Today we rode 56 miles which should have been an easier day, but we were bucking a headwind. Highway 93 was busy with no shoulder, so we had a few close calls with vehicles. They like to drive fast in Montana. One time a large motorhome was coming at us as it was passing in the opposite direction. Another time a motor home blew its horn at us, when there was nowhere else for us to go! We were treated a quiet backroad for about 10 miles and the scenery was awesome! We can see the peaks of Glacier.
We are staying at the home of Charlie and Micayla LaChance and enjoying their daughter Sienna who is 3 and very verbal and athletic. Charlie builds mega-homes in the area for the rich and famous. We got to see the inside of one because he is the caretaker. It was the most incredible home we've ever seen! Then he took us on a boat ride to see the homes from the lakeside. It was a nice change from biking.
Their home is across from the Amtrak station. There has been a lot of activity because the Western Governors, including Arnold, are in town for the week. They took the train to Glacier today. There was a lot of security around including helicopters flying overhead.
Tomorrow we plan to bike into Glacier National Park to Lake MacDonald. On Tuesday we will ride the Going to the Sun highway. Bikes aren't allowed on the road between 11 and 4, so we'll have to get an early start. They say the passes we went over in the Cascades were harder than this, so we think we can do it.
We are grateful for all of the people who have helped us along the way, including our group of 6 guys. There does seem to be safety in numbers. Being in Grizzly country makes me a little nervous, but I think I fear traffic more!
Wish us tail winds and safe drivers.
We miss you!
Love,
Therese and Doug
Ohh....too bad we didn't drive home via I-90 thru Missoula and up thru Whitefish(which by and far is one of our favorite places.....). We came back thru the Idaho border crossing instead. Maybe one day Bernie and Doug will be riding thru there on another epic bike journey.......!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGlad your ride is going well.We enjoy following along.
Cheers,
Sandy and Bernie
Fernie, B.C.
(only 11/2 hrs. From Whitefish!!!!)
I fear motor homes and semi-tractor/trailers more than grizzly bears, too:)
ReplyDeleteHere's wishing for a strong tailwind today.
And wide shoulders.
And patient motorists.
I would be on that train back to St Paul in a heartbeat after encountering just one of those motor homes. But that is why I spend my vacation time at the cabin with a nice chair and a great book and you guys bike across the country. How have your meals been? How are your bodies holding up? Is it hard to get up in the morning? We miss you. Love, P&J
ReplyDeleteI was feeling pretty good about my bike ride to work and back today! 15 miles. No motor homes though. Ride safely. We miss you too!
ReplyDeleteThe RV's get less numerous once you are over the mountains. US 2 is pretty empty, I think the RV set head south to the freeway for the most part. The truckers we encountered were usually pretty good about giving room, but they don't slow down.
ReplyDeleteHope that the rebuilt wheel is holding up and all is well.
-Scott & Cayley
D/T,
ReplyDeleteHang in there. I definitely feel for you as you combat the novice RV drivers and the narrow shoulders. For years I've had the Going to the Sun biking poster hanging in my office and have yet to do it. I'm so glad you're riding that road.
The winds in SD are up today, mostly from the south. May the winds be at your back.
Greg
Glad to hear you are well and enjoying your adventure. It has been great to follow your progress. Stay safe. Mark has always said that RVs should only be allowed on the roads from midnight to 4 am!!! Maybe we should start a petition.
ReplyDeleteMark and Mary Ellen