Business trip to the black hills yesterday, rode the section from Custer to Hill City and back with only one muddy spot. The skinny knobbies did their job, and there was not any loose sand on this stretch like there was on the other side of Hill City. The climb out of Hill city was looonnng for this old commuter, but the fall weather was perfect for long climbs. Too many deer to count, and I did not see another person on a bike the whole time outside of town. It may just be me but I think some of the bridges are getting bumpier, I wish they were all like the bridge over the highway.