7-1-05 Bob says that today was his best day yet. He was the first out in the morning and the first in to the lunch stop and in at the end of the day. Too bad, because there was a crash where Bob's EMT skills could have been put to good use. But for the first time, he was ahead of them and didn't know of the accident! Several of the experienced riders were drafting along at a high rate of speed when one caught a wheel, went down, and was hit by another biker. She was taken by ambulance to the hospital. Reports are that she is OK and will rejoin the group on Monday. There were clear blue skies, and beautiful scenery. Tomorrow is going to be a tough day, though. They will climb to 8000 feet, where altitude becomes a real physical challenge.
6-30-05 Thursday Bob reports that he was first on the road and last in for lunch and last in for the end of the day. There was a lot of climbing, which really slows him down. Many of the other experienced riders don't seem bothered much. The scenery is lovely! After the day's ride, they took a van in to see the Old Faithful geyser, which Bob says was really neat! One of the locals then took them to see some of the other geysers in the area that the tourists don't usually see. Bob was even more impressed with them.
6-29-05 Wednesday was a little rainy, but nothing like the downpours Bob ran into on Tuesday. The group is staying at another school, 5000 feet above sea level. He hasn't detected any ill effect of the altitude yet. Tomorrow they climb another 1000 feet. Bob has had a total of four flat tires, caused from the junk in the breakdown lane of the highway. He has purchased two new tires which are much thicker than the ones that came on the bike. He hasn't had any more flats since. Bob says there hasn't been too much traffic this week, which is a very good thing. The speed limit is 70 mph and the big trucks and RVs tend to blow the riders around some.
6-28-05 Bob fell today, as did several other riders. They had a torrential rain storm and Bob reports that he got caught in the transition between the shoulder and the road. He's Ok, just a little road-rash on one arm.
6-27-05 Bob reports that they rode 80 miles today, climbing 1800 feet! They are now at 4500 feet above sealevel. He is in Lincoln Montana, the home of Lincoln Logs and the Unibomber (he thinks)! The weather has been good, except for a stiff headwind. They are staying at the school in Lincoln. 200 students, K-12, graduating classes number between 7 and 25.