Our prettiest stop so far: Spearfish, South Dakota (Part 2)

On our full day in Spearfish, we planned on riding the Spearfish Canyon road up to Savoy and back down. We had figured out how to get to the start the day before, and Barry had actually "cheated" and ridden it once that afternoon.  It's about 13 miles each way so not a hugely long ride by our normal standards, but there is a long, continuous climb up.  Fortunately the grade is not too steep, but it's still challenging.  

Spearfish Canyon is a popular drive and is much beloved by motorcyclists as well.  We rode on a weekday morning, when we expected light motor vehicle traffic.  I am sure it would have been much busier on a summer weekend.

We were lucky enough to have a beautiful day for the ride.  It started off a bit overcast, but clouds soon burned off, and we were left with bright blue skies. 

Up up up up we go!  The scenery is gorgeous, as I am sure you'll agree.

A little cloudy at the start...but not for long

Bright blue skies were soon revealed as morning clouds burned off

About to reach the top in Savoy

A movie you might have seen was filmed near Savoy...cool!

There are a couple of resorts in Savoy.  This one is a real stunner.  What a perfect western setting, no?

After looking around briefly in Savoy (there's not much to see!) we turned around and started riding the thirteen miles back down to Spearfish.  What a hoot!  There were quite a few cyclists climbing up the canyon now.  We'd only seen one on the way up, an older gent whom we passed, but now as we enjoyed the descent, it seemed that more of our kindred spirits had rolled out of bed and started up the road.  Most were friendly, waving and calling out greetings.  We were glad to be going in the downward direction as they climbed!

Of course the descent was fun and easy, but even better, bold Spearfish Creek was now tumbling and rushing over rocks down on our side of the road and playing its beautiful music for us most of the way down. The water was perfectly clear.  Ahhhhhh...this is truly Mother Earth at her finest!

I just couldn't get enough of this view or sound...

Wheeeeeeeeeeee!

Returning to the bottom of the canyon, the creek was much more gentle.  Note the difference in the image below versus the whitewater a couple of photos up.

After riding Spearfish Canyon, Barry and I split up.  I continued riding around the flat town streets and the pretty Spearfish bike path, stopping frequently to take photos of flowers and scenery.  Barry, the machine, rode up the canyon again!  I had briefly thought I might attempt it a second time, but one 13-mile climb ended up being enough for me.

Here are a few photos he snapped on that second ride up of the day.  The angle of the sun made the geological formations and the creek look a bit different than the first ride up and down.  

I can't get over the green lushness here!

The sun was now illuminating Bridal Veil Falls, which had been in shadow in the morning.

Stay tuned for one final post on Spearfish, showing some of the pretty flowers and other scenes around town.