Stuck in Lima...

Coming over Bannack Pass yesterday the mud gummed up my drivetrain to the point that my rear der. wrapped around my cassette and into the spokes bending my hanger and the der. simiultaneously. I was able to bend the hanger back only to have it snap off shortly after. I then converted the bike to a single speed shortening the chain and finding something that worked to get me the remaining 35 miles to Lima. The chain snapped twice in the next 35 miles, but I made it in for cheeseburgers, french fries, and coconut cream pie!

After lunch the plans began to come together. The Mountain View Motel let me use their computer to place an order with QBP. I then called Tim Krueger, Product Manager at Salsa cycles, stand up guy, and friend. He expedited the order and got it shipped UPS to me. It will arrive in Lima, MT this afternoon. I'll get the bike together and the show on the road. My hope is to make it the 80 miles to Mack's Inn tonight, then on to Wyoming tomorrow.

On its way to Lima is a new drivetrain, replaceable der. hanger, and a few other bits and pieces. I'll use this as an opportunity to tune a few things on the bike that are working and would likely make it to Salida, but are showing wear.

This mishap will put me a full day's riding behind where I was, but still likely under 20 days if I can keep the same momentum that the Trio of Chris Plesko, Kurt Refsnider, and I had going. We were rocking and enjoying the ride. I'll have to use this as impetus to catch back on to those gents.

It has been a good ride this far. My goal has, and still is, to finish this route. Under 25 days comes second, the daily goals keep things in perspective and get me to the next town. In the last roughly 900 miles and 7 days I have experienced more than I have words for, seen so much natural beauty of this country, and eaten a ton of junk food! I'm loving every minute of adventure. Even this little furlough is an opportunity to rest, regroup, and refocus to move on and persevere.