Ep 6: Three days on the Mickelson Rail Trail: A South Dakota Gem

This week we ride our ebikes 109 miles on the George S Mickelson Trail in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
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Some elements are from a subscription to Envato Elements.
Music in this video is from a subscription with Epidemic Sound.

[@peach_25]

What a surprise, I did not expect South Dakota to be so scenic. 🤠

[@hdtravel1]

SD is a gorgeous state - come visit us !! Everyone is welcome !!

[@brianmitson8032]

We can't wait for Sunday mornings and a new one of your videos. No more "Meet the Press" for us! LOL You and John take us to the most interesting historical places. Thanks.

[@FromShetoMe]

😅Yep, turn off the news and turn on life.

[@billwilliams5889]

Another excellent video. A lot of effort, time and skill went into it - with the end result that us viewers to ride along with you guys.

[@jomcfarland3118]

Oh my, I would love to do this trail! Thank you for bringing us along!

[@lennicelytle2654]

Great video! Really enjoyed seeing you on the trail and at the campground! Sorry we took your shady spot. 😉. Looking forward to meeting up again!

[@FromShetoMe]

LOL. Would gladly give up our spot again for you guys!

[@timsmith7625]

Thanks for the video and adventure! Nice bike trail and maybe someday will have to try it….Hope no damage from the hail as it can be some very large hail at times….Sorry the ice cream wasn’t great, you guys should know! 🍦🍦 Safe travels! Hot in MT the past few weeks.

[@lll-i4j]

Yes! Good Sunday morning with my coffee and a video From She to Me :)

[@judyfeldman5066]

That was one crazy bike trail. Not sure I could mange that one. Love the tunnel songs of John.

[@FromShetoMe]

You absolutely could.

[@judyfeldman5066]

@@FromShetoMe thanks for the vote of confidence 😉

[@EJS1970]

We have GOT to do that bike ride. Loved it and love your videos!!

[@joyfultrails]

Greetings from a trail enthusiast and fellow Insta360 aficionado. This trail is on my list. Hope to get to it someday. Enjoyed the video! I really appreciate the historical information and your approach to videography and editing. Excellent music choices!

[@FromShetoMe]

Thank you so much!

[@daveholte7658]

Having a less than desirable day… you both made my day complete.. and relive my SD days on the Big Mick Trail. Thanks so much. I lived worked and played on that trail from 1998-2009. It was my go to place for hiking biking and a few Marathons, in my opinion the best 109 mile limestone trail in the USA Your videos are Outstanding!!!! Well done and so professional Thanks for changing my Sunday around.., Travel safe. Be well

[@FromShetoMe]

Thanks so much. You got to experience the trail in its infancy. So smart to save that route.

[@DragonflightAdventures1]

Good video. The Mickelson is a fun trail. I’ve rode several segments but not whole trail. Think I’ll look for that rickity trestle part when there in Sept. Thanks for sharing your ride with us!

[@FromShetoMe]

It’s not far from Edgemont. You could start there and just ride to Sheep’s Canyon to see it.

[@campoutwestus]

What a beautiful ride! I really enjoyed all of the historical information along the way. Thanks for taking us along on the adventure!

[@angpb6176]

Wow, what a fun trail and beautiful country! Just as I was thinking how lucky you were to have a great weather window for your ride… hail🤣 Wonderful ride & video!

[@ruthtorphy2204]

Wow. Thank you for shearing all your information. It’s been a joy.

[@bettyjorodgers8552]

Thank you so much.

[@hdtravel1]

SD is a gorgeous state - I live in Rapid City SD - come on out and visit us !! Everyone is welcome here in SD - a great place to live or visit !!

[@FromShetoMe]

I agree!

[@always.wondering.wandering]

Nice ride! I agree that old car would be some really cool yard art. 😆Trains, planes and automobiles. When did John start doing the ole, ole? Hope you didn't suffer any hail damage. I've got the temps in the 60's right now where I'm travelin, it's nice. Thanks for the share today, take care.

[@FromShetoMe]

He’s manifesting his Ryan VanDuzer.

[@jackfarris7056]

My partner and I did the trail in sept. 2019. On our last day we ran into a big organized group as well.

[@FromShetoMe]

Yep, that was probably the annual ride.

[@SueFletcher-k4r]

Thanks so much for this video! I did not know of this trail, but can’t wait to ride it. Safe travels!

[@brucegustafson6943]

Another fantastic video with another great location! Thanks!

[@marshashannon2330]

Wow! You two are amazing 👏👏👏

[@camperab]

Thanks for your video. I enjoyed the wonderful pictures of your bike rides. Safe riding! I had a slight bike accident. Wrist, elbow and knee try to recover 😁

[@FromShetoMe]

That’s no good!

[@mikefarrell5996]

Good riding, beautiful trail.

[@Shadowgrey5937]

hi!!! you are quite the gadget queen ;) - nice video ❤

[@lizchilders4154]

Want to ride that trail and return to our RV each day and cover new ground the next day. Will have to figure out how to do that. Was on that trail years ago. Left from Pringle, but only covered a little over 10 miles. Was too fresh from major surgery to go too far. Loved it though. Had a nice steak in a local bar in Pringle just off the trail (local recommended). When we walked in, all talking briefly stopped. Was a little disconcerting. But, the food was good and the people were nice.

[@scottchudley8646]

I see you still have the Pleasure-Way…is the new Ford van building still going ahead? Great video BTW!

[@FromShetoMe]

Sure is! End of August.

