A brutal 119 mile ride into a 20 MPH headwind today made for some very irritable and grumpy penguins. Some raw nerves were exposed today at many locations in the group. It was a long hot day with strong winds out of the northeast shifting to the southeast which meant that for a time the wind was directly in our face. With the headwinds the need to work together and ride as a group was imperative. I rode with my NH roommate and the young Australian girl that we have sort of adopted. They are both strong riders but the Australian is a bit erratic. After some firm direction we rode well as a team. We again left last but by the 60 mile mark had passed many and gathered a group of about 10 who were able to hang on and work with us. It was very hot and around the 85 mile mark the group began to fracture with some demanding a slower pace, some being kind and others just wanting to hammer and get it over with.

In a fit of youthful and hormonal exuberance the Aussie broke out ahead alone on a moderate hill but no one went out with her. After another 6 or 8 grueling and testy but slow miles, Charlie my roommate broke and taking the advice given by Sarah and Lorrie, I went out to "stay with Charlie". Two other guys followed and at about the 100 mile mark we caught the Aussie out front alone and exhausted. We had sympathy and pulled her in the last 20 miles just in front of a huge approaching thunderstorm.

I tried to get the bedraggled group to join me for a swim and icing of tired legs in the N. Platte River but got no takers. Pictures were slim today partly because of the mini psychodrama but also because the terrain was flat, dry, desolate, boring and all the same.But I do have 1 pictures below.

After 9 straight days of riding tomorrow is a much needed rest day here in Casper, Wyoming. It looks to be not a very interesting city so after a 9:30 massage I plan on resting, doing my first laundry and taking a group to the swimming spot I found on the river.