When I turned on my Garmin bicycle computer this morning, a message appeared which said “Dangerous Wind Advisory”. This meant monstrous tailwind, Woohoo!!! The ride started with a 1000 foot climb out of Lewistown Montana so it was slow going initially for the first hour. Near the top, it started raining so I put on my big orange rain shell, and wind pants. As the wind picked up near the top, my orange rain jacket inflated into a giant pumpkin with big fat wind pant legs that acted like giant sails, and I was on my way. Between the gradual downhill and my big sail pumpkin outfit, my bike and I went screaming down the mountain at speeds up to 45mph, and this is on a loaded touring bike. Couldn’t help feeling that this is what a Nantucket sleigh ride must have felt like.

While it was really raining and blowing, I met two bicyclists who had come from Bar Harbor, Maine and were traveling westbound so the wind and stinging rain was right in their faces. They had given up on their original plan of making it all the way to Winnett and were just trying to find any place they could park it and get some shelter. I think I would’ve stayed in my sleeping bag if I was heading eastbound today.

For one 5 to 10 mile stretch, I don’t think that I peddled at all and still maintained a speed of between 25 and 35 mph. Through the course of the day, however, the wind direction started to shift and the mostly flat roads moved into rolling hills. The crazy tailwind became a cruel crosswind during the last 40 miles.where you had to lean your bicycle sideways to keep from being blown over occasionally, or be blown into the ditch on the side of the road. Well, at least the first 70 miles were glorious.

The private campground in Jordan MT seemed to be abandoned but I was able to find a cabin in town which felt really indulgent, but since it was still raining it was probably a good choice. So I have my Cozy home for the night.

So grand tally on the day was 130 miles. It was definitely a tailwind day.