TransAm 2012 - Cycle across America

Sunday 22nd July 2012
Day 64, Dillon to Jackson

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Long day in the saddle, didn't feel like doing much. Missed old cowboy town, bad mistake.

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Start time: 08.02
Start location: Dillon
Start State: Montana
Start weather: Warrm
Total millage so far: 3,300.18

Finish time: 12.15
Finish location: Jackson
Finish State: Montana
Finish weather: Hot
Miles today: 49.06
Total millage so far: 3,349.24
Today's top speed: 40.7
Today's average speed: 13.4
Today’s ride time: 3hr 39min 32sec
Punctures - 3 (slow back wheel), (staple in back wheel), (major blowout)

Music played:
The Essential Mix - The 2 Bears - 21-01-12
The Essential Mix - Hull special - 27-01-12

Blog for the day (Monday, 23 July 2012):
Well. after yesterdays bad day, I guess things could get only better! The day was going to be a short ride, so things were improving there. The scenery was good again with lots of animals everywhere. The hills were long, but you just bash away at them, get into a rhythm and tune into your music. The dessents were great, or at least they would have been if I hadn't had yesterdays dance with the devil, (tire blow-out at 46mph). Someone was certainly looking down on me yesterday. I guess I am really lucky. I took the descents today very carefully, the first one at a max speed of 36mph. I didn't fee like stopping at the ghost gold rush town. Any other day I would have, but I just didn't feel up to it. I wanted to get in to camp and relax. The tour is getting really tough, I hope I can get to the end in one piece. Twelve weeks is a long time, especially when no one comes out to visit. I know things could be a lot worse and the aching joints are nothing compared to what pain my aunt and Morgan went through, so one can't complain too much.

Not too much else happened before the second hill came up. I plugged away at it again, not sure if it was a tailwind or someone above giving me a hand up, either way, it was very welcome. I got to the top with a stunning view yet again. I asked a women, who I thought was British becuase of her Union Jack t-shirt, but she was local'ish, what the information plaques said. It was more Clark and what's his face, and some info on how the hay was dried. We wished each other well and I cycled off downhill, again, taking it real easy. I could have easily broken my speed record today, the roads were great with not much traffic in the late morning. I have to check, but I think my top speed was about 40mph. Still feeling pretty rotten and fed up, even though the views for most of the day were outstanding, I looked up and then I saw it. A bald headed eagle circling above. It really lifted my spirits and brought a tear to my eye to actually see one. Anotherr tick off my imgainery American list. Not sure what is left, the 4th July fireworks didn't happen, not seen any stars in the sky yet as we are always in bed so early, still hopeful of seeing Clint Eastwood riding a horse down one of the hillsides though.

The town of Jackson is really nice, small, but real nice. We are staying in a lovely place, good camping, though I took a cabin as I needed to chill. The main restraunt area and bar is great. A huge space which I bet is amazing in the depths of winter, Christmas & New Years Eve. There is the oblicitory dead animals and horns adoring the walls too, with a hot natural spa pool out back, lovely!!!! My legs are still worn out, maybe I need to give them a good stretch to put some life back in them. Not sure. Just feeling so worn out and run down. Its a real shame to be feeling like you want to go back home when you cycle through such amazing scenery, with only a couple of weeks left, knowing that I will be wishing to be back here at any cost.