Black Hills BackBone: BackBone Grande Visual Tour (7) - Buffalo to North Dakota Border (miles 380-421)

Well, it's all right, riding around in the breeze

Well, it's all right, if you live the life you please

Well, it's all right, even if the sun don't shine

Well, it's all right, we're going to the end of the line.

End Of The Line, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty (1989).

The BackBone Grande is my 420+ mile backroad bikepacking route across the State of South Dakota along the spine of the Black Hills and through the surrounding prairie. Inspired by my experience riding the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, I designed it to create that type of experience here in my back yard. Tracking rough roads that showcase the best of our scenery, history, culture, and wildlife, the BackBone Grande is a great ride on its own and as a shakedown for the GDMBR. For a collection of my stories all about it, go the BackBone Grande Page.

For those more visual learners, I've selected images along the route from various scouting trips, the first through-ride, and other rides. Here is my seventh installment of the BackBone Grande Visual Tour, from the town of Buffalo to the North Dakota border (miles 380-421).

From the cowboy town of Buffalo, the BackBone Grande continues to streak across the Northern Prairie on solid county gravel past large cattle ranches. Then, with the North Dakota border practically within sight, a fun Low Standard Road climbs to a forested, lumpy oasis in the midst of millions of acres of grassland. It's a lonely outcropping of Custer Gallatin National Forest, with the surprising Picnic Springs Campground waiting on top.

This isn't part of the Black Hills, but rather a farewell gift of a final, backcountry gem before the border.

It's the end of the line. And it's all right.

Here's a photo gallery of the BackBone Grande route from the town of Buffalo to the North Dakota border (miles 380-421). Also, here are links to prior blog posts about this section. BackBone Grande Introduction - Oasis in the Northern Prairie; BackBone Grande Through-Ride - Grand Finale.

Also, here are links to prior Visual Tour posts: Nebraska Border to Buffalo Gap (miles 0-95); Buffalo Gap to Custer (miles 95-135); Custer to Hill City (miles 135-163 & alternative); Hill City to Hanna Campground (miles 163-225); Hanna Campground to Spearfish (miles 225-265).

Rolling out of Buffalo on Lyons Road (Old Highway 85).
(image by Paul Brasby)

Further east on Lyons Road.

(image by Paul Brasby)

Turning north on Brown-Johnson Road.

(image by Paul Brasby)

Approaching a big ranch on Brown-Johnson Road.

(image by Paul Brasby)

Wily fox surveys from a unique vantage point.

(image by Paul Brasby)

Pondering the journey ahead on South Cave Road.

(image by Paul Brasby)

South Cave Road looks to be climbing toward some hills.

(image by Paul Brasby)

Surprising evergreen-topped lumps ahead along Tufte Road.
What's that doing out here?

Tufte Road starts to climb up that valley.

(image by Paul Brasby)

Climbing in earnest on Tufte Road.

(image by Paul Brasby)

Turning off Tufte Road onto USFS Low Standard Road 3123.
(image by Paul Brasby)

Another sweeping switchback on Road 3123.
(image by Paul Brasby)

Topping out.
(image by Paul Brasby)

Another curve leads to another pitch.
(image by Paul Brasby)

It's not flat on top.

Still rolling around on Road 3123.

Road 3123.
(image by Paul Brasby)

Approaching Fuller Pass.

A view from USFS Picnic Springs Campground in Custer Gallatin National Forest.
It feels like you're back in the Black Hills.

No reservation, no fee, first-come-first-served USFS campground, with 9 sites and 2 group sites.
Spring water, picnic tables, fire pits, and vault toilets.