Day 13: From Harlowton, MT to Billings, MT

The first 47 miles of this ride FLEW by and were nice easy flat miles with an amazing tailwind and great conversation the whole time with Jenny, kind of forgot that I was cycling or doing any physical activity for that matter. We reached lunch by 9:00am! Yes, lunch at 9, but when breakfast is before 6 and you’re burning mucho calories, it sounds about right. After that, thing took a turn. I got another 2 flats, making 7 flats in 4 days. Our ride group for the latter half of the day was Olivia. Jeff Sloan, Melanie, and Jenny and we racked in 7 flats among us total. We all stopped for each other and then powered each other through the last 35 miles or so. Jeff led the way and pulled us for what felt like eternity, probably felt longer for him, as the tail wind switched to a headwind. He will be receiving many libations on us ladies today. Tonight we are headed to dinner, sponsored by Basil Café, and although Charlton and Lynn have said every night is the best dinner on the trip (and every night I think they are right), they have reassured me that no, really, TONIGHT, will be the best.

      

                                                Jenny in downtown Billings lookout      

                                 View from our dorm balcony at Montana State University

OK, so it was probably the best. We had steak, edamame/cranberry salad, blackbean/corn salsa, tortilla chips, romaine salad, strawberries, and I may or may not have had 3 cupcakes for dessert. I decided today is the day I stop eating once I am full because the level of discomfort felt today and after pie day is no longer bearable and I need to make this a statement in my blog so I am accountable for future overeating endeavors. After dinner, we went to a bar for some strawberry wheat beer and Olivia and I treated Jeff to his IPAs for his gracious help with our flats and for pulling us , oh say, 60 miles.

On our rest day, we had breakfast, explored a bit, went to the art museum, and went to Symphony in the Park. Funny anecdote, we (mostly I) were all very excited for the "petting zoo" at the orchestra. After searching for goats and ponies, I was later informed that the petting zoo is a term for an instrument station set up earlier so children can touch the instruments. BUMMER.

                                                     Yellowstone Art Museum (YOMA)

                                                                   Pioneer Park