[@yvonne6530]

Buenos dias Debbie & John 👋 Wow, what an awesome trail you just did, picturesque perfect! 🥰 This definitely made it into my (TK) ...lol 😄 Thank you as always for such an amazing ride & adventure, definitely appreciated 💕 Question? What do you guys do to prep for such a physical adventure? Yoga, strength training, sauna ...? Just curious🤔 take care, Yvonne🥰

[@FromShetoMe]

We ride or walk daily. And lots of gardening when we’re home. 😅

[@yvonne6530]

@@FromShetoMe Gardening is a lot of hard work. I've seen the fruits of your hard labor, your 'avocados' always look delish! 😋 ... don't think I remember seeing anymore fruit, but I still have more episodes to watch 🥰 thank you, take care 💕

[@louheindel8673]

Love this trail!! Congrats doing this on non-e-bikes…we’ve done it but with electric assist. 😮💪💪💪

[@FromShetoMe]

Our bikes are assist as well.

[@louheindel8673]

@@FromShetoMe I see that now, I went back to your video a year ago describing your ebike choices. Thanks. Love your adventures! We just sold our MH and moving back to coastal cruising, similar lifestyle, independent, self contained adventures 😁. Stay safe

[@ruthtorphy2204]

Great coastal cruising here in the east coast.

[@KathyGlerum]

Your videos are awesome! We're planning a trip to South Dakota and want to bike the Mickelson trail in early September. What campground did you stay at? Thanks.

[@FromShetoMe]

Heritage Village and it was just $34 for full hookups.

[@petefrost1787]

This looks like a great trail ride. Can you tell me something about your quick release pedals? What brand are they, do you like them? Cheers and safe travels for both of you.

[@FromShetoMe]

www.amazon.com/dp/B07FFPLDKQ?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzfromshet-20&creativeASIN=B07FFPLDKQ&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.2SCQL9ABJGR18&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ofs_mixed_d_asin&th=1

[@craftytraveler9238]

Thanks for the video. What is the brand of camera you are using and attaching to your back pack strap?

[@FromShetoMe]

Insta360 X2. But I broke one of the lenses on this trip.

[@pattibrotz3684]

Your battery lasted the 50 miles? My e-bike battery only lasts about 35 miles but less if you use the throttle more or increasing the pedal assist levels. I’ve ridden parts of this trail but not on my e-bike. I would have to bring the extra battery with me. Great video!

[@FromShetoMe]

We used our auxiliary battery on the two long days. So much depends on topography, weight, and wind.

[@kathybell3843]

Looks like a fantastic trail. What is the black item you have around your helmet?

[@FromShetoMe]

That’s where the brim gets attached but I didn’t use it on this ride.

[@jackfarris7056]

I see or should I say hear as you go through the tunnels that you must be fans of Ryan VanDuzer.

[@FromShetoMe]

Love the Dooze!

[@brucelester6918]

Have you tried any of the bicycle communication gadgets to talk while cycling?

[@FromShetoMe]

No. We’ve talked about it but that’s as far as we’ve gotten.

[@garylundberg9325]

Sure would like more info about your bikes. You’re going so far on a charge; much more than mine. When cruising on level do you use any level of assist. Do you carry an extra?

[@FromShetoMe]

Hi Gary. There are so many variables, as you know, to battery distance. One of the biggest is the weight of the passenger and bike. Our bikes weigh about 40-42 lbs compared to most ebikes which are upwards of 65lbs. John weighs nearly 100 lbs more than I do but he probably uses less assist than I do. Of course the other variables are wind and hills. A headwind and hills will suck down power and in such conditions reduce distance by up to 50%. Which makes rail trails ideal because they are so flat...usually. Our new bikes have half the voltage of our old bikes (240 vs 500). So we get much less assist. In this coming week's video you will see us ride with friends who have much larger motors and go faster with less assist but may not go as far even though their batteries are larger. Our batteries are not removable but Specialized makes a small battery that fits in the water bottle cage and can give us a little extra distance which we sometimes carry if we think it may be needed. So far, we've only used them a couple of times. However, in a pinch, our bikes are light enough to peddle. As far as assist, John uses less than I do, but we both try to get as much exercise as we can when we are riding. We also have the ability to change the amount of assist we get in each of the three settings by way of an app. On flatter terrain, with a tail wind, we won't use any assist. Hope that helps; if not, feel free to ask more questions.

[@garylundberg9325]

Thanks, much more info I expected. I have one of the first Rad’s that is about 7years old. Your biking trips are great. At my age I hesitate in upgrading but I am envious of your’s. We have a LTV Wonder. Good luck on your new rig.

[@FromShetoMe]

@@garylundberg9325 More and more restrictions are being placed on Class 2 ebikes so we were future proofing our situation and also taking care of the problem of the weight of our RAD bikes; hard to load as we entered our 70's. We enjoyed them for many years but figured it was time to push ourselves a bit more. Take care.

[@littlerascal6112]

Could this trail be completed with a regular bike, not electric?

[@FromShetoMe]

Absolutely.

[@thunderingbear777]

You want to make sure your tires are wide enough. Road bikes are not advised.

[@margedunkle7643]

That shuttle to your campsite seems like a ripoff. $234!!!!

[@FromShetoMe]

If we had planned ahead we probably would have found something cheaper. But at the last minute, everyone else was full.

[@billwilliams5889]

$234 to take the shuttle back to camp ?????

[@FromShetoMe]

Yes! And we felt lucky to get it as someone had just canceled. Bottom line: plan ahead.