By Tirrell Thomas
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Participants in the fourth annual Argus Leader Tour de Kota faced unkind weather on Friday, their last day, but still showed kindness to each other.

Riders, like Tim Burnison, 52, worked in packs to help block the wind and to enjoy the ride with friends. As Burnison talked about his Tour de Kota experience, a rider nearby spoke up saying “It’s all about sharing the pain.”

Jen Creed, 25, a first-time rider, said she definitely shared in that pain.

“It was kind of brutal, the wind was pretty fierce, but we made it and I’m pretty proud for how well we did for not riding as much as everybody had ridden,” Creed said.

After training for about a month, Creed and her riding partner were happy that they were able to finish, she said.

“We always talk about moving out of South Dakota and then when you ride through all these small towns and through the countryside you start to change your mind a little bit—it was beautiful,” Creed said.

The six-day ride began and ended in Sioux Falls, and totaled about 450 miles, according to officials. On Friday, the ride lasted 68 miles, according to Tour de Kota officials, and it finished at Falls Park in Sioux Falls.

Weather – including rain and hail — challenged riders during this year’s Tour de Kota. Many riders were in agreement that the ride’s first day, Monday, was the most challenging weather-wise. Burnison, of Sioux Falls, was forced to make several more rest stops than usual in order to have the energy to finish the ride, he said.

He usually goes about 10 miles, then takes a short break before continuing, he said.

“We needed a long break on Monday because it was so windy,” Burnison said.

Paul Gilbert, the tour coordinator, said weather can be a factor during the Tour de Kota. “The wind has always managed to put itself blowing into the rider’s face,” Gilbert said.

“I think we’re only missing snow at this point,” he said.

Gilbert has been involved since the first ride in 2005 in some capacity, and this is his first year at the front of the coordination pack, he said. Camaraderie and support have been unofficial themes of the ride since its inception, he said.

Feeling fulfilled and hearing about the camaraderie that riders developed, Creed – the first time rider – looked forward to completing the entire ride next year, she said.

The planning for next year started a month ago, Gilbert said.

It takes time to set up available roads, figure mileage, deal with state government, local law enforcement to lay out the route, and then registration, marketing and training rides, Gilbert said.

Support this year came from about 20 consistent volunteers, Gilbert said. Each town provided support in their communities to riders, he said.

“It really isn’t a race, it’s more about getting out and enjoying cycling and enjoying the state of South Dakota,” Gilbert said.

There was plenty to enjoy along the last 68 miles of the six-day ride. There were blue skies, rolling, green hills, trees, cows, the smell of cows and the constant companion of all — the wind.