South Dakota Cycling - Mickelson Trail (1 of 11) - Custer To Pringle - (Ultra HD)

This is the first segment and the start of the first day of the Mickelson Trail Summer Trek; riding from Custer to Pringle. It inclues a short side-trip to the "bicycle sculpture" artwork (which is a huge pile of old bicycles) just prior to the end of the segment at the Pringle trailhead.

The Mickelson Trail  in South Dakota is a 109 mile long "Hall of Fame" rail trail that stretches from the northern trailhead in Deadwood to Edgemont in the south, passing through the heart of the Black Hills, scenic valleys, old railroad tunnels and historic mining towns towns. Burlington Northern built the original rail line over 130 years ago to accommodate the miners who had rushed to the area to pan for gold. In 1983 the rail line was removed from service and work on what is today the Mickelson Trail was begun.

Each year, the State of South Dakota sponsors two editions of the 3-day "Mickelson Trail Trek", one in June at the beginning of summer and one in September at the beginning of fall - both based in Custer, South Dakota.