Ennis, MT - Day 11

Stats: We rode 75 miles in rain, then sun and hot and finally in rain again.  After the sun came out later in the morning, temperatures reached into mid 80's.  Several riders got caught in rain and hail this afternoon when some storms hit again.  I pushed hard for the last 10 miles and was able to get to Ennis High School ( our campsite for the night) before the rain and hail hit.  It was somewhat fearful and motivating for me to pedal at 20 mph and watch these black clouds form all around me.  Baggage was unloaded inside due to the threat of rain.  Each day when we arrive at the school our bags will be sitting on the ground waiting for us.  If we arrive early we will usually help unload the baggage trailer.  After dinner the weather cleared and Tom and I walked into Ennis which offers a nice mixture of new and old.  As you can guess, fly fishing is one of the major activities in the area.  By the way we did survive the storm in our tents last night.  I held the tent steady on the inside as we rock and rolled in a thunderstorm with significant wind gusts.

Sights On The Road To Enis

The morning break today was at the Wheat Montana Bakery and Deli 30 miles into our ride.  It is a regional operation with a great presentation of fresh baked pastries and an amazing assortment of fruit and coffee drinks.  We passed the farm where they grow and process their wheat about 5 miles before arriving at the Bakery where we stopped. Martin (UK), Chuck, Casey and Jan (NETH) enjoy some coffee and pastries at the Bakery.  The wooden gate is the type that Woody makes.  Woody was mentioned in a previous entry.  Also we saw some of our first views of the snowcapped rockies, which were magnificant to watch all day as we pedaled towards them.  However at the same time we are ever mindful that we will soon be pedalling over them.

A Wet Start - Day 11

As we left Townsend on Hwy 287 headed south towards Ennis, we could see the storm clouds forming over the mountains to our right.  After five miles on the road the storm hit and we had to duck into a residential garage.  The gentlemen in the picture with Tom and Dan is the homeowner of our shelter from the storm and as luck would have it, he was also part of the staff that served our dinner at Townsend High School last night.  Once the storm passed in about a half hour, we were on our way basking in the wet spray of semis, campers and cars as they passed by us at 60 mph 5 feet from our elbows.  Eventually the clouds cleared and we had beautiful riding weather for most of the day.

Townsend, MT - Day 10

Today's stats: We rode 91 miles with weather varying from clear to cloudy skies with thunderstorms developing in the PM.  Towards the end of the day, we passed by Canyon Ferry Lake shown  in the pics.  It is a large lake of which the pics show the south end.  I ended my ride with Jim, Lori, Brian and Philippe in a pace line just as the wind and rain hit.  There was a severe wind sheer that almost blew us off the road as we turned into Townsend High School.  Even though there were forecasts of severe weather for the evening, we sent up and slept in our tents anyway.  In between storms there was a beautiful rainbow over the school.  We are now riding out another storm in our tents with significant winds.  Both Tom and I tied down the tents with the extra tie-down ropes for high wind conditions.   I am also holding down the tent by hand on the inside.  I will report the results tomorrow if we survive.

On The Road to Townsend

There were several interesting sights today.  The long irrigation systems on motorized wheels are amazing in the distance they cover.  Also stopped at Woody's Lumber and Sawmill just outside Helena as Tom and I rode to lunch.  Woody, a real friendly person, stopped working for a 1/2 hour to explain that he makes ranch entrance gates ( 2 wood poles and a cross member) which is what is on the truck.  He uses both fir and pine logs for the gates. I crossed Prickly Pear Creek on the way to Woody's which I am sure has meaning to some of you back home.  Just after lunch at the Springmeadow Lake State Park, I stopped at the Helena Bike Shop to pick up a tail light.  Of course there was also an ice cream store right next door to the bike shop which we couldn't pass up.

Morning Rest Stop

After Fletcher Pass and the 10 mile descent on the downside, several of us took a break at the Canyon Creek General Store.  With Tom and Dr. Mike in the swing, Philippe standing and Ruth, Jim, Lori, Brian and Margaret on the ground, we are enjoying the sunshine.  I am behind the camera in most of the pictures. Notice the outhouses in the background.

Fletcher Pass - Continental Divide

The first order of business today was climbing 4 miles at 7% grade up to Fletcher Pass and the Continental Divide.  I was able to make the climb without stopping.  The weather was beautiful with clear skies and bright sun.  Tom, Mark (LA), Ruth (CA) and I celebrated our arrival at the summitt with pictures.  Mark is 81 and on his 4th coast to coast ride.  Ruth is with us for the first two weeks and then going east to the Atlantic on her own.  At 6131 feet elevation this pass is higher than the previous ones.

Breakfast Begins the Day - Day 10

This is a typical start to the day with breakfast served by the junior class of Townsend High School in Townsend, MT.  Breakfast consisted of eggs and meat ( sausage, bacon, ham), fresh fruits, dry cereal and oatmeal with condiments, toast with jam and peanut butter, pastries, milk, coffee and juices.  There is plenty of something for everyone.  The usual breakfast serving time is from 6:30 to 7:30am.

