8/8
A trip over the pond with Kevin, Glen and Susan
Lots of gravel roads, trees, sunshine and the whole spectrum of fun. We all road together down through Montana together to the fabled High Country Lodge, where the others decided to take a day off while i had a plane to catch.
At some point theres a left turn
Theres an amazing Canyon as you complete the 100 mile section between Polaris and Lima, and this place was too good to pass up to stop for the night
The next day I had a huge tail wind so it was time to make the most of it and put in a huge day and finally say good bye to Montana
A brief trip through Idaho through the corn fields
Before eventually getting to the deserts of Wyoming
Due to the distance between towns 70-80 miles it was a case of being slow and carrying plenty of water and food and splitting the distance up, or going light and fast, taking a few chances and knocking off some of the longer stints in one go. Generally i went for the latter.
This backfired a bit as I rolled into Atlantic City to find everything closed. It was only 7.30.....
Luckily the nice lady at the community centre/village shop was still open and i was able get a few ice creams and a bottle of coke down my neck, so i could a least remember my name. After a bit of a chat she asked me where i as planning to stay the night (i had no idea).
I've slept in a few odd places in my time but now have the back of a community centre to add to the list
The plan was always to minimise the time in the sun across the Basin. Setting off at noon and riding into the dark with a dawn start the next day with a hope of getting to Rawlins before the heat of the day became too much.
A full range of emotions crossing the Basin. Thinking this is the most stupid thing i've ever done pushing out the the hill out of Atlantic City (you could be in the pub), blasting down the hill with the biggest tailwind i've ever known and the biggest grin on my face (the cross winds were a bit less amusing), being memorized by the huge thunderstorm which was just out of reach (until i'm on the top of the hill on a huge bit of steel and one lightning strike which was a bit close for comfort).
A good friend who got be back into riding my bike again passed away earlier in the year from cancer. Unfortunately i couldnt make his memorial ride due to the trip, but these miles were for you DeeJay
It was getting dark and another storm was threatening so it was time to stop for the night
Then onto Brush Mountain Lodge to put my feet up and spend some time off the bike
