June 19 & 20 -2013

Rained Tuesday night.  Things got wet.  Raining when we got up, decided to take a day off and go to Missoula, Montana, and visit Adventure Cycling, which is the organization that develops the maps for the trip.  They support cycling and the development of trails, etc.  We also visited a bike shop and bought some more chain lube and some brake pads.  Since all of our gear was wet, we opted to get a hotel room in town and take off riding in the morning.  Stayed at a Howard Johnson’s.  Not the best.  A couple of police cars were there later in the evening investigating some activity.  Used the dryers to dry tents and shtuff.  Went to Ronald’s House, compliments of Tom and Patti Schultz.  Organized for the next day and went to bed.

Got up and began ride toward Lolo. Officially out of Idaho.  Still no potatoes.  Faced a head wind for the first 45 miles making peddling more difficult. Little chilly, but no rain.  We actually saw snowflakes as we were driving. Got to ride on a bike path for a big part of the ride.    Got to a coffee shop in Hamilton, population 4,500, Big Creek Roasting Company.  Rivaled Starbucks.  Got a Yellow Dog (Dawg).  Very good, cool mugs.  Got their website if someone wants it.  Were riding along the Bitterroot Mountain Range on or right and the Sapphire Mountain Range on our left.  Beautiful.  Made it to Darby for lunch and met Sue there.  Our goal was a city (?) called Sula, Montana, population 50.  A little out of Darby, we encountered road with no shoulder for about 6 miles.  Traffic was ok.  Got to within 2.5 miles of Sula when Jack got not a Fat Tire but a flat tire.  First one, at the 908 mile mark.  Not bad.  Jack changed in approximately 7 minutes.  Well, maybe not exactly 7 minutes.  Back on our way.  Staying at an RV Park again.  Had to decide between camping and a small cabin for the 4 of us.  It was already raining, so we opted for the cabin.  Of course, now the sun is shining.  But there is a chance of snow tonight.  Will be cold riding in morning.  Sue again made up a gourmet type meal enjoyed by all and then it was off to a wilderness trail to see wildlife.  We saw mountain goats, prairie dog, cows and horses of course (it’s Montana), and a deer.  Jack saw some Big Horn Sheep earlier.

Tomorrow, we will need our woolies.  Climb to top of mountain 7,192 feet.   Have at least 3 climbs tomorrow.  Possible shooting for 100 miles tomorrow.  Did about 75 miles.

Jeff, Jerry, Jack, and Sue