary between the two states where Black Banks Road t-bones into Dakota Line Road in Fall River County, South Dakota.  No town.  No lights.  No markings.  Not even a spot on a regular road map.  Just a STOP sign.  If you want to ceremonially enter Nebraska, you can dip your wheel into the ditch across from Dakota Line Road.  Perfect.  Full Post HERE

The billowing ribbon of snow-lined gravel fades to dirt as the BackBone reaches for the Nebraska border.

All that's left is to ride it.  Maybe a few minor things like my bike and gear, nutrition and hydration, resupply possibilities and other logistics, like a ride to the start and from the finish.  Mere details.  The Black Hills BackBone is now out there.  Waiting.

O'Neil Pass to Deerfield Lake

With the 30 mile ascension to O'Neil Pass, the Black Hills BackBone deeply embeds one into the thick pine forests of the Northern Hills.  Ahead promises another 30 miles of shorter, but steeper, climbs and descents, winding along on secondary U.S. Forest Service gravel and dirt roads through remote logging and recreational high country.  The next destination is Deerfield Lake, a high altitude sparkling jewel at mile 195 of the BackBone.

On the descent to Deerfield Lake, glimpses of remote high plains tucked into the steep Hills.

So, it's into the heart of the hills.  On paved U.S. Highway 85, just before the summit of O'Neil Pass, turn Left (south) onto graveled O'Neil Pass Road for about 1 mile, and then again turn Left (south) on South Rapid Creek Road (231).  This is the high country of the Black Hills, with snow pack supporting downhill ski and snowboard resorts, snowmobile trails and camps, and now fat bike events like the Minus 28, part of the Savoy Winter Challenge.

In mid March, South Rapid Creek Road (231) remains snow stuffed.

Enjoy the undulating forest gravel of South Rapid Creek Road (231) for about 11.5 miles to USFS Black Fox Campground (233).  Resist all the other tempting roads, trails and paths and resolve to return to explore them on another day.

Take a hard Right (southwest) onto Black Fox Camp Road (233), which winds along, climbing a bit.  After about 5 miles, turn Left (east) onto Flag Mountain Road (189) for a spin past the North Fork Castle Creek Natural Area and Flag Mountain itself.  For the exceptionally spunky, a mile long spur to the top of Flag Mountain (elev. 6937) beckons.  Not for the BackBone, however.  Stay the course.

Just rolling along on the Black Hills BackBone.

Just 7 miles on Flag Mountain Road (189), the BackBone drops to the edge of Reynolds Prairie, a high plains in the very middle of the Black Hills.  Turn Right (south) on paved South Rochford Road for about 1.5 miles, then a Left (east) onto paved Deerfield Road.  About 1.5 miles later, turn Left (north) on 421, which leads to USFS WhiteTail Campground in about a mile.  Take a break.  There's water here, and great views.

Flag Mountain Road hints at the big granite ahead - Mt. Rushmore, Cathedral Spires, Crazy Horse.

From the WhiteTail Campground, continue on 421 for about a mile, then turn Right (west) on paved Deerfield Road.  But don't get too comfortable on pavement.  About a half mile later, turn Left (south) on Williams Draw Road (691).  The Black Hills BackBone is about to dive into the very Heart of the Hills.

Spearfish to O'Neil Pass

Coasting into the college town of Spearfish after about 135 miles of big prairie gravel and dirt, the Black Hills BackBone is about to earn its name.  Time to climb into the Hills.

It starts early on the 30 mile climb out of Spearfish.

From the corner of Hills View Road and McGuigan Road, spin south on McGuigan Road and get comfortable going uphill.  That's what's ahead for most of the next 30 miles.  Yep.  30 miles.

That's a lot of signs for a t-bone intersection.  Just go up. 

At about 1.5 miles, McGuigan Road t-bones into Tinton Road (USFS 134).  Turn right (west) onto Tinton Road.  Relative to the rest of the BackBone, there's a fair amount of rural residential development and some logging along this road, with the attendant traffic.  But the roads are wide for these parts and the sight lines moderate, so it's a nice ride, if a little rough.

Up into the Hills.  

