Montana and more
Montana, California, and Beyond!
Montana- Big Sky Country. We experienced it. It was a beautiful crisp morning and we headed out to get the ride in before the sun even came up. The early start was so we could keep the time “in the bank” in hopes of having a couple minutes of rest before the flight back to Vegas.
We were lucky to stay with one of my friends from college, Pete. He is a crazy adventurer who was training for this ride. He sure did train enough. With his help and Scot’s help on van support- we kept our efficiency up and our time down. We made Missoula a great ride 48. Pete and I had frozen toes as we trekked out before sunrise- with Scot just ahead- he pulled over so we could throw on an extra layer. Then it was up for a little more of a climb. As we climbed there was snow covered mountains around us and the BIG SKY took over. It was hard to watch the road at times…. until an 18 wheeler came by and reminded me that I was on a busy stretch of road. Anyway- Pete- thanks for the company on the ride- you are a strong rider. It was very generous of you to open your home to us and provide us with coffee and energy pre and post ride. Keep on riding buddy-
California was also a good ride- it was a bit slower than anticipated, however, after flying from Missoula to Vegas, then getting in the car and driving through the night for 4 hours, Scot and I were exhausted. I only had 3 hours of sleep and Scot had about 1. So we were dragging a bit as I reassembled the bike and we talked with my friends, Stafford and Lydia, who met us at the ride start. I run the LA marathon with Staff and Lydia every year, so it was good to get some cross training in with them. Sorry for holding you guys up. The 4900 miles were taking a toll on my legs yesterday. It was a nice ride as we traversed farmland and then headed for the hills to avoid the brutal winds. The hills were what took us around the mountains. It was a hillier ride than I was hoping for, however, I still mananged to get ‘er done. It was great to ride out of the mountains and into the San Bernadino Valley knowing there was only one ride to go….in Hawaii.
So California and Montana are done, Scot and I caught our flight out to Hawaii and I am about to head out on my last ride. I’m not going to lie- today was a more relaxed start. I am elated to be here with friends, family and so many wonderfully fit athletes. I met several Austrian triathletes on the way out here. I am inspired and poised to finish mile 5000.
Stay tuned for one more blog and more to come.
Gone riding- and Aloha.
Gary G
PS- Highlight from Montana and California was when we were on the plane and the flight attendants announced something about the “Freeburgers” in row 18. I asked if there were “FreeFries” in row 19? Everyone on the plane started laughing and had a pretty jovial Las Vegas attitude.
The other highlight was listening to the flight attendant bargain with someone about their seating assignment as we got on the plane. The person said they were in seating section 3. Then, the attendant was saying that only section 4 could board and section 4 trumps section 3. So the the passenger sat down. I started laughing and said to the attendant, only in Vegas do seating sections “trump” others. She laughed and said…. “exactly”.