Rolling Into Montana

9/5/2006: Day 17, 27.1 miles; Total 643.1Miles

Today we awakened in Mountain Time Zone at Lee Creek Campground, just 5 miles inside Montana, still on US Route 12 just 6 miles down from Lolo Pass. When we awakened it was 36 degrees. I wanted to get on down early so we could have half the day today and all of tomorrow off. I think it will be good for both of us. I dressed in my blue winter cycling gloves, a black balaclava under the helmet, black polyester Duofold under shirt, a second light blue Capilene long sleeve shirt with zipper neck, orange and yellow safety vest, black bike shorts with chamois pad, green polyester long johns, orange over shorts, synthetic socks with stars and stripes, and a lightweight blue windbreaker zipped to my increasing beard. It was a warm and colorful sight on my fat frame.

It was 27 miles and a 1000-foot elevation loss to the town of Lolo, a major intersection of bike routes, where I turn south on Route 93 towards West Yellowstone, MT. On the way down I saw two deer and saw signs for moose crossings. Although the loss of elevation was significant, the wind resistance and the rolling friction of tire on road make pedaling still necessary. I was disappointed in that. I have surly learned that I can’t coast across America. But I did do the 27 miles in less than 2 hours. As I rode I heard an intermittent squeak from the chain system.

The TB met me at the intersection of Routes 12 and 93and we took the van to the city of Missoula, MT, some 10 miles north. We had a mail drop of my “Zero Degree Rated Sleeping Bag,” which I almost needed last night. However, after we picked up the bag, the Missoula temperature went to 80! Before we got to the post office we went to breakfast. The TB has gone 2 days without eggs and pulled into the first Denny’s he saw and ordered the truck driver special of 3 eggs, toast, bacon, 3 pancakes, and hash brown potatoes. I had a strawberry waffle. And he’s the one who weighs 140 pounds!

We went to the bike shop where mechanic Abe took the Stallion out for a spin and declared that everything was functioning well. He inspected the derailleur system, the brakes, and heard no squeaks. I had him check out the front wheel again as the weld in construction is not smooth. He like others does not think it is a wheel failure risk. I was also looking for fenders, as I’m sure it will rain sometime, although it hasn’t yet! Abe agreed with Scott from the Lewiston, ID, bike shop: fenders won’t fit on this bike! The forks are too narrow. However, for $10 he had a “water deflector” that fits under the down tube—isn’t a fender a “water deflector;” and showed me how my trunk baggage bag on the back will deflect the rear wheel water. So I’m satisfied that I’ve solved this fender problem and the squeak is a non-problem. By the way if it really rains, I’ll be sitting it out in the van.

Once we got to town the TB wanted to leave immediately. I wanted a room in town for two nights with a full day off. He said he wanted to be out of town. I just spent 600 miles of pedaling to get to town and he wants out! He said he was nervous about the driving, so I said, “let me drive if you’re nervous.” “I’m not nervous,” he said and he continued to drive, saying, “Since you can see and know where we are going, just let me know where to go!” What a TB I have.