Tinton Road (134) steadily climbs past several Northern Hills destinations, including Big Hill, a popular snowmobile area, Iron Creek Lake, home of the Iron Creek X-Terra triathlon and School House Gulch Road, which leads to Cement Ridge lookout, a highlight of the Gold Rush Gravel Grinder.  The road twists and turns, climbs and climbs, and sometimes drops a bit, before climbing again.  Do not take any of the numerous other roads, at least not on this ride.  Stay on 134 for 26 miles until you finally emerge on paved U.S. Highway 85, the CanAm Highway.

Confirmation of the climb.

 Turn right (west) onto paved U.S. Highway 85 for about 1.5 miles of more uphill.  Just before the top at O'Neil Pass, turn left (south) onto graveled O'Neil Pass Road.  The long climb is over.  Many shorter climbs lie ahead.

Geographic Center of the United States to Spearfish

From the high plains of the Geographic Center of the United States to the entrance into the Black Hills at the college town of Spearfish, these 56 miles of the Black Hills BackBone deliver a visual feast.  Of all the highlights, however, two stretches really stand out, both Minimum Maintenance Roads ("MMR") specifically included as a tribute to TransIowa founder and gravel grinder guru Mark Stevenson.  Thanks, Mark for your inspiration and dedication.  I'll need all of it, with these virtually impassable when wet, deeply rutted dirt roads starting at 120 miles into the BackBone.

Deeply rutted Sale Barn Road leading into the cow town of St. Onge.

So, here's the details.  From the Geographic Center of the United States, continue South (straight) on Old Highway 85 for about 8 miles of more big roller, big view prairie gravel.  Turn NorthEast (left) on U.S. Highway 85 for 0.5 miles and then East (right) on Brooker Road.  There's a few more ranches and even some irrigation here, as the Belle Fouche Reservoir approaches.

Heading toward the Black Hills.

After 7.5 miles on Brooker Road, turn South (right) on Arpan Road, which eventually reveals vistas of the Belle Fouche Reservoir and the still-off-in-the-distance Black Hills.

At 13 miles, Arpan Road t-bones with U.S. Highway 212.  Turn West (right) for 1.6 miles and then South (left) on Fruitdale Road for a short 3 miles.  Fruitdale is a collection of buildings, some of which appear to be inhabited, but none of which are open commercial establishments.  Since it's only another 12 miles to the St. Onge Bar, I plan to ride through.

South of Fruitdale through a river bottom before some hilly foothills.

Fruitdale Road crosses the Belle Fouche River and t-bones with Snowma Road.  Turn East (left) for 0.5 miles, then South (right) on Crooked Oaks Road.  Now, this is different country.  Shorter, steeper rollers, with twisty gravel through sporadic clusters of oak trees and occasional pines.  I can only imagine the fall colors.

Crooked Oaks Road has a few steep pitches that seem to go up with each bend in the road.

After 5.5 miles, Crooked Oaks Road runs into a t-bone.  Take the non-obvious East (left) turn onto Sale Barn Road, a Minimum Maintenance Road ("MMR").  This particular 2 mile stretch of MMR is deeply rutted and passable now primarily due to the snow pack.  After 2 miles, turn West (right) at a four way intersection, which will keep you on Sale Barn Road.  About a half mile later, turn NorthWest (right) on U.S. Highway 34.  This is the rollicking livestock sale town of St. Onge.  The only place in town, the St. Onge Bar, is worth the stop.  It's also been 73 miles since the last planned water stop at Harding.

From St. Onge, continue NorthWest on U.S. Highway 34 for 2 miles, then turn West (left) onto 196th Street.  Odd that this remote road does not have a more colorful name.  It certainly deserves one.

Rolling hills on good prairie gravel on 196th Street.

After 4 miles on 196th Street, turn South (left) on LookOut Mountain Road, which starts out as gravel before turning into another MMR as it winds up, along and then over a ridge line.  I have not tested the veracity of the sign's message, but it was a challenge to pass when mostly frozen.

Back to Minimum Maintenance Roads, this time with some steeps.

Turn West (right) onto Kerwin Lane, which becomes more and more residential as the college town of Spearfish nears.  After about 2 miles on Kerwin Lane, turn South (left) onto U.S. Highway 85 for 1.5 miles to a stop light at Hills View Road.  If in need of provisions, stop in this area, as there likely will be nothing, other than perhaps water, until Custer.  That's about 80-90 miles of Black Hills gravel away.

