Wheelin' to Wall

The rugged beauty of the Badlands draws visitors from around the world. These striking geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Ancient mammals such as the rhino, horse and saber-toothed cat once roamed here. The park’s 244,000 acres protect mixed-grass prairie where bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs and black-footed ferrets live today. This cycling event held in Badlands National Park offers a choice of six rides: pavement 31 miles, pavement 38 miles, gravel 35 miles and gravel 64 miles, plus pavement 28 miles (Sunday) and gravel 33 miles (Sunday). (This event is part of the Grasslands Triple Crown point series competition, which also includes Grassland Gravel and the Thunderhawk Wide Open.)