Lincoln, MT - Day 9

Today's stats: we rode 80 miles under clear blue skies with temperatures in the 80's.  It was an easy ride with no major climbs, just hot by the end.  We rode through lush fields with the distant mountains a constant reminder of the beauty and climbing yet to come during the week.  Lincoln High School, our campsite for the night, is a beautiful wooden structure.  It is a warm contrast to the usual brick and masonry facade of most schools.  Once camp was set up, Tom and I walked to the hardware store to purchase US flags to put on our bikes for July 4th.

Route Meeting

Every night we have a route meeting to discuss the next day's ride, terrain, weather and special details.  We receive a detailed route map for the next day's ride.  It usually takes place after dinner for 45 minutes.  This helps us plan what clothes to wear and how to use our energy throughout the day. That is, what little energy we have left after last week.

Trixi's

The real treat of the day was lunch at Trixi's with Barb and Ingrid, our two cheerleaders.  Trixi's, a bar and restaurant just outside the town of Ovando, MT, is owned and operated by the family of Bonnie and Dick Martin from Hamilton,OH.  That is Bonnie's sister, Cindy, standing behind the bar.  I had a beer and fried fish sandwich for lunch - great lunch for a bicyclist with 40 more miles to go.  After lunch I bid farewell to Ingrid who I would not see for 8 weeks.

Cheerleaders Support Riders - Day 9

We started the day wearing gloves and jackets as the temperature was quite cool.  Several miles outside of Missoula I passed Jim and Craig (friends that we spent the weekend with) on their way to the airport to drop Jim off.  We had another opportunity to say goodbyes.  The next surprise was finding two enthusiastic cheerleaders at mile 40 encouraging us on.  Tom was lucky enough to get a picture with them but I did better than that by arranging a lunch date with them later today.  As you can see the temperatures have warmed up quite nicely with clear blue skies.

Missoula, MT Rest Day - Day 8

With a total distance for the week of 610 miles over 7 consecutive days of riding, 4 of those days near or more than 100 miles, and 2 major passes plus other significant climbs, the week was gruelling.  We quickly realized that we were in bicycle boot camp.  I had doubts about my body and backside being able to take the pounding.  But it has and I am relieved, elated and ready to tackle another week.  The rest day was a welcome break.  Tom and I spent it with my friends Craig and Barb Burns at their cabin (pictured above) on a lake near Seeley, MT which is tucked between the Mission Mountains and the Swan Range.  Ingrid and another good friend Jim flew in to share the day with us.  We RESTED, visited together, RESTED, walked a bit, RESTED and had a super salmon dinner.  We returned to the dorm in Missoula on Sunday evening to prepare for the next week.

Missoula, MT - Day 7

Today we rode 101 miles under clear to partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the mid 80's.  It was a long and challenging ride with a bit of a headwind at times.  Twenty miles out of Missoula, we passed under the animal bridge shown here with Bill (router).  The animal bridge is built on an animal migration route to allow safe passage over the highway for migrating wildlife.  Shortly after this we stopped for a break and talked to Brian Becker a fellow bicyclist who is doing an 18 month self-contained bike tour of the US, Mexico and Central America.  He sure put our 9 week tour in perspective.  Tonight and tomorrow the group is staying at Knowles Hall Dormitory at the University of Montana in Missoula.  This is quite a treat with the second night of dormitory stay in 3 days.  However Tom and I have a better deal as Ingrid and Barb Burns are meeting us at the dorm and taking us to the Burns' cabin in the mountains for the rest day.

Shuli, The Lunch Chef

This is a typical lunch spread.  Shuli, in the picture, is in charge of lunches.  Each day she and others of our staff shop for the fresh fruits, breads, lunch meats and the theme treat of the day.  So far Mexican with taco salad, American with hot dogs, hot soups on cold days etc.  We are well fed.  Today we are eating in Dixon, MT at the Senior Center park.

Clark Fork River - Day 7

We spent most of the morning following the Clark Fork River on the way to Missoula.  This is an early morning view as the sun was up but still hidden behind the mountains just a few miles out of Thompson Falls.

Thompson Falls, MT - Day 6

Today we rode 70 miles in partly cloudy dry conditions to Thompson Falls, MT.  The route took us up and over Thompson Pass, elevation 4820'.  It was a difficult climb with 7 to 10 degree grades.  I had to walk a mile of the 4 mile climb.  In the picture I am at the top of the pass having come up the road below.  Tonight we are camping at Thompson Falls High School with shower facilities at the community swimming pool next to the school parking lot.  We had a delicious grilled chicken dinner off site hosted by the local Elks Club.

The Top of Thompson Pass

Finally we arrived at the top of Thompson Pass.  Although not a long climb, it was a steep climb with grades of 8 - 10% over the 4 mile ascent.  David (CA) on the left and Dan (AZ) are relieved to be at the top.  These are views of the road below the pass and scenery up the valley as seen from the top.

Picnic Lunch

A lunch stop on the Wenatchee River on Monday and lunch today at the top of Thompson Pass are typical picnic lunch stops about half way through the day's ride.  The menu varies each day.  Usually there will be a special theme item (pizza, Mexican salad, homemade soups, etc.) with a great assortment of fresh fruits (watermelon is the favorite for thirsty bikers), lunch meats, snacks ( nuts, dried fruits, corn nuts, seeds, etc.), and dessert ( I have had every type of Oreo cookie made - creme, peanut butter and mint to name a few).  Bill, one of the routers, is in the picture at Thompson Pass.