'Hammer Time' - MC Hammer
Hammers have been dropped left, right and centre and since the last post we have somehow covered 620 kms. We've made it out of the mountains of Montana, the rolling plains of Idaho and are now sitting by a fire in the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. According to our GPS we have about 2650 kms to go to make it to the border of Mexico and the boys have planned a few big days of cycling.
Here's a short recap.
We left Butte with a goal of getting over 100 kms done and getting as close to Elkhorn Springs as possible, but as usual we had a climb to start our day off. It wasn't as bad as what we've previously come up against, but we were tearing off layers quickly. We met up with Christy and Pete at our 6th Divide crossing and got them in a few pics. As an Aussie and Kiwi couple, who are attempting the Divide for the second time, there has been no shortage of banter between us and I'm very sure that if they catch up to us the first bit of convo will be about the Boks loss to the All Blacks.
Our back wheels had lives of there own as we rode on tracks that felt as if they were made of marbles. There have been no casualties yet but there have been a few close calls. Cam split up from Keith and I and headed towards Fleecer Ridge. Keith and I felt great about our decision not to go over the ridge as we were soon doing 30 kms and hour with the help of a strong tail wind. We made up some serious time and even had enough to stop in at Dewey's finest for a couple of coolies. We met up with Cam in Wise River and eventually pulled into Petergill campsite after 99.7 kms. Mission accomplished.
Elkhorn Springs was only 40 kms away so we planned to get there and take a half day off. Probably our best idea to date.However, getting there would be a bit tougher than expected. On the first climb the snow started pelting down and soon we had every part of our bodies covered up. It was a long and cold 40 kms. Elkhorn Springs came into sight and the smiles on our faces began to broaden. With a huge log cabin and hot springs pretty much to ourselves we felt like we could never leave.
Hot springs and ice creams were the order of the day and our legs could finally get some respite. The boys from Colorado, Caleb and Sam, caught up to us that evening and pulled into the cabin. We shared a couple of beers and bowls of chilli.
Waking up to an inch of snow in the morning didn't do much for morale, but we were soon saddled and layered up. The cold went right through us and within 2 kms we were putting on more layers. We lost Keith for a bit on the downhill and expected to find a frozen icecube flying passed us, but instead the beers the night before had fueled the fire he we went into 5 gear up the hills. Silence soon fell upon the team as we pushed into a freezing headwind. The only way to keep warm was to keep cycling. After 135 kms we set up camp next to Sheep Creek, just next to Antarctica. We thought we were in the clear. I woke up at 3 am and couldn't feel my toes. I looked up and thought I could see the stars inside the tent. I rolled over and had a look at Keith to check if he hadn't gone black from frostbite. He almost had. There was ice lining his beard, sleeping bag and the entire inside of the tent. We survived to 7:30 am when our neighbour walked over to our tents and asked if we were ok. He got a couple murmurs as a response. He then said he came over to check on us as it had gotten to 15 degrees fahrenheit that morning. You do the conversion.
The biking that day took us into Dell, population 35, and to the Calf-A restuarant that served up the biggest burgers of our lives. The meat sweats were going to follow us all the way to the end of the days cycling. We passed through Lima and hit another strong headwind and it kept with us for the next 70 kms as we rolled over the plains of lower Montana. The side of the road was our campsite that night and again it went to below 0. Even beefnoodlebeans couldn't keep the tent warm that night.
Big springs was the next destination and finally the wind died and the sun was blasting. We crossed over into the Potato State, Idaho, after an easy climb. We were very glad to see the back of Montana. Another 90 kms was under our belts when we got to Big Springs and the PBRs were out in a heartbeat. The solar shower was enjoyed by all and our bush cubicle was a win.
We were up against a tough 40 kms of ex-railway line the next day. It was covered in soft gravel and I thought I wouldn't make it 2 kms without going a over t. We made it without any hassle and the road soon cleared. The Warm River was running alongside us and lunch was on the cards. Half a peanut butter jar and a whole loaf of bread were whacked and Keith was at it again with his circus tricks. The scenery was incredible as we descended down into Warm River campsite. We were told that the river was thick with trout and as the sun went behind the mountains Keith and I were out of sight up the river. The first on the line was a littlin but the second broke all kinds records on the tour. My $30 rod and reel could barely take the pressure, but I got him to the bank eventually. The trout slayer was back and the boys were having trout for pudding!
Today took us into Wyoming, passed Yellowstone and into the Grand Teton National Park. Since knowing about this area of the US I've wanted to see it and riding through the forest that lined rivers and grassy plains was very special. It felt as though a grizzly could pop out at any second, which probably added to the excitement, but unfortunately the bears weren't up to tango with us today. Colten Bay was our stop and again the PBRs were out and the boys were loving it.
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