I still love it, even after all these years.

I thought of this billboard today, for some reason, and looked at this old journal to find it.

I agree - it's inexplicably fascinating. How many people driving by it will have even a slight interest in gas bags? And of that small number of people, it seems like they would already be very much aware of what I assume is a very niche product.

Hey John,

Yes you did warn me, haha!

The worst thing about it was the mosquitoes, actually, closely followed by my (perhaps irrational) fear that a bear would eat me on the trail.

The next day of riding included that ultra-busy section in Yellowstone that you definitely warned me about. I *almost* wimped out there and hitched a ride, but eventually fortified myself to ride it.

Jeff

Jeff -
I'm pretty darned sure that I warned you about the rough surface on the rail trail leading into West Yellowstone. Because I have ridden it. And it is better now than when I rode it. It could be a destination trail if it were improved - - but then it would be crowded. Best - J

Thanks for following along, Jonathan!

Jeff

Hi Jeff - it's been a great ride and a great read and I've really enjoyed the writing and the photos. The wedding you "crashed" back in Idaho was my favourite bit - thanks for sharing!

Thanks for reading, Bob!

Jeff

Thanks, Suzanne!

Jeff

Thanks for reading, Rich!

Jeff

Thanks, Greg. I was in fact able to abstain from meat during the tour, although I grew weary of grilled cheese sandwiches. And there were no flat tires, although Joy, the bike mechanic in our household, was surprised when I got home by how worn the rear tire was.

Thanks for your compliment on my writing. Your journals are always very entertaining, so it means a lot coming from you. In past tours I think I took a little more care with the writing, and this time I was concerned that the entries were a little too much like simple, dry accounts of what happened each day ("and then I ate another granola bar", etc.)

Jeff

Way to go Jeff! It was a great trip with no meat or flat tires. Well done. I enjoyed every day of your journal and found so many of your thoughts on America and bicycling-related matters are in alignment with mine. I mean, quite often, I'd read one of your paragraphs and think to myself, "hey, that's something I would have written." Although it wouldn't have been written as well.
-Greg

Jeff, thanks so much for sharing your journey. Great writing. I've really enjoyed following along. I'm looking forward to reading about your next adventure, whenever that might be.
Bob

Thanks for taking us along! Loved the view of small town America. The heat and distances made me happy that I was viewing it from my armchair.

Read all of your journals and several more than once, Joy's too -- Excellent reads and outstanding photography.
You strike a perfect balance of describing your tours and the events of the day without going into excessive detail.
Both yours and Joy's are among the Best of the Best of bicycling touring journals.
Thanks for all the effort that goes into producing them.

Nice macro shot of these black-eyed Susans!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudbeckia_hirta