DAY 5

Day 5 - Montpelier IDAHO to Afton WYOMING

A really good day. Most of it spent cycling through Caribou and Bridgers National Forests. The gist of it: us riding through a canyon surrounded by either big, red, earthy mounds, or by pine trees and creeks full of beaver dam's. Really scenic.

The day had two pretty decent climbs, the first we completely smashed, and in doing so we both realized our improvements in fitness and ability to ride best together. A short, quick downhill and a lunch stop in an abandoned run-down farmyard.

Then we met the second of the days climbs. This was 7km at 7% gradient, a hill that was steeper and basically more unrelenting than anything we've faced yet (despite it not lasting as long and despite the mercury finally dropping). 7% for 7km is seriously steep. But we did it. And in relative style. Our fitness levels have improved markedly after a hot and hilly initiation.

The reward for such an easily conquered mountain? Try 25km's of non-stop downhill, averaging about 35 km p/h, pedalling every 10 minutes or so. So good. We're also in Wyoming now, which is good. And Grand Teton is two days ride away and Yellowstone four, which is even better. A really good day.

Sidenote: Roadkill. Deer, Eagles, Squirrels, Raccoons. Not us though.