Desending to the Summit

27 degrees was the temperature on the car thermometer when we were dropped off 10 miles into yellowstone. The skies were clear for the most part but there was a chill in the air that made us shiver to the bone. I looked over at Justin after the first 10 miles and saw icicles forming in his now grizzly beard.

The temperature slowly warmed through the day, and things started to get a little interesting when we ran into a herd of bison in the middle of the road. As we weaved through the first wave of them we were stopped by an impressively large one eyeing us down in the middle of the road. Not knowing what to do we froze, and soon we were being surrounded by these massive animals. After some tense moments a car pulled in to serve as a block and we bolted out of there at mach speed. Probably the scarcest moment of the trip so far.





After the near bison attack the day, we climbed up and out of the Rockies for good and are officially in the flatlands for longer than I'd like to think about. Midway down the climb, we stopped to grab some lunch and Justin had an Alaskan Ale to celebrate his birthday. I wished him a happy birthday by letting him have my two saltine packets amounting to 80 much needed calories and as much pulling as I could do. We ended the day riding a descent with a tailwind that ripped us through the last 50 miles in two hours.

Although the day was full of climbing the green jersey saw some serious action and a change in hands by the end of the day. Because of all the wildlife in the park, any animal related sprint points were nullified. Justin caught Dave out of position as we barrelled into a reduced speed zone and electric radar gun. Justin saw the sign first and made a acceleration, it was too soon though as Dave was able to come around Justin at the line with a bike throw, a three point bonus was awarded for hitting 35 mph in the sprint. Dave also extended his lead capturing a three point world sign, for the best rodeo in the world, here in Cody, WY (which is unfortunately closed for the season).