Race to Billings!

I rode like my ass was on fire. After taking it easy yesterday, and being that today was only 50 miles, and Steven (our fastest) was busy with sweep duties I figured I could take the front. I took the lead early with a rider in my draft for some time, not sure who it was. I should have known; Dave, a daily front-runner, was riding my tail. Good thing, too, for he came in pretty handy, especially on the climbs. I'm not a strong climber so I found his draft advantageous for as long as I kept up. I'm great going downhill and do okay on the flats, but there was some apparent headwind of 5-7 mph that was tiring. We took turns pulling draft and were able to take a long break at 25 miles, leaving the rest stop just as the next riders were coming in. We continued onward through rolling terrain of increasing elevation to 28 miles. Then it was gradual downhill to the 36 mile point where we found Pryor Creek cut deeply through the rock. This area had apparently burned not long ago, so the stark contrast of the burnt trees on yellow hills cut in miniature canyons was fascinating.

From the valley to the rim overlooking Billings was a climb to 3922 feet- approaching my current mental wall of 4,000 feet, and up a 5% grade. Dave was waiting at the top as I arrived, for he had less trouble with the climb.

I took us downhill. Like I mentioned above I'm great on the downhills. Sure, that sounds easy, but try and keep up. Heavier riders on heavier bikes roll faster; it is factored by rolling resistance, inertia, surface to mass ratio that slighter riders don't have. Okay, that's my theory anyway. It was a great, steep, twisting, thrilling ride into Billings. This valley was cut out by the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers, where they meet.

We made our way through town, and of course now that I enjoyed my only day leading, I didn't have chalk to mark the turns for following riders. One thing my fellow riders know me for is Gold Bond medicated powder. I don't recommend the stuff in the blue container- "maximum strength" foot powder to pour in your shorts, but it's all I could find. Anyway, "This stuff works!" is their slogan, and it does right well as a road marker even a blind man could follow for it's notable aroma.

We are guests of Heights Baptist Church. We were able to dine with some of the congregation who put on a great pot-roast dinner for us. I learned of something I never heard of; fishing for paddlefish. They are massive, ugly things, but great sport from the enthusiasm of our host and pictures he shared. We retire in the large church basement for us to sprawl out in. Tomorrow we rest. I have a few errands to do (like go to Target for more Gold Bond) and work on my bike, which is a rolling mess. That concludes week six, my most anticipated, but there are three to follow I'm sure will be just as good.