Day 33 Dillon to Alder 81km

Amazingly we actually managed an earlyish start this morning as planned. The thoughts of afternoon thunderstorms and associated wind were enough to propel me from the warmth of my sleeping bag. So by 0740 we were on the road, but we weren't saved from the thunderstorms! We just rode into them, so we made great time pedaling as fast as legs were able to seek refuge from the wet in the charming town of Twin Bridges. Where I called hot chocolate time and we were made welcome and comfortable at the Weavers Studio. Where an English bloke, name of Norman, weaves the wool from his sheep into beautiful rugs, and I have to say he also makes an absolutely perfect hot chocolate. Kerstin rated his coffee as the best yet and the sign on his coffee machine, "good friends don't let friends drink starbucks" proved he was a man of good taste and distinction. In typical Montana style it was warm and sunny by the time we hit the road again, the weather moves across these mountains at great speed. And we quickly meet a cyclist from Ohio traveling west, and again at lunch, a couple on their bikes, also from Ohio, what are the chances? The afternoon wind did not fail, it just blew in the wrong direction, so we pushed and sweated into Alder, rather than flying in gracefully. But we did beat the second rather large thunderstorm of the day, just. We sheltered in our little tent, the wind trying to pick it up off the grass, the thunder roaring and the occasional bright splash of lightning, and us inside trying to be brave for each other but really a bit frightened. Of course given time, the sun is ours again for dinner and some bike maintenance in preparation for tomorrow's climb. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad