Looked easier on paper

DAY 45
Old Faithful, WY to Ennis, MT

Having ridden over the Continental Divide three times yesterday, today's plan is to simply follow the Madison River down valley. Our starting point at Old Faithful sits just under 8,000 feet, where as our ending location of Ennis, Montana is at 5,000 feet. Looking at the profile map, between these two points is one slight incline of less than 300 feet. We should be able to coast the 108 miles down to Ennis, right? Wrong.

Lisa's cozy cabin

It was a bitterly cold morning

A photo op in front of Grand Prismatic, it was great to see you Lisa! Thanks for housing us and riding with us :)

Waking up in a warm cozy Yellowstone employee cabin, we step out to a crisp, clear, sunny morning. By crisp I mean near freezing temperatures. Suited up in our thermals and gloves, the cold is bearable and completely worth the scenery. Lisa rides with us for the first 18 miles of the morning. It's early enough that there's minimal traffic on the roads. In all the usual spots, where you'd expect to see elk, deer, or bison, disappointingly no wildlife is to be found. We say goodbye and thank Lisa just past Madison Junction. On our own again, we exit Wyoming and Yellowstone NP, entering our eighth state, Montana!

The ridiculously long line to enter Yellowstone

Montana!!! Our 8th state!

Cold, but smiling :)

The route takes us north along the shores of first Hebgen Lake and then Quake Lake. Initially we make great time but our old nemesis wind begins to rear it's ugly head slowing our progress. Rounding the end of Quake Lake, a strange wheezing sound comes from behind me. I turn to ask Becky what the noise is, when a few choice words come from her mouth. Her back tire wobbles limp with no air. The road is wedged in between the lake and a sketchy rock laden hill ready to crumble down upon us at any time. This is no place to remain still for any extended amount of time. I switch bikes with Becky and carry the loaded down back end of her bike 100 yards to a safe turn out where we can assess the tire. Wind howls through the canyon and storm clouds above threaten, adding another dynamic to the already stressful situation. At this point I've seen two tires changed my entire life, but never performed the feat myself.

The headwind was brutal

Hebgen Lake

Quake Lake

Successful at changing out the tire, and along with it gaining some much needed confidence in bicycle maintenance (it only took 3,164 miles), we continue on our way. The skies clear as the storm never materializes, but the winds are a constant struggle. We roll into Ennis tired and wind blown. For a day that was all downhill, it had shown us there's no such thing as an easy 100 mile day.

Camping along the Madison River

Stats:
Miles: 107.85
Average speed: 12 mph
Max speed: 33 mph
Odometer: 3164 miles