Kickoff to Yellowstone to Glacier Parks ride



 Sunday, August 1, 2021

With 4 days to go before flying out to Montana, I went to Torrington, CT to ride The Tour of the Litchfield Hills. It’s a big fundraiser for a Cancer Center in CT. The 100 mile route is listed as an extreme event. I’m only partly extreme so did the 57 mile route. Excellent course with some spicy hills. I did flat my rear tire at mile 25 (part of the challenges of everyday riding) but after I replaced the tube and got wheel back on, found that my rear disc brakes didn’t function. Decided to proceed with caution.

My front disc brakes still functioned well so I kept downhill speeds “reasonable” and finished the ride without further mechanical issues. Definitely my favorite group ride of the year and made better by riding with a crew of 10 others who had come down from Springfield from my Monday night group ride. 

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

Bags are packed. Nearly as much stuff as each of my three previous long distance rides. I forced myself to cull by 25% so I’ll deal with whatever comes.

This trip to Montana is a supported 10 day trip mixing a day of hiking with 8 days of cycling going from Yellowstone to Glacier National parks. Like my previous trips, it is a supported ride. Using REI Adventure this time, though. Unlike my previous rides, it will involve 3 nights of camping. I think that’s the ‘adventure’ angle. They’re not sequential nights so there will be some hotel recovery time. How bad can 3 nights be? 

Will be using a rental road bike this time but will bring my own pedals and shoes. We’ll see how that goes. I see there will be 8 cyclists plus two guides. A buddy from previous rides, Matt, is joining me and the 6 remaining cyclists consist of 4 women and 2 men. We will meet on Friday for orientation and kick off the adventure with a van trip to Yellowstone for a 5 mile hike. 

Looking forward to cycling in a new state and visiting two amazing National Parks.


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