RideTheLightning

Eatin’ em up in Montana

Just before our century ride into Idaho, we had some free time to browse our maps and check out our ride from Missoula to Ennis.  It was a serious moment of truth, to say the least.  Missoula had been the thought-of end point for the two of us and our little push to meet up with the others.  We figured Missoula = Montana, Ennis = Montana, therefore Missoula and Ennis had to be close.  Wrong.  It was to be a 280 mile push in under 4 days.  So thats what our battle has been, and so far, so good.  We’ve been hammering thru some headwinds, climbing mountain passes (the tallest that we’ve yet faced), and trying to figure out the newest of our elemental friends - the unshaded sun.  The Italian in me (thanks, Ma), has left me fairing better than the Aidan “the pastiest and the tastiest” Payson, who is on his way to looking like neopolatin ice-cream (he just needs some tan in there somewhere - the other two flavors are covered).

Many thanks to Will, for showing us the ropes in Missoula.  This here is a Rodeo - freestlye Kayak contest on the wave in Missoula.   It was full summer mode, everyone was out.   

After a slightly (or maybe more than slightly) unrestful Saturday night in Missoula (gotta celebrate with the Grads - it’d be rude not to),  

we managed to drag ourselves out of the woodshed, do some tiddying up for the boys, and head out of town.  On the road by 10:30 was quite the feat and we were impressed by ourselves.

But not before first stopping by our new found gem, the Dollar Tree. And with no sales tax, that means $20 for 20 delicious trinkets.  Wonderful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Onward we rode, feeling abnormally good for being hungover, dehydrated, and exhausted with an 85 degree sun cooking us all day.  We battled a vicious headwind at the end of the day, and grumpiness set in (it didn’t help that we were constantly getting honked at, flipped off, and yelled at by monster trucks, motorcycles, and mini-vans alike).  Camped for the evening just outside of Darby, MT- perhaps the most unfriendly town we’ve been through.  Aidan got a “donchu look at me like that boy” while riding through the grocery store parking lot, couppled with some serious mean mugs.  We were a bit on edge - tired, cooked from the heat, and not sure if we were going to get hate crimed that night.  We didn’t.  All still aboard.  Our campsite sat along the river, and we watched it rise as we cooked dinner.  Trees - still green and standing straight up - came rushing by.  We debated moving, wondered if we’d get flooded, but in the end, we stayed just where we were.

Here’s a photo of the aforementioned description I gave of Aidan…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scenery….

 

Wildlife….

The following day was up and over Chief Joseph Pass (also happens to be the Continental Divide, elev. 7241ft ), with an even more frustrating head wind.  It was nearly blowing us backward down the pass. 

We battled (successfully - though I’m not terribly sure what would have happened if we would have lost).  It was exhausting and sunny, so I had to make my own shade. 

As we came down out of the mountains, rounded a turn, we were spit out into a huge valley, surrounded on all sides by mountains.  It was typical Big Sky Country.  Aidan celebrates with a FigureHead Pose (a bit dicey with winds and a fully loaded bike).

We rode through cattle country the rest of the way to Jackson, MT for the night.  It is strangely awkward how intently the cattle watch as you pass - almost intimidating. 

We soaked in the Jackson Hot Springs (108 degree slime coated swimming pool), which didn’t feel that good with the outside temp still around 80. 

We got a late start this morning as we were waiting around for the Post Office to open to ship our first batch of stuff home - down jackets, socks, face masks, extra pedals, journals, and books!  And, we anxiously awaited to pick up out first General Delivery care package from the loving folks in Westford, VT (hi Mom! [and Pops too!] Thanks!).  No matter where we seem to be, without fail, the locals insist on telling us how abnormally wet or cold this spring has been (they then make fun of us for biking through it).  This is an arid valley. Clearly.

To begin each day, we go for a 10 or so mile warm up ride, greasing the joints and getting the cold morning creaks out.  We stop, stretch, eat, and do push-ups to get the blood flowing.  Its cross training, really.

We’re now sitting in Dillon, MT, after getting blown here by a sustained 30 mph tail wind.  Made good time, to say the least.  Had to do a little bit of Sailboat tacking to get the sidewind to push forward.  But hey, everyone’s got a little Capt’n in em…

Off tonight to Twin Bridges, then a mellow 45 miles or so to meet up with BJ in Ennis.  Then off thru Yellowstone.  Exciting stuff to come….