We cheated :(

Many years from now when I brag about this trip, I hope no one finds this blog because I will lie through my teeth about today. We are taking a ride.

Honestly, it pains me to take this ride and I can't forgive myself. I know there's no excuse. That being said, here's my list of excuses:

1: It is the fourth of July. Not only do we deserve a holiday, it is a bad day to ride. We got buzzed so many times yesterday, I was scarred about riding today.

2. I am suffering two mechanical issues. My seat bolt is stripped so badly that after I made a small adjustment the seat wont stay tight. Its fine to ride, but uncomfortable. Also, my tire has a two inch gash on the top layer; the bottom layer is fine but still not what I want to ride on. I have a back up tire in Sheridan. Of course, all bike shops are closed today.

3. We have a dealine. Rachel has to be in Chicago by the 21st. This ride saves us a day, which cuts our average by 5 miles a day. Trust me, that makes a huge difference.

4. The ride is mostly south. We are only gaining 45 miles east. We have done more extra than that. In fact, from Seattle to Billings it is only 822 miles on roads. We have done over 1500 miles already. Just going to glacier pretty much covered this trip. If we had gone straight to chicago from seattle, we would be 500 miles outside it right now.

5. There was no camping on the Res, so we had no idea where we would camp tonight.

6. We havent taken a full day off, so we like the rest after our two past big days.

7. Rachel's Steripen needed its battery replaced. She did not know this. Bad water makes a day even harder.

8. Our hosts just happened to be going to Sheridan. Plus, they are hilarious. We have been laughing none stop.

Ive had a lot of time to come up with these excuses.

If it isnt obvious, i feel bad about taking this ride, but I'm enjoying the AC. Rachel calls it tactical advancing. I guess part of this trip is not letting my ego in the way of enjoying the trip.

I will deny this every happened in the future