I think that you lack sufficient understanding of the timeline.
-Taken from Appendix B-
September 18: Gandalf escapes Orthanc in the early hours (after having been there since July 10). The Black Riders cross the Fords of Isen.
September 19: Gandalf comes to Edoras as a beggar, and is refused admittance.
September 20: Gandalf gains entrance to Edoras. Theoden commands him to go: "Take any horse, only be gone ere tomorrow is old!"
September 21: Gandalf meets Shadowfax, but the horse will not allow him to come near. He follows Shadowfax far over the fields. (emphasis mine)
September 22: The Black Riders reach Sarn Ford at evening; they drive off the guard of Rangers. Gandalf overtakes Shadowfax. (emphasis mine)
September 23: Four riders enter the Shire before dawn. The others pursue the Rangers eastward, then return to watch the Greenway. A Black Rider comes to Hobbiton at nightfall. Frodo leaves Bag End. Gandalf having tamed Shadowfax rides from Rohan. (emphasis mine)
September 24: Gandalf crosses the Isen.
You will note that there is no reference to a side trip to Rivendell or anywhere else, and Gandalf did not have Shadowfax when he escaped Orthanc.
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...finding a path that cannot be found, walking a road that cannot be seen, climbing a ladder that was never placed, or reading a paragraph that has no...
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