I rode most of the way to the waterfall lunch stop on Day 1, then hopped a sag, then rode the final 10 (paved) miles into Hot Springs. The day was hot, the people were great, the bike porn was was excellent. The Day 1 dinner was as a blast. I bailed on Day 2 - I did not relish more gravel roads, more moon dust (see below), more heat and Nine Mile Hill.

The bike performed flawlessly. The only miscues were one or two fluffed shifts that were totally operator error. The one time I almost crashed in the moon dust (see below; really) the PowerGrip pedals and strap combo made getting a foot out and down automatic. I am really glad I (1) installed modern Tektro front brake pads on the Universal 61s to get rid of the squeal that otherwise would driven me bonkers and (2) I changed the 28t chain wheel to a 24t. I definitely needed that 24x28 low gear.

I vastly underestimated how much harder riding on Montana unpaved roads is compared to California pavement. The “moon dust” was a real treat (NOT). As noted, it is like a solid covering of talcum powder and It ranged up to 6” deep and demanded 125% of my attention at all times. Most of the time, I could with effort go where I chose; sometimes I had to go where it chose, or rather where the impossible to see ruts and rocks and potholes hidden underneath the powder chose. I have never worked so hard to go downhill in my life as I did descending through that deep, uber-fine talc at maybe 6mph.

All in all, it was really hard and a lot of fun, especially the people. I’m very glad I was there.Will I do it again? Probably. Should you do it at least once? Absolutely.