Scott’s 3rd Report to Paula

At 10:00 p.m. on Sunday Scott rolled into Helena just in time to eat. He rode 130 miles and had a good stretch from Lincoln to Helena which took him only 6 hours to ride. I continue to be amazed to see him push through the pain and ride like a champion. When I talked to him it is clear that he was enjoying himself as well. His demeanor can only make me think of something he wrote earlier.

“But often the doubts disappeared and everything came together. These times were a gift. Often they came at the end of a long day, as the sun set and the evening shadows grew. The mountains would speak silence to us. The pedal strokes were effortless; our tires floated on air. Sometimes these moments of levity would come just from finding a good rhythm on a climb, or after rallying through a technical stretch of trail.”

In my mind I see him on the trail struggling through the pain and receiving the “gift”.

Scott is closing in on his competitors. If things continue to go reasonably I am certain he will present a fearsome challenge. One of his competitors Allen Tilling arrived in Helena at 9:00 p.m. Allen also seems to be having troubles (with his knee). The man in first, Pete left Helena at 5:40 p.m.

Scott will be getting an adjustment in Helena in the morning. Hopefully this will take care of his nerve problem and his peddle strokes with become effortless and his tires will float on air.