Category: Montana 2014 Part 1

Sunday July 13, 2014, 93 miles (149 km) – Total so far: 2,616 miles (4,210 km)

“Well, Verne. Good morning. Ready to go, are you”?

In the faint light of pre-dawn, I can see Verne right next to my sleeping bag, standing, looking at me. Normally, I stick Verne and Kermit up top in the tent’s mesh gear loft before I go to sleep. They rest up there with my sunglasses and headlamp. I must have forgotten to put them up there last night. But how he has gotten to be standing right next to my sleeping bag, arms half-raised and goofy grin greeting me as I first open my eyes, I do not know. Perhaps I do not want to know.

“Okay, little turtle, let’s get going”. Read more →

Monday July 14, 2014, 44 miles (70 km) – Total so far: 2,660 miles (4,280 km)

Up at 4.40 am and on the road at 5.15 am. There is an 80 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon, so I’d like to get to at least Divide Bridge Campground before the weather comes in. That’s the plan anyway. Read more →

Tuesday July 15, 2014, 43 miles (69 km) – Total so far: 2,703 miles (4,349 km)

Sometimes it’s so quiet outside the tent in the morning, you wonder if the world will still be there when you unzip the fly. There was thunder and rain through the night, but it is almost totally silent now. I can’t even hear the river. Aaahhh… it is so peaceful and quiet. That is not something Montana has served up recently on the ride. Read more →

Wednesday July 16, 2014

The sun wakes me early. The gurgle and tumble of the creek is a soothing white noise… that puts me straight back to sleep. I manage to sleep in until 9 am. A sign at the fee box says that there is a bear active in the campground, but no sniffing around the tent or animals tripping over guylines woke me through the night.  Read more →

Thursday July 17, 2014, 73 miles (117 km) – Total so far: 2,775 miles (4,467 km)

What is a typical day on the road? Is it a day of eat, drink, ride and sleep where each of those is done in some varying amount? Is a typical day one where you ride an average distance and are carried there by your normal riding routines? Is there ever a typical day? Is every day a typical day? Read more →

Friday July 18, 2014, 64 miles (103 km) – Total so far: 2,840 miles (4,570 km)

I have no idea why anyone would pay for colonic irrigation when they could just come drink the waters at Clark Canyon Reservoir. If you want to do a detox program, just use the water here. Normally, I hit the toilet last thing before I pedal off for the day. Today, it is the first thing I do. Everything is under control, but I’m wondering how long I can ration the city water left in my Camelback and the 16 ounce Gatorade in my water bottle holder.

The road gently climbs and falls as it curves around the upper reaches of the reservoir. The temperature is cool and refreshing. The air is dry and crisp. It’s a great morning to go for a ride. Read more →