Would Two be Too Many?

Two's a company. I have now been riding with company, Lance (from Iowa) for about 4 days. It's been great fun to have someone my own age that I can get on with that likes being outdoors etc. We've had some great campfires and meals and its been excellent having someone to talk to on the long climbs.

My body is now having to adapt to the rigours of higher altitude life, mainly, the colder weather and the hills! We've had a few days of big climbs, and big descents, we descended into Deadwood along a ridge for about 2 miles, probably around 1,500ft. Then climbed out of Deadwood to a 7% decline over 2 miles that dropped alot. The fastes downhill speed i've clocked so far is 34 mph. I've gotta say I do quite like having the hills and mountains, whilst you have to slog it up them, you really get to appreciated the views. For instance, a lot of ranges in Montana, once you get to the top, it just opens up and you can see for at least 10 miles in front of you, with the road curving away.

We've had our fair shares of fun, we took a break under a tree by the side of the road and when we were getting ready to leave heard gunshots, some guy was shooting from his drivers side witha handgun at something we couldn't see! Last night we managed to stay in someones back yard in Billings, because tehy said people die in the park we were going to stay in! Nice


So change of plans, I am no longer going up tp Calgary/Banff/Jasper. I am in fact, hopefully, going to head down to Yellowstone National Park and do some camping for a bit, then head up to Glacier National Park and do the Going to the Sun Road. Then nip across Idaho, into Washington. Its actually not that far, so I should be about three weeks give or take to my final destination. I'm glad I'm doing it this way, saves me going 600 miles out of my way. And I can always go to places in Canada whilst I'm there. Its unlikely that I'd ever be around Montana in this area again, so might as well do it while I can!

Have hopefully managed to get my parcel forwarded to somewhere along the route, as it gets cold up high, am starting to think that hammock isn't always the warmest thing to use! But at least I can pitch the tarp quickly!