Well, it's been a long time since I've done a post about how the trip is going -- GREAT - that's how it's going! I can say that now that I'm in the library out of the freaking freezing ass rain. Yeppers - today was the worst weather day of the trip -- not bad considering tomorrow will be our 1 month anniversary of the first day of the tour!
Our current location is Dubois, Wyoming -- however, I would like to backtrack a bit to catch you up since my blogging has mostly been rider profiles and my wicked wreck.
Mitchell, Oregon -- where we were roughing it by watching a movie on the laptop - is also where we ran into another cyclist named Clive - who happens to be from England. Clive is riding the TransAm also, but is packing light and stays in B&Bs or Motels -- with less weight (no tent, etc.) he gets in much longer days than we do. Very nice chap - I only spoke to him briefly in Mitchell.
to Baker, Oregon -- when Bryan, Karli and I rode our 90 miler for an extra rest day. We went out for a bite to eat and a drink -- we were sitting at our table and who walks in, but Clive -- later to be accompanied by two ladies whom he had met earlier at a coffee shop -- one being Christine (see post below).
to Halfway, Or -- a scheduled rest day
to Cambridge, Idaho (Council, Id) -- the group officially splits!!!
In Mitchell, the "speedys" (Karli, Bryan and myself) wanted to continue - but decided to stay with the group and push out the longer day to Baker ahead of the group. This made the group uneasy and we had a group meeting. The final decision of the group was to let the speedys go ahead and have a rest day and then stick to Ken's schedule until Missoula -- with the understanding that we will have to make better progress than Ken's schedule to meet deadlines for some of the riders -- especially Kevin and Nicola, considering their visa's expire in 90 days.
Well, the ride to Cambridge was way easier than expected and it was only 22 more miles to Council -- and by making this advance to Council we would make it to Missoula 1 day ahead of schedule.
Problem -- this was not discussed before leaving that morning -- and the riders were spread out -- thus leaving the decision up to the few riders that made it to Cambridge early --- Karli, Kev, Nix, Michael and myself. So, the decision was made to do the extra miles to advance to group and hopefully get extra days to spend in Yellowstone -- however, Michael wasn't keen on the idea and decided to stay and wait for Ken, Bryan and Jay. We (the advancing party) were hoping that they would decide to do the extra miles -- but alas, they were against it.
THE SPLIT -- so the split happened - which was inevitable, but unfortunately very sudden and I believe that those left behind were upset that official goodbyes were not made.
Council to Riggins, Id (New Meadows, Id) -- the group (formerly known as the advancing group) was to head to Riggins, Id - at this point Bryan had kicked it in gear and caught up with us. Unfortunately this is where I had my spill and ended up staying in New Meadows. Since I was detained, I met Ken and Michael as they passed through - stopping at the bike shop and for a bite to eat ---- not too much eye contact and/or words -- but hello's and goodbye's were said. Jay rolled in later that evening and we had a quality talk and he seemed to understand - but was disappointed to think he might not see the others again - or at least say goodbye.
to Missoula -- I caught the bus from New Meadows to Missoula - where I stayed with my buddy Ben and his family. Ben and I did time together in Vernal, Ut -- for Steve Phillips at the Forest Service -- that was about 8 ish years ago that I saw Ben last - and now he's married and has 4 kids -- and one of them is 7! I still picture Ben as the little punk kid from Arkansas that I had to buy beer for - 4 kids!! Wowzers Ben.
I must say his kids are absolutely adorable - and the older two Alya (7) and Iris (almost 6) are polite and intelligent ---- nice work Diana -- and the two youngsters are both 2 ish Ethan and Olivia (twins) - very cute, but not really talkers. I feel like a total ass for not taking a single picture of Ben and his family --- sorry guys :( and thanks again for letting me chill with you.
I missed 265 miles by taking the bus to Missoula -- so, I decided to meet the group as they rode in to town -- I caught up with them about 30 miles outside of Missoula and rode back with them into town. I decided to stay with them - since I missed them dearly -- and so we could all roll out together.
Missoula, Mt to Sula, Mt -- fairly easy ride -- 80 miles
to Jackson, Mt -- big pass day, but nothing to fear -- these passes keep getting easier and easier! Had a blowout -- sounded like a gunshot -- I'm not sure what happened, but I was at a complete stop when it happened -- luckily. That brings my tally to --- 3 flats - 1 new tire (had a hole in the sidewall) - and replacing the whole front end from the wreck --- the funny thing is, I read all kinds of online journals and most of them said they didn't even get a flat!
