2024 Black Hills Bounty (Day 0) - Back On A Grande Scale

It used to seem to me, that my life ran on too fast,

And I had to take it slowly, just to make the good parts last.

But when you're born to run, it's so hard to just slow down,

So don't be surprised to see me back in the bright part of town.

I'll be back in the high life again,

All the doors I closed one time,

Will open up again. 

Back In The High Life, Steve Winwood & Will Jennings (1985).

Stunning sunset from High Plains Homestead.
(image by Paul Brasby)

The Black Hills Bounty is an annual weeklong bikepacking trip in the Black Hills of South Dakota that I create for cycling buddy Paul Brasby of North Platte, Nebraska and a growing assortment of his friends from Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, and Colorado. We started with a tour of the Central Black Hills (2021), then the Southern Black Hills (2022), and then the Northern Black Hills and Bear Lodge Mountains (2023). 

Now in the fourth year, Paul decided to take on a chunk of the BackBone Grande route, which crosses the entire state of South Dakota on remote, rough roads smack through the best of the Black Hills and surrounding prairie. See, BackBone Grande Page. We're going back in the high life, again.

Jeff Caldwell and Luke Derstein soak in the pre-ride vibe at High Plains Homestead.

Gathering his forces at the High Plains Homestead RV Camp just south of Toadstool Geological Park in northwestern Nebraska, Paul sought to ride gravel a bit north to the South Dakota border and then follow the BackBone Grande route all the way to Spearfish, with a couple of wrinkles. Over many conversations throughout a long winter, we mapped out a pretty straight-forward schedule, certainly one that these seasoned cyclists could handle.

All told, we planned 7 riding days, including a day to swing down Needles Highway, up and down Iron Mountain Road, and into Mount Rushmore National Monument, with overnights along the way in a variety of cabins, campgrounds, and dispersed sites. A gourmet smorgasbord for any bikepacker.

Pre-ride dinner inside the High Plains Homestead Saloon.
(image by Jeff Caldwell)

From an initial group of thirteen enthusiastic bikepackers, five ultimately arrived at High Plains Homestead on the eve of the ride. The relatively small number did not diminish our chattered anticipation or bursting exuberance as we packed gear, prepared bikes, reviewed maps, shared a meal in a saloon built in the Old West, and joyfully relaxed in a swimming pool overlooking a brilliant sunset. 

A start worthy of the ride ahead. And one to remember.

Old West town features buildings built in the 1800's.
(image by Paul Brasby)

Secure housing at the High Plains Homestead Jail.

Addendum. Here's a link to the Black Hills Bounty Page, which includes a description and link to every post for every year of this ride. Black Hills Bounty Page.

Back In The High Life, Steve Winwood (1985).