Today was a day of real contrasts. While only 90.9 miles there were times it
seemed like 909.0. The first 12 miles
were all construction. The road was terribly rough where the top layer of asphalt
had been scraped off, and there were sections where it was just gravel and
terribly uneven. I took all of my skill to stay upright. Then we turned off towards Flesher Pass. For
some reason I had it in my mind that it was at around 45 miles which meant I
would have a 33 mile grind at 6 mph it was going to be a long day. As it turned out it was at 19.5 miles and
there was only about 3 which were a grind. I saw two deer and a fox on the
climb. I got to the summit and the
continental divide and was elated.
Pictures were taken and congratulations awarded. The terribly steep down hill we had been
warned about in rider meeting turned out to be pretty mild as well.
Lunch was at the 49 mile mark and I was there by 10:45. However it was Mexican day and there was so
much cilantro being put into everything that it made my eyes water just being
near the picnic table. So I grabbed a ham sandwich and hit the road. The smell
of cilantro had permeated my clothes and for the next 20 miles that is all I
could smell. I know you either love it
or hate it and I am in the hate it category.
I rolled in to Helena feeling strong and with just 40 miles
to ride I was in great shape. However after I got out of town the dread head
wind started and my 2 hours turned into a 4 hour grind. The best I could manage
was about 10-12 mph and it was down hill.
At the 65 mile mark I ran into more construction and was held up by the
flagman for 45 minutes. As I was there
this other couple of sectional riders rolled up and when we did get to go they
got in front of me. After the
construction I am trapped behind them and they are riding two abreast down this
incredibly busy road. There is no way to
pass with the head winds, and every car blows its horn at them. However they
are too into themselves to notice. Finally
we came to a little town with a store so I went in and grabbed a coke.
I came out and the wind had died down and with only 15 miles
to go I jumped on the pedals and flew into town. There was a huge thunder storm behind me and
a lot of the tail end of the ride got hit.
I was so glad to be in before the
storm.
Terry
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