July 5, 2008 Harlowton to Billings, MT 92 miles (89)
Woke up at 4:45 to the sound of rain on my tent – not a good omen. The thought of riding 92 miles in the rain was NOT enticing. But no fear, sumo power cleared the air. The sumo that my son, Tim, gave me has become a talisman of good (mostly) luck. I am afraid, as are several other riders, that if I remove the sumo from my aero bars, all sorts of ill fortune will accost us.

This morning’s light rain was the result of a weather front moving through which brought with it a change of wind direction. We were pushed eastward for 46 miles by a strong tailwind. Averaging over 20 miles per hour, the pavement quickly rolled under our wheels. Shortly before turning off 12 there was an impressive line of sandstone cliffs on our left. I pointed them out to the rider I was with at the time, distracted he swerved off the road into gravel and went down. Luckily, he survived with minor scrapes and cuts. At Lavina, our route turned south-south east. Leaving highway 12 after almost 200 miles was a bit sad but Billings, and a rest day, were just ahead.

Two TV crews, Channel 2 and 8, were in the parking lot when Barbara and I arrived. Channel 8 interviewed me about the Big Ride. I missed both the 5 and 10 o’clock new shows on which the footage was to air. Oh well!

Dinner was catered by Beyond Basil. Steak, mahi mahi, and grilled tofu, they had it all! Even beer! They will also be providing the same dinner in Hardin, our next stop.