…or this could happen. Ouch.
Trail Stats
- Trail Length: 4.2 miles
- Vertical: 121ft
- Distance from Sioux Falls: 48 miles
- Difficulty (1-10): 4
About
Union Grove State Park is an outstanding choice for mountain biking in the Sioux Falls area. With a low trail usage (very few horses!), you will usually have the course to yourself. It’s also a great cardio workout.
The best place to enter the trail system is at the horse camp in the central area of the park (see map below). I prefer to go south from the starting point, as this will give you a great leg burner climb to the first high point (about a 150 vertical foot climb). From there, you’ll drop down into a beautiful valley. The loop then brings you back to a turnoff to go back to the starting point. If you still have gas in your tank, the 2nd section of the loop is less vertical incline, but brings you through a beautiful field that provides a great view of the park.
Trail Stats
- Trail Length: 1.6 miles
- Vertical: 115ft
- Distance from Sioux Falls: 9 miles
- Difficulty (1-10): 4
About
This week we mountain biked the Beaver Creek Nature Area trails, just east of Brandon, South Dakota. The loop is short, checking in at just over 1.6 miles. However it’s a beautiful trail that includes a lot of quick up-and-down action, with some mildly technical terrain. There are a number of ‘water bars’ that can be sort of annoying (especially when climbing) and a few places that you’ll need to hop off your bike.
The most interesting portion if the trail is some extremely steep sections that require a huge burst of speed to climb. I wasn’t able to climb up these portions, but once my technical riding skill improves, I should be able to get over them.
I’m flying home from San Francisco today, a welcome event. I had a blast at SugarCon 2010, but it was tiring too. The week was a whirlwind of meetings, presentations, networking, and a bit of sleep here and there. The whole experience of conferences wears even the most seasoned businessperson out. Even Ted (our VP of Business Development), the eternal networker, seemed a bit worn out.
I was reminded that through all the intensity of the events that God designed us to work. Here is what Ecclesiastes 9:9-10 has to say:
“For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun. 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might”
Since life is full of work, it’s worth focusing on enjoying it. Don’t get me wrong, I had an absolute blast at SugarCon. However the fact that sometimes life just drains me shouldn’t be a surprise. I need to be committed to working hard and appreciating the fact that I have ‘toil’ that is meaningful and worthwhile.
Note: Falls Area Single Track (FAST) is launching a campaign to build a new single track loop in eastern Sioux Falls. Go to their site to support the cause!
This guide is currently an early version. As the summer progresses more maps/detail will be included.
Sioux Falls isn’t the first place most mountain bikers consider for a great ride, however challenging rides abound in the area. From the steep up and down of Newton Hills to the smooth sailing of the Sioux Falls Bike Trail, there are rides for all skill levels in the area.
This guide serves as a starting point for both new and experienced riders in the area looking for the best mountain biking in eastern South Dakota. ‘In The Expanse’ provides in depth detail on each trail in the Sioux Empire, and gives you some insight that only comes with riding the trails.
…this could happen to you.
In 
my travels to far away places for DataSync, I’m often asked why I live in the great plains instead of in Silicon Valley. I live here for many reasons, but I wanted to illustrate a very visual reason for staying in the midwest.
The image at left is the view I see each evening from my back door, facing west. South Dakota has the most expansive sunsets, and our weather this time of year is usually clear, making these beautiful sunsets common.
God’s paintbrush is absolutely stunning and put on display so often here, something I try not to take for granted. I’m so thankful I’ve been placed here for this portion of my journey. I talk to people from around the world, and the more I hear the more I’m reminded of the beauty I’m blessed with right outside my back door.
I’ve been reading a classic book by CS Lewis on my current trip, and it’s fascinating. ‘Screwtape Letters’ is a look at humans from “Uncle Screwtape” to a young demon named “Woodworm”. The theme of this book centers on Screwtape giving Woodworm advice on how to capture the soul of “the patient”, a human whom Woodworm is targeting.
Usually I’m not a fan of classic literature, but this book is really gripping. The most striking theme in this book is the analytical, strategic approach Screwtape uses to target humans. We often think that evil is blind, stupid hatred. Screwtape certainly hates humans (calls them “vermin”), but he is extremely clearheaded about how he goes about deceiving them.
The book itself is really an eye opener on how malicious evil can be. Screwtape and Woodworm have devoted their entire ‘lives’ to sending humans to hell. I don’t think Christians realize how bent evil really is. We are (or should be) very passionate about our pursuit of Christ and truth. Evil has just a spirited pursuit of deception and depravity.
I’m blessed to live in one of most beautiful places in the country. The Dakotas are home to serene prairies, the beautiful black hills, a winding Missouri river, and wide open spaces. We have world class pheasant and big game hunting that draws gaming enthusiasts from around the world.
The world turns slower here – the agriculture lifestyle that the Dakotas are built on stays strong, and farming remains very successful. The bottom line is this: our quality of life is outstanding. I’ve lived here for a dozen or so years, and I’ve grown to love the place.
I’ll be done with my undergrad degree in 2 weeks. Through the journey I’ve learned; a lot!
Right now I’m sitting about 2 weeks away from graduating from Dakota State University. For many graduating from a 4 year college is just a part of growing up. For me it’s been 6 years, 2 tech startups, and a rough ride. I never really felt like a normal college kid: I only lived on campus 2 years, for almost 4 years I was working full time, and I never had the whole “I’m graduating, I gotta figure out life” freak out stage. Instead it’s been a long journey of endurance, trying to do too many things and yet still manage to keep all the plates spinning. These years have been an amazing faith building experience for me. There were many times when I thought I was going to fail. Those times helped me trust the Lord for strength.
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