Rode the park today, 29ish miles or approximately 1/6th of a 6th Element ride, but who's counting 
Most of YNP done blowed up during the last caldera eruption, so mountain views are harder to come by.
But you catch a few glimpses the range to the north in the first mellow climb out of West Yellowstone:
Temps were perfect (50s) and mostly sunny, but there were rumors of the w_ _ _ word, and they would prove true.
Not as many bison in this stretch this year, I think the extra snow forced many out of the park for forage
There were 7 bikes pulled over, frantically waving hands/screaming hysterically about how on earth could they pass this bison, and one gal that climbed a tree upslope to escape this dangerous bruin.
Normally, you just give them a wide berth, and they don't bat an eye, but today was different:
I pulled over to the side, hoping he would walk on by, but this asshole starts to walk straight towards me.
Stops about 20 ft out, turns sideways, give me a 30 second side eye and continues to walk in my lane.
I slowly boogied to the far side of the street, and zoomed by much closer than I'd prefer @ 6' or so.
So I was delighted to see this youngster on the upslope off road even, until it dawned on me that I had just ridden between him and mom who was around the bend in a parking lot -- derp:
Made it to my normal turnaround spot / thermal feature just uphill from the Norris T:
Enjoyed a banana from the usual mobile bongshed rock by the springs outlet...
And just another 14.5 miles back to the car...
There is always a headwind returning to West, but today was ridiculous, sustained periods of 20 MPH gusts and a few 30-40s thrown in for good measure, but more of an angled attack than head on at least.
As a result, there were far fewer bikers than previous years, and perhaps 20 "interior/park" cars all day long -- which is why this ride is shiznet.
No dodging inattentive RV drivers, you couldn't pay me to ride in the park normally.
I felt better on this ride THIS year than any other I can recall.
XC skiing 3 times a week probably had a lot to do with it, but for my 3rd ride of the year, whatever I'll take it!
Time for a beer and a poach of the neighbors hot tub!
Most of YNP done blowed up during the last caldera eruption, so mountain views are harder to come by.
But you catch a few glimpses the range to the north in the first mellow climb out of West Yellowstone:
Temps were perfect (50s) and mostly sunny, but there were rumors of the w_ _ _ word, and they would prove true.
Not as many bison in this stretch this year, I think the extra snow forced many out of the park for forage
There were 7 bikes pulled over, frantically waving hands/screaming hysterically about how on earth could they pass this bison, and one gal that climbed a tree upslope to escape this dangerous bruin.
Normally, you just give them a wide berth, and they don't bat an eye, but today was different:
I pulled over to the side, hoping he would walk on by, but this asshole starts to walk straight towards me.
Stops about 20 ft out, turns sideways, give me a 30 second side eye and continues to walk in my lane.
I slowly boogied to the far side of the street, and zoomed by much closer than I'd prefer @ 6' or so.
So I was delighted to see this youngster on the upslope off road even, until it dawned on me that I had just ridden between him and mom who was around the bend in a parking lot -- derp:
Made it to my normal turnaround spot / thermal feature just uphill from the Norris T:
Enjoyed a banana from the usual mobile bongshed rock by the springs outlet...
And just another 14.5 miles back to the car...
There is always a headwind returning to West, but today was ridiculous, sustained periods of 20 MPH gusts and a few 30-40s thrown in for good measure, but more of an angled attack than head on at least.
As a result, there were far fewer bikers than previous years, and perhaps 20 "interior/park" cars all day long -- which is why this ride is shiznet.
No dodging inattentive RV drivers, you couldn't pay me to ride in the park normally.
I felt better on this ride THIS year than any other I can recall.
XC skiing 3 times a week probably had a lot to do with it, but for my 3rd ride of the year, whatever I'll take it!
Time for a beer and a poach of the neighbors hot tub!
)
