More than Half Way

Yesterday we reached the half way point so it's all downhill from here (with a bit of uphill thrown in for good measure). The highlight yesterday was crossing the Missouri River which marks the divide between east and west, or dry and wet. The wind continues from the east so the days are a little longer than planned. Since our last post we have faced Mt Rushmore, been bad in the badlands and told jokes in the cornfields.

Steve had a sag day today (strained a hammy) leaving Rob bereft! Rob managed to convince the Ohio boys that his singing wasn't too bad so they let him tag along (Rob reckons that their singing leaves a bit to be desired anyway). The highlights for Steve in the sag were firstly missing the 4 miles of gravel, just 10 miles from the end, and secondly listening to Lon's stories. He truly is the high priest of long distance cycling and his wit is dryer than a dead dingo's donger. eg Lon says that a lot of farmers sell corn by the side of the road - throw a couple of dollars in the jar and take a dozen cobs "...but the pirates charge a buck an ear".

Now for Rob's wether report: The temperature continues to be 95-100F with the feet even hotter. The high pressure continues in the extreme south accompanied by strong antarctic winds causing the polar ice cap to melt rapidly. On another front, a measure of the frustration of some of the cyclists was exemplified by the fact that the girlfriend of one arrived at 3am, and by 6:45 that same morning he had proposed marriage. They were last seen riding off into the sunrise on a tandem. He hasn't been seen since!!! (All this is true, only the facts have been altered to protect the innocent and not so innocent).

With luck and a bit of icing, the Aussie Train should be rolling towards the Mississippi tomorrow.

Big Horn in Pictures - Can you Feel the Pain!!

A little less emphasis on the "Old" please

Here we are having completed Day 11 - Sheridan to Gillette a middling 113 miles in continuing hot conditions but fair roads and a tail wind for the last 30 miles.

Day 10 (Cody to Sheridan) was the big one to this point involving a thirty mile ascent of the Bighorn mountains with grades 10% or more for about 10 miles of that. The total day covered 150 miles (241 K) and 7300 ft (2225 metres) of climb . Steve conquered the big Horn; Rob fell a little short.

We have now covered more than 1200 miles (2000 K) and facing up to 160 miles and 6000+ ft of climbing to Mt Rushmore and beyond tomorrow.

An analysis of the ages of this tour group's participants shows that we are not as old as you may have thought.

The total complement of riders and support crew at the start was 44 (it is now at 42 with one withdrawal and one who planned to ride only the first week).

Of the original 44 the age spread is 14 - 68 and the distributions follows:
<19 years old - 2
20 - 29 years old - 1 only
30 - 39 years old - 5
40 -49 years old - 11
50 -59 years old - 16
60 -69 years old - 9

Steve at 50 is one of four at the median age for this group. It should be said that the 50s and 60s are well represented amongst those who are regularly first in a the end of each day - (R & S) are not in this group.

More on the Typical PAC Tour Day

Two more comments on the typical PAC tour day.

First, on arrival at the motel stop for the day it usually takes about an hour to rehydrate consume a bit of food talk about the day and clean and maintain the bike (today Steve spent a good 30 minutes evicting the half dozen canaries that had taken up residence in his rear dérailleur) before heading for the allotted room and a shower.

We aim to eat early and, Telstra's coverage permitting, communicate with the sane and sensible world before hitting the sack about 9 to 9.30.

Second, days 7 & 8 demonstrate the problems with talking "typical". On paper the are all but identical at 100 miles and about 4000ft of climbing in temperatures reaching above 100F but in practice they were remarkably different due mainly to the quality of the road surface - much better on day 8; the wind - favourable on day 8 and the discipline we were able to keep. On day seven in a moment of exhilaration having just crossed the Continental Divide on reaching the summit of Pipestone Pass (5 mile 1200 ft climb) and enjoying a 7 mile descent at 35 - 42 MPH, we fell into the trap of joining a pace line doing about 24 MPH for the 6 - 8 miles to the first SAG. We paid for that indiscretion three hours later when the last 20 miles into Bozeman felt like 50 and we both aged 20 years. Today we maintained the discipline and arrived in shorter time and feeling much better with ourselves and each other.

Finally a wether update - due to a persistent and intense high pressure region in the extreme south Steve's ardour has cooled by about 25 degrees - Rob's by contrast has increased by 10 or 15 and so we are both in the warm temperate zone - with an emphasis on the temperate.

Day 8 - Bozeman to Columbus

As you can see from the photo on the right, there is good coffee in the US. Here I am enjoying a double shot.

Today is day 8 and we have clocked up 923miles (1477kms). After lots of climbing yesterday over the Continental Divide, today was an easy day of only 104 miles (166kms) with a steady tail wind all day. We averaged about 20mph (32kph) on smooth roads and reasonably flat terrain - only one steady climb this morning (Stromlo x 3 in length). The temperature was our only problem with 105F when we arrived in Columbus. The sag wagon did a few trips to get us down to Yellowstone River for a cool down. Rob was the hero of the day when he saved a young local from the raging waters!

Things are going well but I wish Rob would stop trying to sing...

