In order to beat the heat and especially the wind, I was on
the bike by 5:50am. Within the first 30 miles there was no wind, but I did meet
a westbound cyclist. Max had started on the east coast in April, visited the
Outer Banks and was now headed for the Pacific Ocean. After making it to Florence, OR he plans to
ride south to San Francisco to visit friends before heading home to England
(yes, the country). After I turned out of Twin Bridges and heading South East
(at the 30 mile mark), the head wind started to blow. I had to struggle to get
6-8 MPH riding into the wind. Farmers continued to irrigate their fields, but
with the wind the water also irrigated passing motorists and cyclist. At about 45 miles I
decided it was time to stop at the Sheridan IGA and get a cold Starbucks Double
Shot and have a Cliff Bar. A local asked if I had seen any forest fires or
smoke. He said a new fire had started yesterday and was raging just to the
north. But, by my South East route, I should be OK. After leaving Sheridan, I
met another westbounder who had started in Vancouver road to Yellowstone and
was now headed for Calgary. Then Roel was flying back to Holland (yes, the
country)! The wind was still relentless as I passed through a Nevada City and
Virginia City, which are both old restored mining towns. All though touristy,
they were neat. If I wasn’t already feeling so whipped from the wind and
knowing I still had a pass to climb I might have spent more time visiting. So,
the climb of the pass started but the wind did not stop. At one turn you were
being pushed up the hill by the wind, but as the road turned the wind would try
to push you back. It was a tough climb! As I crested the summit, the downhill
is always the best…except today. One minute you were really flying, then as the
road curved the cross wind would nearly knock you off your bike. I am glad there were no cars that came up behind me n the descent, as I used my entire lane to try and stay upright. The rest of
the way down, I hung on for dear life. It was a very harrowing experience. Once
at the camp a group of scared family members were very glad to see me. I found
on the radio said the winds were 25-30 MPH with gusts of 40 mph. The camper was even rocking around and Kim
kept it hooked to the Durango to prevent it from blowing over. Looking back on my ride today, especially the
final descent from the pass, I am convinced my safe arrival was nothing short
of a miracle. Thanks be to God!
The Ennis RV Park was found to be the overnight stay for two
other touring cyclists. Patrice from New Jersey and McKinley from Tennessee
were also on the TransAm cross country trek. They had met each other after a
week or so into the ride. Now they were traveling together and we enjoyed
getting acquainted with them. All of us
were trying to get out of the high winds by hanging out in the campground
clubhouse.
Thankfully the winds are suppose to be much better tomorrow
as we arrive in West Yellowstone.
Beaver Rock..does this look like a Beaver to you?
Max from England
Roel from Holland...why don't these Europeans wear helmets?
Patrice and McKinley are great people!
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