From the intersection of U.S. Highway 85 and Hills View Road, turn West onto Hills View Road for 1.5 miles to McGuigan Road, which will become USFS 134.  Turn South (left) onto McGuigan Road and prepare to enter the Black Hills.

Gravel Grinder 101

The Black Hills BackBone takes a back seat this weekend, as I am amped up to get on the 2015 race roster for Odin's Revenge, a 170+ mile gravel and dirt road race in central Nebraska.  This race sparked my passion for gravel grinders, and the folks who organize, volunteer and ride them.

As excited as I am, it also reminded me of last summer's IC3 National Camp, where almost none of the long time, dedicated cyclists had even heard of a such a thing.  So, I wrote an introduction to gravel grinders that was published on August 8, 2014 on ChristianCycling.com.  If you love to ride, really ride, and you love to ride with those of kindred spirit, you'll love gravel grinders.  Here it is.  Gravel Grinder 101.

Mark Stevenson, aka Guitar Ted, paces me up a final hill to Check Point 1 at 2013 Odin's Revenge.
(photo by Kyle Vincent)

Unless you’re from the nation’s breadbasket, you may be unfamiliar with the grassroots phenomena of “gravel grinders” popping up like dandelions all over the countryside.  Gravel grinders are unsanctioned, unsupported endurance bicycle races on primarily gravel and dirt roads, with little or no outside support, course markings, fees or prizes.  There are no governing bodies, race officials, or licenses.  Just a dedicated race organizer and some volunteers plotting out a unique course highlighting local, out-of-the-way sights and sounds, with unapologetic bike geeks gathering for a long day, or more, of racing, adventure and camaderie. 

Gravel grinders are a great experience for avid cyclists of all kinds.  By their very nature, and by the nature of the folks that organize, volunteer and race these events, gravel grinders provide a great opportunity to meet cyclists where they are and to build relationships. 

Although gravel grinders are races and they keep score, the spirit of inclusiveness is real and palpable.  All kinds of cyclists show up.  Many are road and cyclocross racers.  Others have more experience as endurance mountain bike racers.  Others haven’t raced much, if at all, but are passionate recreational riders of all kinds, including randonneurs, century riders, commuters and tourists.  All are welcomed and encouraged to give it a go and share the experience with everyone involved. 

You’ll also see all kinds of bikes.  Many race cyclocross bikes, with as fat a tire as the frame allows.  But the gravel grinders I’ve entered also included rigid, hard tail and fully suspended mountain bikes, tandems and even fat bikes.  Road bikes, or any bike with tires less than 30 mm, will likely provide practice for pinch flat repair.  Most run gears, but you’ll see some singlespeeds and even an occasional fixed gear.  But, hey, run what ‘cha brung. 

Because many gravel grinders start pretty early on a Saturday morning, the pre-race meeting is often held on early Friday evening.  Here, the race organizer typically hands out cue sheets for the first section of the course, walks through the opportunities on the course for water and supplies, describes emergency and bail out procedures, identifies checkpoints, points out particular highlights and hazards, and answers questions.  As one might expect, before and after the actual meeting, these turn into informal social gatherings, as folks meet and reconnect, perhaps over a couple of local micro-brews or other treats.

Whether before, during or after the race, I believe that much of the positive atmosphere of gravel grinders directly results from the races being unsupported and social, while still being competitive.  During the race, the field self-selects pretty quickly, even for races of 100 or 200 miles.  Once the race hits gravel, pacelines streak out in two of the three tracks that typically form over time from motor vehicle traffic on the gravel roads.  With little or no traffic, it’s easy to ride two abreast with another of similar ability or ambition.  With no outside support allowed, racers depend on themselves and help each other, even at the front of the race.  With no course markings, racers share navigation duties to stay on course, or return to the course.  With no feed zones or crews, racers find convenience stores for food and water, and share if not available or closed.   Believe it or not, there are gravel grinders with little or spotty cell coverage, and some distance for emergency personnel, so racers really look after each other.  All this while remaining a race.  It really is something to experience.   