Day 6 An average day on the Tour

The bare facts of the day - Missoula Montana to Butte Montana, 133 miles (220 odd k) 5000 ft of climbing max speed 36mph, average speed 16.1 mph, 8hr 20 min riding 10 hr on the road. This makes it close to the tour average for distance and a little higher for climbing.

Being average the day involves waking a bit before six; dressing, packing, applying suncream and chamois cream before taking the bike out and filling drink bottles and checking tyres and breakfast in the car park starting at 6.30.

Breakfast consists of porridge/cereals dried fruit, toast ( some previous Australian has left some vegemite but it is long past its enjoyment date), muffins etc, fruit drink coffee and this morning Susan made scrambled eggs. We take as much as we can on in about 20 mins then finish the packing up and have the bags on the trailer by 7.00 before setting off on the day's riding into overcast conditions with a hint of rain.

First sag after 27 miles on the service road and shoulder of I90 - a puncture at about 18 miles slowed us down and we arrived at about 9.10. Sag involves drinks fruit, bars, chamois cream and suncream taking 10 to 15 minutes then another 27 miles mostly alongside I90 before a turn off onto a lesser road and the second sag. Then on into increasing heat (max 100+F) and head winds to lunch at the Phillipsburg show grounds. Luncheon offerings include hot dogs, salad potato salad, couscous, boiled eggs, cold meat, breads and canned fruit and cake as well as soft drinks and sports drinks as well as chamois cream and suncream.

After about 30 -40 mins (1.35pm) (a bit longer than our norm) we head off into increasing heat and wind and after 7 miles a 4 mile 8% climb to Georgetown Lake then 5 or 6 miles flat alongside the lake before a long (10 mile) downhill of varying slope to Anaconda and then the final sag at mile 114 more chamois cream and on over undulating country to the motel via the back blocks and cycleways of Butte arriving at five past five. Being alongfside major rivers for most of the way the "flat" bits were infact upslope at about half to one percent.

More from days 1 - 5

Steve has told one version of the truth so here's some more;

First as to the third man in the photos - we have worked out what he is but are not sure of his identity that is we can only guess at what his name might be. He is the ultimate SNAG who is sharing the pregnancy with his wife the photo captures him very near the birth and we find him, considerate as ever, letting his wife have first turn in the labour ward while he waits, writhing in agony in the rickshaw outside the hospital. We still don't know who he is but we never want to meet him.

Second as to the tour itself. Every night we say prayers of thanks to St Tracey of Uriarra for the skills and disciplines she has bestowed upon us and every morning we pray to her again that she keep us safe from those who might half-wheel us or suck our wheels for 15 miles and when it is their turn to take the lead, attack and rip our legs off or go to the lead and apply the brakes. So far she has interceded successfully with Velos, the God of Cycling, on our behalf.

Now for a wether report - Steve's temperature is at 99 Celsius he told me that the horses we passed to day had lovely brown eyes. Rob is at a cool 65 degrees but that is just because he is blowing a lot of wind.

The scenery so far is dominated by America's unequal share of the world's water and its consequences - rivers you have never heard of (eg Pend Oreille) that make the mighty Murray look like a garden hose; great long valleys cut into the landscape and such lush vegetation that you can't see more than a few metres into the forest either side of the road.

Day 5...Missoula, MT

Today we made it to Missoula, Montana. Day 5, close to 600mls (nearly 1000kms), 3rd state and 2nd timezone (and 3 litres of chamois cream). The ride has been fantastic...well organised and planned to the last organic raisin. The route follows major roads with lots of detours through country areas and back roads. We can clock up some good miles on the major routes and then take it a bit more slowly on the more scenic paths. We've been averaging around 16mph (about 26kph).

So far we have seen osprey, bald eagles, crayfish, squirrels, deer, red tailed hawks, geese and ducks, not to mention some pretty impressive scenery! Check out the photos on www.pactour.com...follow the links to northern transcontinental and then to Susan's tour pictures. This connection won't let us upload photos but Susan has put some of ours up on her site (see day 3 photos). Will try to keep the blog updated as often as possible but can't always access the technology.

Finally, congratulations to the Gaudry family on the birth of Jack. (Rob wore his Tux for the occasion and we had a glass of Alaskan Amber last night to celebrate! We also passed by Tracey Road, yesterday).

Less than a week!

Thanks, Paul, for getting the blog going. It's less than a week until we set off from Everett, Washington, on our epic 5500km trek. We will soon know whether all that riding in sub-zero Canberra weather has paid off. For those who couldn't pick the mystery rider on the left, I've provided some clues to help you work it out...

Steve

Two old farts prepare for the journey - Paul

From this point onwards there is no turning back. Flights booked, wives are appeased (to a certain extent), bums are creamed and ready to go!

I am sure all of us, would like to wish Rob "Funkmeister" Keogh and Stephen "Can I have some red wine with that?" Doyle the very best on their journey accross America. We hope to read sordid tales of "grit" eating in Montana, 300 punctures through the Rockies, possum hunting in Virginia.

Take care guys, keep this blog going.

Regards
Paul