Bad Devil Tour

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6 days, 5 nights - Sunday through Friday

 

   Bad Devil Tour

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The Bad Devil Tour combines two unique geological wonders of the world with the inspiring beauty of the Badlands National Park and the majestic awe of Devils Tower National Monument, not to mention a tour down Spearfish Canyon, a national scenic by way with the towering walls and a world class trout stream.  At 40 - 60 miles per day, this tour nearly doubles the daily standard of 30 miles a day for our other tours and caps the number of guest to 10.  Another unique feature of the Bad Devil Tour is that all of our accommodations are B&B's with character and charm.  Our first two nights are at the Circle View Guest Ranch B&B perched on a high vista in the Badlands with incredible views.  After our Tuesday morning ride of 30 miles, we utilize the van to escape 60 miles of poor quality bike riding so we can enjoy the afternoon in Spearfish Canyon.  After another spectacular ride, we stay at the Secret Garden B&B, built by the Randolph Hearst Family in 1896.  Our last 2 nights are at the Devils Tower B&B which is nestled near the base of Devils Tower with inexplicable views of the tower itself.  The proprietor is a climbing guide at Devils Tower and plays the grand piano, adding his own unique character and charm to the tour.  On top of the unique scenery and B&B's, the bicycle riding is absolutely superb due to the rolling country and wide open vistas. 

Sunday, Arrival - Our parking place for the week is at a private location in Rapid City where we will meet by 12:00. We will meet those guests who fly at the Airport at 1:00 p.m. and drive 10 miles to start a 20 mile bike ride.  We will drive the last 28 miles to the Circle View Guest Ranch where our host will treat us to hors d'oeuvres and a dinner that will match the incredible scenery and sunset we will experience from their deck overlooking the White River Valley.

• Monday, Bike Tour Begins - First day is 42 - 49 miles in the heart of the Badlands National Park.
  • Following a tasty breakfast, we will begin the incredible Badlands Loop ride in Wall.
  • In 8 miles we will take group pictures at the Pinnacles Overlook with unimaginable views and scenery.
  • We will descend a 4 mile stretch of twisting and winding road that puts you close and personal to the spectacular Badlands formations.
  • The ride continues for 10 more miles with several gentle uphill climbs, but remains fairly easy because the route loses more elevation then it gains.
  • A short hike at the Fossil Exhibit Trail will enlighten you more about the geology of the Badlands (your hiking shoes will be available in the van if you wish).
  • After 4 more miles, lunch will be at the Cedar Pass Lodge followed by a trip to the Park's Visitor Center.
  • The tour includes a side trip up the Cedar Pass Ridge to Big Badlands Overlook and another killer view with a return to the Circle View Guest Ranch for an additional 15 miles.
• Tuesday, Day of Extreme Contrast - This day will include 28 additional miles in the Badlands area, a 60 mile van ride to the Northern Black Hills, and a spectacular 32 mile ride down Spearfish Canyon, a National Scenic Byway.
  • Depart from the Circle View Guest Ranch and ride 28 miles west on route 44 featuring the Conata Basin and Buffalo Gap National Grasslands with the Badlands looming in the near distance. 
  • In fact, this route cuts across the lower southwest section of the park to show off once again the Badlands unique moon like features.
  • After a short break in the village of Scenic, we will load up our bikes and drive 30 minutes to Rapid City for lunch.  Following lunch, we will take a 45 minute scenic drive to the Northern Black Hills where it will feel we went from the Moon to the Garden of Eden making this tour one of the most diverse ever.
  • We will mount our bikes again at Dumont on the Rochford Road, and ride 10 miles to the start of Spearfish Canyon.  This stretch includes a 2 mile ascent with a 7% grade, and is the significant climb for the day.
  • Ride 6 miles to the Latchstring Inn, where there is a must do nature hike including a delightful waterfall.
  • Ride 15 additional miles downhill to the city of Spearfish where we will stay at the Secret Garden B&B.
• Wednesday, Onto Devils Tower - This day is the most challenging day of the tour and depending on wind conditions, could be more than a difficult day.  It includes a 60 mile ride to Devils Tower National Monument from Spearfish.
  • Depart from the Garden Secret B&B and ride 12 miles on a back country road through rolling valleys to the first rest stop in the Hamlet of Beulah, Wyoming. 
  • Continue to Sundance for 18 miles and 1,200 feet of elevation gain where the lunch stop will be.  Sundance is in a beautiful bowl surrounded by Warren Peak to the north and Sundance Mountain to the south.
  • Following lunch includes the second 30 miles of this adventurous day and some of the most pleasant bicycle touring in the Black Hills including first views of the Devils Tower from 10 miles away.  (Remember the movie, "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"?).
  • Arrive at the entrance of Devils Tower National Monument and go directly to the Devils Tower Lodge and B&B just outside the Monument's west boundary in the old superintendent's home.  Relax with a beverage on the house while viewing Devils Tower from the hot tub. Eat a delicious dinner provided by Frank Sanders  and listen to his stories of climbing the tower for 365 days in a row to raise money for a charitable organization.
• Thursday, Playtime - This day is the easiest day of the tour with an open itinerary.  But here are some options.
  • Following a leisurely breakfast, ride your bike 1 mile to the base of Devils Tower itself to the visitor center and then take a 2 mile easy walk around the tower on a paved path. 
  • Ride your bike 13 miles to the small town of Hulett to visit a museum and have lunch.  Return to the B&B or ride bikes to Devils Tower Junction for additional mileage.

• Friday, Final Leg - We will depart from one of the most memorable B&B stays you will ever have and take a 51 mile northern route through the Bear Lodge Mountains to Beulah where you will be shuttled back to Rapid City.
  • Following a leisurely breakfast, ride your bike 13 miles to Hulett.
  • Ride an additional 10 miles to Alva for brief rest stops.
  • Continue to Aladdin by crossing the friendly terrain of the Bear Lodge Mountains along side creeks and tall pines that give this route a four thumbs up by cyclist.
  • Complete a 16 mile ride to Beulah where we will shuttle everyone back to their cars at the Rapid City Airport, for a departure after 6:00 p.m. or to their motels in Rapid City.