First pics!

Look at the skinny tires on that tandem!

That Colnago tandem is the ****.

Official Belle of the Ball.

And I thought I was stupid riding Cino on my bike.

Only pic I have so far

Nah, mang. You had it well in hand. You and Northbend had bragging rights that weekend. Don't think the rest of us didn't notice.

So, Jeremiah Johnson attended?

No pics from day 1?
Maybe the heat got them all?

It's not surprising Stu, perhaps you've forgotten how spotty the cellular reception is in Hot Springs.
You know, the town where time where time stands still, stuck in about the year 1972...

They have carrier pigeons bringing the SD chips now!

I have a feeling they are too busy concentrating on the ride . I’m sure we’ll get some amazing pictures and fascinating stories.

Finished a couple hours ago and relaxing in the AC now. Will add ride report probably when I’m back home and the dust (which there was a lot of!) has settled. It was really, really hot but a lot of fun!



Davester rocking in the 90’s


Face reflecting some heat stress


Day 1 done!

The several inch deep “moon dust” blanketing the road around the summit of Bacon Lady climb

VR Jake is the yellow speck in the distance

I'm not jealous. Nope, I am not.

More photos and details, please!

The lunch spot was unreal. Privately owned with a little cabin and a three seater outhouse. Stunning waterfall that cooled the air. Back to the 3-seat outhouse; Please understand, one opens the door and there are three seats, akimbo for group relief.






C.O.W.s = couples on wheels.

The “Moon dust” like talc powder. Never seen anything like it in nature. Impossible to ride in. Gathered in pot holes and grabs your front wheel. We went down once. It was soft and felt like landing in a bouncy house. Lighter than flour. Adheres to everything and stays with a positive charge.

I’ve ride on gravel all the time. But this was different. More like riding on sharpened arrowheads. The first two tires I expected to pop before they did. They were dated 1993. Then switched to Vittoria PAVEs. Still went through 8 in all the first day.

After lunch. No shade to be had. Last tire of the day lasted 2 blocks.

We coasted on flats when downhill. Probably walked 3 miles. But….. that gave us a chance to see……

This hairy fellow.

I had never met Mark (Gugie) in person.

We got the break down award. Bike still rides great. It was a tire thing. If only somebody could have warned me. Did the Hiawatha trail on our last set yesterday.

Brought my saber and bottles to share. Zoom in please. Best timed photo ever.

Go John go!


Crystal

+ 1 on this (or should it be -1 ? )

EIGHT TIRES?........... "If only somebody could have warned me."?

When I read that, I wondered whether he had 8 tires for the second day and bravo for bringing that many spares.

2 on the bike
6 Paves in the tire/glue/pump bag.

yes, everyone warned me!!

I had three more in the overnight luggage.

Your photos are so good, so thoroughly enjoyable, you are forgiven. Plus, you have already paid the price.

P.S. - are the flats simple punctures or are they broken cords with blow outs?

Great pics, thank you. Sorry about the flats.

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.

What is this "moon dust"? Why was it on the road? If it is so fine, doesn't it just blow away in the wind? Does it solidify/compact once it gets wet with rain? Please explain?