No tax?

What a pleasant surprise it is purchasing something for $29.95 and paying exactly that amount for it. I strongly recommend shopping in Montana. Not that there are many retail opportunities here in Roundup, but there is a Radio Shack, and they sell wool socks, too. I already have two pair packed along with me, so as tempting it was, I refrained. Wool socks are just for rainy days.

Today was a rainy day, but not rainy enough to pull over and put on wool socks. Also, it was under 50 miles so just a warm-up ride anyway. We had a great time resting in Billings; some went sight seeing, but I opted to just hang around the church after sleeping in. Sleeping in means getting up after 6. We enjoyed church services and lunch with the most of the congregation afterward. It was as rejuvenating for them as it was for us.

After going to the store to get a new air mattress I was able to do some sorely needed service on my bike; shifter adjustments, re-packing rear wheel bearings, and putting new tires on. Heaven forbid I get a flat tire at 30 miles per hour.

Today's ride was a short 48 miles, and I felt great on my tuned up bicycle. Apparently John did too, for he bet me ten dollars he'd arrive before I would. I saw a sucker, for he's 11 years older. We rode together to the 25 mile point where we took a break; I cut mine short to get the jump on him (I figured he had something up his sleeve). It was 32 miles of climbing a gradual 1000 feet, and then 16 miles 1000 downhill into Roundup. Around 33 miles, when I was going downhill I got a flat doing 30 miles per hour. A piece of baling wire right through my new rear tire. Fortunately it was a slow leak, not a sudden burst so I maintained control. I made necessary repairs and was back on the road, but not before John blew by me, and then it started raining.

Resigned to being $10 poorer I didn't rush onward. I stopped at the town line and took a couple of photos, and then found my way here to the Emmanuel Baptist Church. We're spending the night in the basement; one of many I've found comfort in. Home made pizza dinner was provided by the youth pastor. Tomorrow we head to Harlowtown, 70 miles west and 1000 feet uphill, to 4200 feet. I'm going to challenge John to double or nothing.