It’s late afternoon on day two of the Great Ride, and it’s been a very good day. Team 1 rode from midnight to 6am – I didn’t get a chance to talk to them, but word from the ambulance was they had another strong run. It was a cold night, and team 2 found getting set to ride at 6am when it was minus 4 to be a challenge, but it started to warm up about 9:30am. By the time their ride was finished, Brian McGregor told me they had a fabulous ride.
Team 3 took over at Kremlin at noon – it was an idyllic day when they started out – 16 degrees, and not a single cloud in the sky. It was hard to believe the weather forecast calling – yet again – for snow tonight and cold temperatures. Not possible, I thought. This day felt like summer again. But by 6:00 when the transition between 3 and 4 happened near Hayes, it was another story. The temperature has dropped to 5 and the weather has hardened considerably. There’s an ill wind that blows ‘neath these Montana skies, and it could get ugly. My driver Marilyn and I have changed our plans to make sure we’re around for the midnight handover to see what team 5 has to encounter.
11:30 pm
I wouldn’t send a dog out on a night like this…
I am in the town of Jordan. It’s about 2 hours south of where I want to be. We tried to get a hotel near Grassrange, the town where the transition is to take place at midnight. There was one motel, just one, in the area – about 35 kilometres from the transition point. Of course, it’s full. Seems like hunting season is in full swing, and they don’t have to go far for deer! We counted over 50 on the highway tonight. Anyway, the next town with a motel is Jordan, and we’re ensconced at the Garfield – a rustic manor with deer and antelope heads on display in the lobby. The ride here was through high wind from the east (the absolute worst for the riders) and constant rain bordering on sleet. Team 4 is done at midnight and will have to drag their sodden bodies into the van and head here, as the innkeeper informed me that he’s got their rooms ready for them. I’ll have their stories in the morning.
12 comments:
Sorry to hear you hit that weather. Hope everyone is holding up well. On the bright side, it's looking good for your arrival in Austin. :-)
Tanya
Any word on T5's night? I felt a bit guilty getting out of bed this morning!
Get some much needed rest gang,
As a worrisome wife, am waiting anxiously to hear how Team 4 fared during their ride from hell last night. Did the hotel run out of hot water from the lengthy baths after midnight? I am very proud of all of you!
Lynn
Hi Bobbi and Team 5 hope you are all doing great, I haven't read much about you on the blog so hopefully your ride so far was successful. Love you and so so proud.
Colette
Is there any updates from team 5;s night ride? Hope it went well!! Im sure it did.
Love you mom!!
Katie
You guys/gals are doing great! We are all really proud of you.
Is there anyway someone could post the team rosters?
The Gang at Singletouch Technologies
Anxiously awaiting word on Team 5's ride. No broadcast on ShineFM this morning. Waiting and praying.
Sheila
Hi Bobbi, hope T5 has been able to get rest. Heard that the weather was not very good. Is there any word on how they did. Anxiously waiting.
Michelle
Team 5 here again, reporting from the Best Western in Miles City where we were able to get an early checkin and finally some get some rest.
Our ride last night tested us to the MAX. With a strong, cold easterly wind blowing all day, our spirits dropped when driving rain/sleet started approx. 30 min. before taking over from Team 4. Our thoughts quickly turned to our choice of clothing ...which was basically everything we had in the bag!! The heavy rain persisted for the first 3+ hours with frequent pitstops. Then the rain let up slightly as we prepared to turn east, with wind hitting our cold soaked bodies head on. The last 10 km seemed to drag on forever as we executed our single pace-line draft in search of the motorhome and our final stop which occurred just before 6:30 am. Another 'mental toughness' day to top anything else we expect to face on this adventure! WE DID IT, managed to clock just under 110 km and now we just want much rest/recovery and time to dry everything out as we prepare for our next shift tomorrow at 6 AM.
Thanks for the update on T5. It's difficult to sit in our warm homes and read this knowing the night you all had. WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!!!
Sheila
TEAM 5 YOU ARE TOTALLY AWESOME!!!! Ride on..ride on!!!
Gentle Hugs..
Carol
Heh Graham. Keep up the great riding and bike into Austin with great pride for a job well done. Good thing you haven't taken any big spills because if you had, remember this one time, it wouldn't have been caused by me.Not like the younger days. Keep having fun!
Your 'younger' sis
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