Day 28 - May 18

Team Bozeman Arrives at Montana Ale Works
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Danno was a disciplined camp director.  We were on a schedule - and he was committed to getting us to Montana Ale Works in Bozeman by 5:00pm.  He said we needed to be on the road by 8:00am.  I was up at 6:45am - looking forward to the hot shower that the Campfire Lodge and Campground had available.  Danno and Matt had just showered and they said there was no hot water.  Juvenile prank.  Bad taste in humor.  There was plenty of hot water for everyone and we were all packed up and on the road by 8:15 - practically on schedule.  I could tell that Danno and Matt had the caged animal feeling - they were antsy - ready to hammer away.  Joe Cobb (the Cobb Man) - was putzing around in his typical manner.  Joe is always late.  Josh (Kooter) was a dedicated crew chief - he stayed behind to clean up the remaining gear and we headed off down Hwy 287 to Ennis - 50 miles away.  Oh, and one other thing - I was without my trailer for the first time on the trip.  Josh was towing a huge cargo trailer and my Burley Noman was riding safely in the back.  It felt great to be without the 50 pounds of gear.  We flew to Ennis - it was downhill or flat most of the way - and we had a tail wind for part of the time.  We averaged 20 mph - a record for the tour.  We were in Ennis by 11:30.  Ahead of schedule.  And, to my surprise - Brigitte was waiting for me there.  Cool!  It was great to see her.  She had driven the 1 hour over from Bozeman (50 miles) to meet us for lunch. Of course, this was all choreographed ahead of time by the team.  We chowed down at the local drugstore in Ennis- the place to be.  We all had milkshakes and sandwiches.  We were feeling great.  We had covered 50 miles in under 3 hours.  Typically, with the terrain and my trailer - this mileage would take me easily double the time.  I was feeling pretty good too.  Not good like the other guys - who raced each other up every hill - and waited at the top for me - pokey turtle.  Afternoon it was hot.  We were expecting temps near 90.  A record for Montana - normal temps are in the 60s/70s in May.  We had one big hill to climb to get back home - McAlister Hill.  It was 2 miles long with moderate grade -  nonetheless sweat was poring off my forehead into my eyes.    Josh was waiting at the top with the support vehicle.  Cool drinks and snacks.  We flew down the back side of McAlister hill and through the little crossroads town of Norris.  The ride through the Beartrap Canyon along the Madison River flew by.  Numerous boats and tubes were on the river - fisherman and sun bathers taking advantage of the warm, sunny weather.  There were a few more hills before we got to Bozeman - but we made pretty good time.  Not as fast as the morning but still fast by Tour de Fletch standards.  I drafted Dan, Joe and Matt all day.  It was the best ride of the entire trip.  As we approached Bozeman there was a rest stop off the road along the Gallatin River - cheering there with huge signs saying Welcome Home were Brigitte, Andrea (B's sister) and Josh.  To the team's delight - Josh had splurged for ice cream sandwiches (a staple of the trip), Coke and Snickers Bars.  We were roughly 10 miles to downtown.  We rolled on.  As we approached town - another 5 miles or so to go - I hear some cheering up ahead.  As I got closer I realized it was Abby, Duncan, Oma and Opa (B's parents).  After some hugs and high-fives - we were back on the road for the final approach into Bozeman.  As we entered downtown, there as another roar of cheering at the Lewis and Clark Motel.  We pulled over as Brigitte, Andrea, and Josh sprayed us with cheap champagne.  We had a quick toast to the safe arrival and made our way down mainstreet Bozeman.  OK, it wasn't the Champs Elysee lap of the Tour de France - but it felt pretty close.  As we arrived at the Ale Works, there was a crowd of friends and family gathered outside with cameras and welcome home signs.  It was an incredible feeling.  We had ridden 101 miles - the longest and fastest day of the trip - and it was good to be home.  Home Sweet Home!!!  After lots of hugs and high fives - we proceeded inside for a few cool beers.  It was great to see all of our Bozeman friends and family.  I was more tired than I had ever been in my life - but feeling great at the same time.  The bike portion of the tour had taken me through 1700 miles of Appalachia, Midwest and the Rocky Mountains.  With the motorized portion through Kansas and Missouri- the entire trip was 2700 miles.  It will take a while for all of my experiences to sink in.  Until then, I'll savor being home and with my family and friends.  I'm sure I'll write a final journal entry with my final thoughts on the journey.  Until then, thanks for all of your support.  Having you all with me along the way made the trip more rewarding for me.  Thank you.   

Home Sweet Home!