I knew going in that this was going to be a big big day. If I hadn’t already confirmed the reservation for the 3rd and 4th, I would have done another day with the ladies, but that was mute and I have that part waiting on me in West Yellowstone and with the 4th coming, and not knowing if the place would be open I wanted to get there before they closed or at the very least get cell service and call.
I arose at 5:20 and it was not the best of nights to sleep. The RV park was right at the exit from 15 and there was a Rest area there as well, so there was traffic all night, headlights, and late arrivals to the RV park. Who the fuck drives in at 2am, and leaves their driver door open with the vehicle running, thus triggering the
“You left your fucking key in the car alarm” going fr 10 minutes while you try and reach the RV Park owners on speakerphone so I hear that as well. What a dick. Ambien got me a couple of hours at least, and I rested, so hopefully the legs would be good.
The goal was to be ready at 7 when either the gas station or the Java Hut opened. Both had sandwiches, the Java Hut probably had better coffee. I was ready to go by 6:45, all packed and dressed. It was cool and as I was walking over to the hut, Rocky flagged me down as our RV hosts had coffee as well. The hut it turns out, was contracted into the purchase, and they would like to absorb the hut into their presence.
As I was meeting the girls at 7 I only did 1 coffee and then walked over to the hut. The woman who runs it has the best 70’s Shag Dolly Parton style big hair and I saw her picking weeds on her property the day prior as I entered town fighting that damned wind.
The truth is I should have gotten sandwiches from the gas station. Dolly wasn’t making anything, she just had a bunch of pre packaged sandwiches that she micro waved and charged way too much. I got two sandwiches and a muffin top. The goal was to have breakfast fast with the ladies and then hit the road and that is what I did except for a little stop at the gas station for more calories for the day. 94 miles at least lay ahead.
We hugged, got a couple of selfies, and said our farewells and off I went. 7:25. Not bad.
Overcast and cool it felt like rain and beforee I had gone a few miles I stopped to put my rain jacket on. The route was going to gain elevation slowly all day long in a stepping rolling fashion that always leaves you a little higher than where you were.
It wasn’t long before we climbed into a giant valley. Just how big it was wouldn’t be known until I spent all day in it, crossing it side to side twice. Crazy big.
The rain was falling and I was making good sores when I crossed a cattle grate, after a section where there were a whitlows of cattle in the road and there coming at me was a cattle drive. Down the road. Fence to fence down the road. Holy fuck!!! I cruised back over the grate and just waited as the cowboys, yes cowboys, herding them through the opening.
While I was waiting, Rocky and Denise rode up. The cattle cleared, the cowboys thanked us for our patience, and being cold now I said goodbye again and sped off and never saw them again except as distant specks on the road behind me when I had those big open views.
One thing I did see this day was wildlife. Elk, antelope, and Storks. Pretty cool indeed.
I passed through Lakeview, the ladies destination around 12:30 and kept going. To be honest I want sure I was in it yet, but that was indeed it. I hope they found lodging.
Around the lake I rode, butterflies all over the place mostly gathered around poop in the road but not always. At this point I could see about where the pass was going to be but it was still far off. I had been consuming calories when I needed them so I was able to keep pushing. As with all these climbs there was a section where I just clipped and walked that hard part and when I could mount again I did. Over the pass, Red Rock and the Montana/Idaho border which was also the divide again.
Down the otherwise was nice and at the junction near Henry’s lake I went left, while the gdmbr went right. I was officially off the gdmbr now.
Fortunately the road to the west of Henry’s Lake was relatively flat and 5 miles later I was on Idaho 87. Fortunately it had a wide shoulder so it felt safe other than the traffic speed. Traffic in my direction was low and I took the op to call the bike shop. Bad news was I dont think they have my part but good news is they’re open tomorrow so I’ll go by for a checkup.
I reached Idaho 20. Now, I rode up Idaho 20 44 years ago but there is a big difference in effect now. The speed limit is higher and those fuckers drive fast. I went South a 1/4 mile to hit a gas station and calorie up for another crack at the divide. Yes twice in the last 30 miles. At least the second ascent was a mild grade even if it did have occasional fast vehicles flying past.
Over the top and down I went but the fucking vehicles were mostly unsafe. My buffer was smaller, as I was back in Montana so the should shrank, so when it flattened out with about 6 miles left I noticed a ATV track on the West bound side and when the way was clear I moved onto that. Fuck the traffic.
I rolled into West Yellowstone just as the clouds were ready to open up. Showered and dressed I am eating and having some beers as I write this.
Tomorrow is a big fat ZERO Day!!! Yea. Massage at 2:15. Life is good