On our way to Jackson - we stopped in Wisdom, Mt to have lunch -- and guess who pops up? Come on, guess... Clive. We knew we would see him again -- he rode to Missoula and flew back to New York for a few days and then back -- which put him close to our schedule - crazy. He was actually staying in Jackson and doing a short ride to Dillon, Mt the next day -- we were going past Dillon to Twin Bridges.
to Twin Bridges -- stopped in Dillon for the library and some food. Karli went ahead to Twin Bridges and Bryan stayed at the coffee shop and used their wi-fi to do some work. Kev, Nix and I started to head out of town and who do we see? Come on, guess... Clive. Coming out of the movie theater right on the edge of town -- he had just made arrangements to get a Pizza Hut pizza and take it into the movie while he watched. We stopped to chat and he talks us into watching it with him -- Pirates of the Caribean --- 4 o'clock show - 3 hour movie -- camp was 28 miles away (3 hours without a headwind) --- getting us there around 10pm. Suckers! We totally had a headwind and got in closer to 11pm -- fortunately Montana gets lots of light this time of the year and it was still dusk-ish when we rolled into camp.
to Cameron -- nice big pass coming out of Virginia City -- descending into Ennis for lunch -- where you'll never guess who we ran into... that's right, Clive.
to West Yellowstone -- we had two scheduled rest days here in order to see Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Once in town we went out for dinner and drinks and guess who walked into the bar? Come on, guess... Clive. I'm sure it's not as funny for you - the reader -- because all these run-ins were totally random and unscheduled -- very bizzar from our perspective -- but try and be in awe with me.
We pitched out tents in an RV park and rented a car for 2 days. The first day we went to Yellowstone and saw Old Faithful and many other sites in the park - geysers, buffalo, waterfalls, etc. The second day we drove down to Grand Teton and checked out the mountain views and then made our way down to Jackson Hole -- were I broke a 5 day vegan experiment to have 2 Billy's burgers.
to Colter Bay Village (in Grand Teton NP) -- 90 mile day! Just before leaving Yellowstone NP -- Karli, Bryan and I stopped at Moose Falls to do a little cliff jumping -- it was surprisingly warm. Thanks Jaimey!
to Dubois -- today's ride was a big one -- 7% grade for almost 17 miles -- over those miles we climbed 3000 feet -- it was the 2nd highest pass on the whole trip --- the highest is Hoosier in Colorado --- we're coming for you baby!! It was overcast for the 1st part of the day and encountered rain and sleet on the descent.
Well, I've got to go -- this laptop is dying - 4% battery -- I'll post pictures later.
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7 comments:
well dude sounds awesome, aren't billy's burgers just amazing totally worth not being vegan. I'm glad you found all these rad people to kick it with definatly better than had you gone alone. and i do miss you almost as much as mitchy.
I'm getting tired just reading about all your riding. WOW!
Hey, you won't believe who just walked in....Clive.. no not really. Are you sure he's not stalking you guys.
Paul?! A FIVE DAY vegan stint? Is it really you?? The same Paul who gave Gigantor such a hard time for subsisting almost primarily on edamame, black beans and peanut butter? Well, I'll be. . .
I must say, whomever has inspired such an outlandish experiment has just jumped up MY rad scale a few notches; I'd love to meet her :)
Your heart must be thanking you for it - actually your heart is probably loving all of this adventure. Keep up the peddling, vegan experimenting, connecting with great people and the happy vibes and thanks for giving us such funny and well written glimpses into your world.
PS - I'll keep trying to send sunny blue sky vibes for you - it's even frigid in St. George!
- A
I did a 21 day Vegan stint and it sucked. Worst year of my life. I don't know how much good the 5 day stint did you Paul but welcome back. We missed you.
I love the drama between the 2 riding groups, the jocks and the dweebs. This is better than Melrose Place. Oh, those awkward no talking lunches. I have been there. Slap Amanda for me when you see her.
Well, Paul, I've been biting my tongue, but finally I must respond.
"The group officially splits?" Well, I suppose if you can call four people deciding amongst themselves, presenting the decision to a fifth person as a fait accompli, riding off without even consulting the sixth and seventh persons, and assuming that the eighth person would go along, and "official" decision.
For the record - I chose not to go with the four of you for two reasons: 1) I'd have been ashamed to leave Ken and Jay behind with nothing more than a Post-it note on a motel door saying, "We've ridden ahead, catch us if you can." 2) I'd have been angry at myself for allowing the four of you to railroad me into a decision that I knew was inconsiderate and disrespectful of the others in the group.
You had some conversations amongst yourselves about who might be the leader of the group. Leadership is not about being able to race out ahead of the group, or about having a big, loud voice, or about having lots of good reasons for doing what you want to do. Leadership is about respect, and consideration, and loyalty. Leadership is about listening. Leadership is about doing what you say you will do, living up to commitments made, even when doing so is difficult. Perhaps you'll have another opportunity for someone in you group to demonstrate leadership - I didn't see it during my time with you.
Whatever you find ahead of you on the road, you left a fair measure of disappointment and hard feelings behind.
And no, Shayne, we're not dweebs.
Michael
Hmmm...So Michael decided to defile your personal blog after he officially went his own way in Missoula. How....dweeby! Anywho....sounds like you are having quite the adventure and I'm happy to hear you are having fun- because that's what this trip is all about, right??? Peace, bro
~Cricket
Enjoy your account of the trip. Easy to read and informative. Good writing actually. As a former English major and teacher, I would easily give this a grade of "A". Keep ridin' and writin'
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