Paul Brasby's Legacy Rides

Bikepacking buddy Paul Brasby of North Platte, Nebraska sports a lifetime of individual cycling accomplishments in a variety of disciplines. But his legacy will be his family and his impact on each of their lives. In the latest of years of family focused experiences involving cycling, Paul recently rode the Mickelson Trail twice, northbound and southbound, on a 5 day bikepacking trip with his 13 year old grandson.

This is a story worth telling. 

Rather than writing something myself, I asked Paul if I could reproduce his FaceBook posts on this Mickelson Trail ride, which includes some of the family history behind it. He also captured many great images along the way, of which I selected five for each day to show here. To see all of Paul's images, go to his FaceBook page.

Get out there with others. You never know the impact of your actions.

Day 0 

Bikepacking with Papa...

It all started on our son's 13th Birthday when Tony and I went on a 80 mile road ride and ended up at Lake Maloney where the rest of the family met up with us. We celebrated Tony's birthday at the lake after our arrival. Among his gifts were a new tent and sleeping bag that, of course, was set up and used at the lake that night.

Fast forward many years later and Tony asked if I would take his oldest son Anthony on his 13th birthday bikepacking trip. The memories that were made when Tony and I rode together are still fond memories of his childhood to this day.

So it began. Nana would buy a tent and sleeping bag and Papa would take them on an adventure on two wheels. Four years ago, Anthony and I had a great two day bikepacking trip on the Niobrara River near Valentine, Nebraska. We rode to the waterfalls, camped out under the stars, rode through some back roads on private land (with permission), and checked out a herd of buffalo.

This week, Mattis is with Papa on a 6 day Bikepacking trip on the Mickelson Trail in South Dakota. We are doing the Micky Double, as I like to call it. An out and back of the 109 mile Rails-to-Trails system from Edgemont, SD to Deadwood, SD for a total of 218 miles. A one way route that our youngest daughter Tiffany and I did many years ago on a tandem, with Sherri being our support driver. That, too, brings back fond memories!

With loaded bikes and a new tent and sleeping bag, we headed out the door for the Black Hills of South Dakota. This time, we have a new added item for the trip, a fishing rod, for the little fisherman in the family.

Enjoy the pictures. For the Black Hills of South Dakota has become my go to spot for bikepacking.

Day 0...travel day.

Paul Brasby and grandson Mattis loaded up for their big week.

Iconic Carhenge outside Alliance, NE.

Big buffalo welcomes Mattis to Custer.

Strolling around Crazy Horse Memorial.

Living large in a tipi at Fort We-Like-It Campground outside Custer.

Day 1

Day one on the Mickelson Trail with Mattis.

Custer to Edgemont...45 miles on the trail and Mattis got his first half Century with 50.2 miles of total riding.

Day 2

Day two on the Mickelson Trail with Mattis.

Edgemont to Custer...45 miles and 48 miles of total riding.

Day 3

Day 3 on the Mickelson Trail with Mattis.

Custer to Rochford...40 miles.

Day 4

Day 4 on the Mickelson Trail with Mattis.

Rochford to Deadwood...28 miles 31 total miles.

We are now up to date on our trip. Day 5 starts this morning.

Day 5

Day 5 on the Mickelson Trail with Mattis.

Not the start we wanted, but Mattis finished the Micky Double a day early, with a mic drop.

Mattis woke up sick to his stomach, laid his bike over trying to stop, and struggled to hold down breakfast. Five miles into a 27 mile day, Mattis had to stop. With his hip hurting and his belly turning, I was starting to think we may need turn around and head back to our KOA cabin. I gave him a salt tablet, electrolyte tablet, GU packet, Vit-C, and ibuprofen and let him rest for a bit.

Mattis got back on his bike and never looked back. I had a pesky front tire issue I was dealing with, so I told Mattis to start the climb and I'll catch up. I had all I could do to catch him. He had a nice cadence going and, one by one, the miles ticked by. We found ourselves at our overnight stop by 1pm and decided to push on for Hill City. We arrived at Hill City at 5pm and decided to push on for Custer to put our finishing stamp on the Micky Double. We arrived in Custer at 7:05pm. It was a long day, but his spirits were high. What a comeback from a rough start earlier in the day! Proud of you Mattis! Way to push through and finish what you started!!

Totals for the day... 65 trail miles and 68.5 total miles.