Statistics
Distance: 67.8 miles
Average Speed: 11.1 mph
Hours Riding: 6 hours 2 minutes
Calories: 3528
Total Ascent: 4383 feet
Total Descent: - 4331 feet
I woke at 6:30 a.m. and started breaking down camp. Breakfast was at about 8:00 a.m.. Rob, the owner of Bike Dreams, made a shocking announcement that all the staff quit - Sophia the cook, Gordon the bike mechanic, and Marka the driver. It started after the dinner in Whitefish when Sophia bought Kentucky Fried Chicken and potato salad as a meal. One of the participants complained, and when Sophia was told that was not really what we paid for, she quit on the spot. No notice at all. Apparently there were problems, but that event was the spark or excuse. I think Gordon's leaving was also on bad terms. I don't know about Marka. Sean said they are looking for people and not to worry as they would pick up the slack, but all the participants also pitched in to help.
After breakfast, we took the group photo. I rode out with Harry but I was dropping back more than usual for photo opportunities. There were lots of classic landscapes and homesteads to capture.
Andy had a flat so we stopped to see if he needed help. I loaned him my air pump which had more capacity. Andy rode with us afterwards.
We stopped for lunch at about 43 miles and I had a turkey sandwich, a Nutella and peanut butter sandwich, and half a donut.
After lunch, I spoke with 3 guys I had met previously that are also riding the Great Divide, only they are doing it unsupported (in other words, they carry all their gear on their bikes). Their names are Wes, Matt and Seth and they are from San Diego, Bucks County PA, and Colorado. They met as instructors at an adventure camp in New Hampshire. One taught climbing, the other taught tennis and i can't remember what the third taught.
I came across three little kids selling lemonade and other drinks, so I plunked down my 50 cents to get a fresh lemonade. I told them to keep up the entrepreneurial spirit and they would go far!
I caught up with Harry and Andy; Andy was having trouble on the inclines and he was walking a bit, so I hung back with him. We heard a thunderclap and down came the rain.
We got into camp at about 5:00 p.m. and it was raining, so I had some vegetable soup and crackers instead of setting up my tent. I found out that Harry from the netherlands had a low speed fall, but hurt his leg and was walking with a crutch. He will take off a couple days from riding and see how he does.
The rain finally stopped, and I got my tent set up and took a shower before journaling and going to bed.
Lenny: Sorry to hear that the staff has quit. Certainly bad news. I really hope that they can find some replacement staff. I wish that I was there to help out. Terry
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