Columbus, MT to Powell, WY

Our second full day on the road.  The stats will show that I had to leave my ego at home.  I recognized that I made a mistake in my priorities the last few months, with work being my focus instead of training.  I was struggling in the climbs and getting further behind the group.  So, at the second stop I sagged up 18.8 miles with Lon.  I was a bit deflated, but he told me don’t be discouraged this is the fastest group they’ve ever had.  So, onward and upward, I still got in a lot of miles and almost all of the climbing.  

Craig:

Mileage- 110.5

Climbing-5,500 ft

Vikki:

Mileage- 91.7

Climbing-5,000 ft

There where some decent descents today too, we had some strong winds on them which made it very tricky.  My speed, with constant breaking, hit 41mph.  We also were treated to some fantastic views of the Absaroka Mountain range off in the distance.  At lunch we dined with the Beartooth Mountain range right in front of us.  Although, it was incredibly hot coming across Rt. 294 - Badger Basin Rd, it was amazing as you were literally in the middle of no where, as you will see in my video below.  

Beautiful ranches along the way

 There are radial tire pieces along the side of the road, unfortunately the wire from them can be very tiny and get into you bike tire, like Craig’s

 This may not look like much, but it was one of the 9% hills and that tiny dot up by the road sign is Craig. 

Craig and the switch back climb.  It was gorgeous but a toughie!

The long ribbon of fun, adventure and yes some pain and some suffering.

We entered our second state - Wyoming

I love this video - it's 18 seconds, but I do a cameo in the last 4 seconds.  ;-)

A welcomed sight, the PAC flag and Veronica's stop with ice, ice water and ice to put in my sports bra!  Yes, it works, especially when there is a headwind and at some points 96 degrees!

At about 5 miles from the hotel, I got a flat!  Just as I was in final preparations, Craig notices a police officer come up.  We thought, "Oh crap! are we supposed to do this in the grass?"  NOPE!  Officer Corr just wanted to make sure we didn't get splatted on the road by some foolish distracted driver.  How cool was that?! 

Tomorrow is the Big Horns, were it could take anywhere between 2-3 hours to go 18 miles!  Gulp!  So we have to be up early and ready for some climbing!!!