Nope, not Crickets!

Bruce told me they were Grasshoppers but apparently that didn't stick like all the dead bugs did.

So we stop today so Dana can get a picture of these cows standing in a pond. When I get a whiff of antifreeze. That is never a good smell for many reasons and none of them good. So I lean over and notice one of my radiator hoses with a stream of coolant coming out. Luckily for me it was a loose clamp and the hose had almost pushed it's way off the nipple.....caught it just in time. Pushed it back on with my gloved hand and tightened it down.

Nearly 2/3rds done, we've debated if riding east had more pros or cons. I think we ended up winning. First, many people crash out as the trip progresses. It really just a stacking error. every day you ride all day and sleep somewhere new. If you had ridden west, this tiredness would occur at the same time the trail gets more technical.

• There are more services available east of the continental divide. No doubt the bikes are taking a beating, and as the miles progress it is nice to think help might be available
• We wake up early on eastern time zone. This means we get an extra hour two of sleep and still on the road at day break for the first week or so.
• We have fresh rubber on the tough parts of trail.
• With the notable exception of Imogene pass, it seemed that we rode the easier direction of many sections.
• We don't have to rush at the end to catch a plane or shipper.
• As Bruce mentioned, if we run short of time, the stuff we skipped is closest to home.
• While I might tweak other things, but east direction was a huge win for us.

Basically, some folks felt like we ate dessert (The Western TAT) before we had the main course (The Eastern TAT).  All the same to me, as I have no qualms eating dessert first, when presented the opportunity.