Days 15 and 16 - 25-mile ride into West Yellowstone followed by an epic ride across Yellowstone National Park

After two solid weeks of climbing through the Rockies with no rest days, the team decided to take a partial day off. On Monday (Day 15) we agreed to ride the short distance from where we left off on Sunday to the west entrance to Yellowstone. Not only did we need an easy day but we needed some time to plan our logistics over the next few weeks due to our trusty driver Kevin needing to head home for a while due to personal reasons.

With Monday being a little less than 30 miles, we were able to get off the bikes and have a nice lunch in West Yellowstone and we were able to take the pickup truck into the national park for a couple of hours of sight seeing.

Today, Day 16 started early and we knew we had our hands full either a full crossing of Yellowstone on the agenda. It was a beautiful day, saw a bear and quite a few bison as we biked along side thousands of tourist’s cars. Generally, the shoulders were ok on our 81 mile ride with the exception of maybe 15 miles stretch mid-ride. We climbed just over 4,000 ft and reached an altitude of just over 8,600 feet. The highest passes so far! At the east end of the park we had a 10 mile 2,000 foot decent to the east gate of the park! It was an exciting ride to say the least! Yellowstone was stunning!

Day 17 and 18 will be a little easier 150 mile ride. This will take us to Day 19, where we will drive our friend Jenny up to Billings Montana where we will say our goodbye as she flies back to New York. Jenny came to ride with us but with Kevin having to leave, she has been our substitute SAG support. She has been so helpful. We owe her so much gratitude! While in Billings, we will pick up Kevin’s cousin Rick, from Lockport, New York. Rick will help us out next two weeks in Kevin’s absence.

There has been so many selfless acts as we have worked our way across the US. It blows me away how people have lent a hand to make this journey for The Seeing Eye, Inc. happen!