This is a good time to let you know I will take a few days off to work and spend the 4th with my family at home. Please let me introduce you to my good friend Bob Loch. Bob lives in Iowa and has been a friend of Gary's for a long time. He is an avid rider and travels to Texas to ride with this team often. Bob will take over driving and hopefully leave a record here until I return in about a week. I will enjoy his perspective on this endeavor.
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It was about 47 degrees when Matt and Gary were ready to ride. You can see from the pictures that they were ready. I think the locals knew they were from another world since some of them were in shorts and tee shirts. I know it was because they were prepared for the lower temps we expect to find at the continental divide at over 9,000 feet today. After this climb it is all down hill until day 28 near the end.Once again Matt and Gary were really good in the climb of 3,890 feet today. For someone not prepared and conditioned this could be hard because of the 6% grade and high altitude. Both of them did the ascent without stopping – sort of. The sort of was due to the construction 1.5 miles from the top. They were disappointed that we had to taxi across the construction span. We got past and they finished the last half mile and we took pictures of the achievement at the divide. They are getting stronger every day. I continued to practice for my future in the Tour by running while handing out the goodies during the climb. I think we should detour and ride the rocky ridge south through Colorado just for fun. I know the SUV is ready.
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After the pictures at the top they started their decent. I had forgotten to get a picture of me at this point to make sure that my friends at TICA had proof I was on this trip. My good friend Frances said that she was not sure I was taking all the pictures so I took this one also. Frances I had to learn how to place the camera in timer mode, balance it on the hood of the car and estimate were to stand. So now you know I really do exist.Our next stop is Dubois. You can see from photographic record that the topology and environmental conditions changed fast after the divide. The western slope gets more precipitation than this side. I think the clouds are lazy and can not climb like Matt and Gary and run into the mountains and cry. After that they have little water remaining when they get to this side (I am also the weather man). I think Matt and Gary should ride with determination because things are changing over Nebraska.
The guys finished riding at 1:20. What a great day the flats after the climb were with the wind and they were fast. We have a room at the Chinook Winds Motel. It is older but very clean and comfortable. When I checked in at the office I asked about the beautifu
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l burl wood that is part of the counter and room. Debbie told me it was local and was caused by a disease and kills the tree. She said it is not lawful to collect this any longer however a local artist made carvings from this type of wood. I got his name and went to see his shop. His name is Leon Sanderson and he and Jill Judd run The Tickled Trout. I found a treasure of carvings and was lucky that Leon was present. I carved bass wood and we talked about his work. I do this as a hobby, he is the real thing. As we got ready to depart he offered to give me a piece to work with. I am excited and hope to produce something that will not disappoint him.There is a lot more in town. We visited the General Store on main street and found Frank who has a depth of knowledge and wit that are a joy to experience. The Coffee Haus which closes at three has another personality you will not want to miss. The Cowboy Cafe has a great country fried steak. What a great town to stop in and enjoy.
