"Mountains are the beginning and the end of all natural scenery." John Ruskin Bozeman, Montana to West Yellowstone, Montana 90 miles. 3110 feet climbing. Another morning with 40 degree Fahrenheit temperature, and wind chill below freezing. I'm told it's because Bozeman sits above 6,000 feet elevation. Oh boy, I can't wait to get to West Yellowstone which is above 7,000 feet. We pray for the sun to make a quick appearance. But head off regardless, out of Bozeman, then directly south, past dry scrub, then irrigated fields, then toward a pass (the Gallatin Gateway) into the Gallatin National Forest. The national park scenery is spectacular. We're back to forested hillsides; the mountains are closed in on the Gallatin River, making a narrow winding road, which climbs consistently, but gently for 70 miles. The trees are dark green and the Gallatin is a real mountain river, rushing, clear and sparkling. The ride would be idyllic if it wasn't for the fact that it's just not warming up, and most significantly, we're pushing into a very strong headwind of cold air coming down off the Yellowstone plateau and funneling through the pass we're ascending. Today's ride is one of the shortest on the trip. But I'm grateful for the sag stops every 20 miles. Lunch is at 60 miles (just inside Yellowstone Park), very early by PAC standards. But it seems we're all ready for it. We've added Larry from Washington and the extra body makes working against the wind a fair amount easier. We religiously take turns with one mile pulls. The wind is sufficiently strong that I'm glad to relinquish the lead each time. Finally, after 70 continuous uphill miles, some welcome downhill. We stop for a minute to take photos of wild buffalo grazing by the roadside, then push on into West Yellowstone (without tights, gloves, Lifa and jacket for only the last 10 miles). All in all, a relatively easy day despite the wind, and my legs feel less tired then yesterday. And that's good because there's 6000 feet to do tomorrow. Don Friedlander ------ To unsubscribe, send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Club Office: [EMAIL PROTECTED], (613) 230-1064 Web/mailing list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb Newsletter: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb/Newsletter ==^================================================================ EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aVxiDo.a2i8p1 Or send an email To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This email was sent to: [email protected] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