So, how did all this start?  The founding father and keeper of the flame of today’s gravel grinder is Mark Stevenson, aka “Guitar Ted,” a bike mechanic and Christian worship band guitarist who ten years ago started a 300+ mile gravel race dubbed “TransIowa.”  In general, TransIowa and its progeny feature free registration, no licensing, unsanctioned, self-supported endurance bicycle racing on unmarked public gravel and dirt roads through relatively remote countryside.  Racers receive a cue sheet, with directions for an initial portion of the course.  Racers that reach the end of the first set of cue sheets by a pre-determined time cut-off receive a second set of cue sheets.  Those that miss the cut-off do not.  Longer races may have multiple cut-offs and checkpoints.  Racers generally carry much of what they think they need, but may re-supply at small towns and convenience stores along the way.  These races are largely self-policed, although race organizers are known to throw in a surprise checkpoint or two, often with water and treats, to keep folks on course.  The course usually changes each year to keep the navigation and adventure component.  Popular gravel grinders in kindred spirit with TransIowa include Almanzo in Spring Valley, MN, Odin’s Revenge in Gothenburg, NE, Gravel Worlds in Lincoln, NE, and many others.

Being unsanctioned and ultimately grassroots, each gravel grinder forges its own path.  For example, other races may provide cue sheets in advance, even digitally, keep the same course year after year, allow some level of outside support at designated spots, charge an entry fee, provide schwag or award substantial prizing.  Popular gravel grinders containing many of those elements include Dirty Kanza in Emporia, KS, Rebecca’s Private Idaho in Ketchum, Idaho and Gold Rush Gravel Grinder in Spearfish, SD.  

Check out some gravel grinders to find one that appeals to you.  Guitar Ted maintains a calendar of gravel races and events at www.gravelgrindernews.com.  Or contact me.  I’d be happy to help you get started.  Also, for a heart felt post about the spirit of gravel grinders, go to this post on Guitar Ted’s blog, g-tedproductions.blogspot.com  - http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-reason-for-what-i-do.html  New text -  also, go to ridinggravel.com for event calendars, reviews, forums and more.

Gravel grinders.  There’s an adventure out there for you.  And you’ll probably meet a few folks along the way.

The Start: NoWhere, North Dakota to the Geographic Center of the United States

The Black Hills BackBone is a cross state remote road ride from NoWhere, North Dakota to NothingThere, Nebraska along the spine of the Black Hills.  The start of this 300+ mile journey lies at the northern border of South Dakota, less than 20 miles east of Montana, on Table Mountain Road (Harding County Road 733).    There's actually a carved stone marking the state border, if you look for it long enough, are willing to hop a barbed wired fence, and cross a solid 50 meters of cow pie laden pasture.  Notwithstanding the marker, it's still way out there.  It's still NoWhere, North Dakota.  

Border marker at NoWhere, North Dakota.

So, here's the first 80 miles or so of the Black Hills BackBone, from the Start to the Geographic Center of the United States in rural Harding County, South Dakota.  That seemed like a good place to stop for a spell.

Riding south on Table Mountain Road (733) at Mile Marker 0, angle West (right) after about 1.5 miles and spin south on wide open prairie gravel, with Table Mountain looming to the East.  Ride within the posted speed limit.  It's 300+ miles to Nebraska.

Mile marker 0 on Table Mountain Road at the North Dakota border.

After about 9 miles from the start, turn West (right) onto Ladner Road for 4 miles heading west and then a sweeping turn to the south for 2 more miles.  These are prairie gravel roads, with generally long sight lines and significant exposure.  The gravel typically is not too thick and usually has two, sometimes three, tracks to follow.

Starting off right with miles of broken prairie.

After those 6 miles on Ladner Road, there's a 90 degree West (right) turn.  Do not take that, but continue South (straight past that intersection) on what is now called Bullock Road.  After 7.5 miles, continue on Bullock Road by turning West (right) at a t-bone intersection.  Ride West for 2.5 miles, where Bullock Road turns South (left) for another 8.5 miles to paved U.S. Highway 20.

Hints of a distant past poke through the ocean of grass.

As you can see, there are not many roads out there, but they often do not stick to a single north-south or east-west direction for a given name.  It's probably a good thing this is the beginning of the BackBone, before the eyes cross and the mind wanders. 

At paved U.S. Highway 20, turn West (right) for about 0.5 miles, then turn South (left) back onto gravel on Harding Road.  This is a nice, rolling stretch of prairie, with a smattering of buttes and hills rising on both horizons.  There are even a few patches of pine trees up in some of the hills, as well the prevailing cottonwoods along the creeks and drainages.  Out here are coyotes, fox, skunk, jack rabbits, quail, hawks and eagles, as well as hundreds of buffalo.

After 13 miles on Harding Road and about 47 miles into the BackBone, we'll stop at the almost dormant town of Harding for water, as there are few opportunities in the next 80 miles or so.

With water topped off, continue South out of Harding on Harding Road for about 18 miles, where it t-bones into Old Highway 85.  Turn West (right) for a 13.8 mile shot to today's destination:  the Geographical Center of the United States.  I do not know how one determines such things, or why anyone would do so, but there it is.  Pay careful attention to the East (your left) because it's really easy to miss.  There's a rock cairn and a handwritten sign at the fence line beside the road.  A bandit foot path leads to the actual U.S. Geological Survey marker about 100 meters out onto the prairie.

That's the first 80 miles or so of the Black Hills BackBone.  Route followers will notice that I changed the Start Line from my earlier post entitled "The Big Picture."  My initial plan was to start on Camp Crook Road (Harding County 867), less than 3 miles from the Montana border.  However, when I actually got up there, I found not the expected gravel, but pavement for the first 12 miles.  After some scouting about, I chose this new Start Line. 

Buffalo Gap to Oelrichs

From Buffalo Gap, the Black Hills BackBone bursts out of the shadows of the Black Hills and hurtles into the wide open spaces of Western South Dakota prairie.  This 25 mile section from Buffalo Gap to Oelrichs is full of surprises, so stay alert.  And know this.  There are very, very few trees, hills, rock formations or anything else that shields, or even slows down, the relentless winds out there.  Today, the gusty cross winds blew me right off my line so many times I lost track.

Toward the horizon lies a bridge over the River Cheyenne.

So, here's Buffalo Gap to Oelrichs on the Black Hills BackBone.  Entering Buffalo Gap on 7-11 Road, turn South (right) on 4th Street, an immediate East (left) on Elm Street, and then South (the second right) on 2nd Street.  Riding south on 2nd Street, do not miss the Buffalo Gap Trading Post on your right.  A picker's paradise stuffed full of stuff.  Some of it is even for sale.  After perusing the wares during last summer's DED Dirt Ride, Shaun's going back with his truck and trailer.

"Hey!  These are my people!" exalts Shaun.

Continue south out of town on 2nd Street, which turns into Buffalo Gap Road (6291), for a dose of mostly up, sometimes down, relatively thick prairie gravel.  Occasional glimpses of asphalt buried below the gravel do not diminish the vibe, but speak to an old road on a sustainable path.  Eventually, after 7 miles, Buffalo Gap Road drops to the Cheyenne River and into the village of Oral.

Downtown Oral, with a little hill out of town.  There's more ahead.

Turn East (left) on Fall River County Road 2.  1.5 miles later, turn South (right) on Ash Road.  Here, the BackBone showcases a rare-for-these-parts center pivot irrigation system, a hint of a gravel grid system, and a steady diet of steep rollers, all reminiscent of Gravel Worlds.  Gotta pay tribute to the Pirates.  After 3 miles on Ash Road, turn East (left) on Hay Canyon Road for just a mile before turning South (right) on Sand Creek Road.  Now, there's just 4 miles to the village of Smithwick, a welcoming place.

Stopped for a Hammer Gel and some HEED, thank you.

Turn East (left) at Smithwick Road for about one-half mile, then turn South (right) on North Butte Road (Fall River County Road 2).  Big exposure, big hills, big views and an aptly named Windy Butte highlight these final 8 miles to U.S. Highway 18.  That's another 25 miles knocked off the BackBone.  Cross the highway and pick up the route described on the post entitled Oelrichs to the Finish.

Post script.  I guess this is how to park a train overnight.  There were many cars extending in both directions.