Earthquake Lake

Picture from campsite on the Madison River. 

Cameron, MT 11,000 foot mountain within the range. 

Everywhere you go there are fishermen. This is a  Mecca for fishing. 

Montana is a very active area for seismic activity. In 1959 there was a big earthquake that created Earthquake Lake. Such a large chunk of earth fell into the river, it blocked its flow. Yes there were fatalities. You can see the earth that was moved. 

For Tom 

Stayed at a Warm Showers guests house this evening just outside Yellowstone.  Actually it a man cave for Bike travelers. It located close to the Continental Divide and Travis is always hosting bike travelers at his work garage. Hot shower, bunk room. Fully stocked kitchen with fresh milk etc.

Travis is a real trail angel. He travels the divide quite a bit and welcomes lots of racers. 

A thank you pic I sent Travis

Way over due for a shower and shave. 

Repair Day

Repair day. Ilene, aka trail angel picked me up at 8:00 am for a 2 hour ride to Helena for bike repairs. Ilene was heading there to service her bike and offered to give me and my bike a ride. Again, thank you Kathy and Ilene for your help! I hope you have a great (cool) ride this weekend. 

We arrived @ 10:00 and Cody was ready for me. The Garage in Helena, Mt. are the best.

 Fixed my bottom bracket and gave the bike once over. Thank you. 

We drove back and Ilene had me back on the road. Good to be back on the bike and proceeded to Ennis, a real nice town.

 For a total of 47 miles, a productive half day. 

Entered through Madison valley after climbing Virginia City pass. The picture doesn't show the beauty of the valley. 

Camping on the Madison River. Nice cold clean water to wash up after riding. 

Met Bill and Jeanne at the Gravel Bar who were visiting their daughter, Kristine who is the bartender while going to school. Bill is experienced at bike touring an provide good advice and great stories. Real nice family. Bill is 70 years of age but really looks 60 at most. Heading home to Seattle in the morning. 

Odd picture because we were having ice cream at these giant picnic tables. They are normal height. Bill is in the process of planning his next bike adventure. 

Tomorrow I'll be heading to West Yellowstone. Bill tells me I'm in for great ride. 

Off to bed. 

Continental Divide

Started the morning fending off Mosquitos. Had to put on all my rain gear to pack up. Wind and cool temps in the 40s they were still hungry at 5:30 am

I did get this sun rise shot while swatting.  

Completed Chief Joseph Pass and crossed the continental divide. Nice climb, views, wow. 

Okay, so I'm a light weight. Met Susan climbing a pass to drop back in to the continental divide solo!! Needs to carry 4 days of supplies. 

Suzan was getting eaten alive because she was going up hill at a slow speed. Still was smiling. 

After the Chief Joseph pass, I entered Big Hole valley - wow. Not possible to photograph. A valley with mountains 360 degrees, about 25 miles in every direction. A giant bowl. 

18 miles to hot springs soak

Arrived on Jackson, MT. Pop 50. Hot springs pool. Next service area 47 miles. 84 miles total for the day. Life is good, clean clothes, shower and hot springs. Lots of cyclist spending the night due the long gaps in services. 47 miles to breakfast 😓 lot of beast watching you eat. 

Trail Angels again

Woke up to 42 degrees this morning. Really thought about staying in the sleeping bag a while and wait for the warm up. One the road by 6:15. Leaving the vast valley, I was treated to cattle moo'ing across the prairie to other cows. There were thousands of spread out over hundreds of acres. Really cool banter. I wonder what they chatting about?  

I was prepared to ride 48 miles without breakfast. The metropolis of Jackson (pop 50) does not have a grocery store and breakfast started at 9:00. I did have one banana and a candy bar. I only had 2 climbs 😖 you learn to deal with stuff on the trail.

 Trail angel arrives .... On the second climb, 32 miles I reach the pass and there is a tent set up. We're in the middle of no where. Adventure Cycling Assoc. is running a multi day Montana tour and this was a stop. Being a member ofACA they said help yourself. We're talking bananas, fresh pineapple, Mona- potato chips, m&m's etc. I ate and talked for the next 30 minutes. Delightful. 

Cyclist crack. Has it all  - salty, sweet, peanuts. 

Can we get these in CT?

Some adventure cyclist relaxing the prior night - 

David, Ryan and Steven all with different routes. 

Steve with his 115 lb rig, pannier are off the bike for the night. Note the solor collector and Gopro. 

This family gave me the scoop on the town Dillon. 

Second angel today! Realized 5 miles out of Dillon my bottom bracket cassette was loose or damaged. Did I mention no bike shop in town or anywhere around.  I recall speaking to the family in front of the library, an employee of the library who took interest in my ride. 3 hours latter I found her in the library. Thank goodness for small towns. She connected me with Cathy who does lots of riding and is known in town. Off to her house and barn with all kind of tools. What a great person, I know she was busy but insisted on helping and she knew her stuff. 

After 2 hours we realized we needed the proper tools and Rube Goldberg would not prevail.

She took my number and within 20 minutes she connected me with her friend who is going to Butte, MT to get her bike serviced tomorrow.  Did I mention it's a 2 hour car ride. 

Ilene is picking me up at the camp site at 8:00 am for the ride to Butte. Cathy then calls the bike shop and explain my woes and they will be ready for me with parts. Wow. 

I pull into the camp site and all my buddies from last night are there. Setting up camp. 

For you Tom -

Hello Montana

Sorry for spelling errors and duplicate post. The Apple commercials make it look so easy .... it's not.

Happy Father's Day to all the dads. Mallory gave me permission for an extra beer tonight. 

Early morning climb over Lolo Pass, 5120'. Something special about the early morning rides. The air smells different, there are fewer cars, very quite and you see more wild life. Several deer and elk this morning grazing on the side of the road.  

  

Paul from England joined me for breakfast. He has a lot of traveling exp. with interesting stories. 4 trips throughout US, Europe and New Zealand. Hasn't worked in about 6 years. He's running out of funds and may have to start working again. 

Cyclist plates are alway clean .... waste no calories. He got all proper when I ask to take his photo. 

Met Tom from Trumbull, CT heading east to west which means he's 1000 miles from finishing.  He was riding a recumbent bike and loving the trip. 

Finally cell service and wifi. in Lolo, MT. It been several days and may not to get any better for several more days.  

New map today and new state. 

Now heading south with a big tail wind. Traveled about 29 miles on a bike path. Total for the day 91 miles. Heading toward Yellowstone Park. 

Foxwood Casino needs to be concerned 😳 tons of little casinos in Montana.  

Bitterroot mountain range are different and really majestic. I now get why they say, big sky. 

A day is not complete without a climb. Tomorrow is Chief Joseph Pass, 7241' they're getting higher. 

Mosquitoes droves in my tent tonight, that's a first. As usual, it's still day light and I'm ready for bed. 

Last stop in Idaho

Early start to climb towards Lolo Pass. All day was up. 56 miles of up. Magnificent scenery along the Lachsa River. 

Special treat today, stopes at Jerry Johnson hot springs. About a mile hike but well worth it. 104 degrees, crystal clear. A local person was leaving when I got there.... all to my self. 

9 more miles to destination, Powell a long ride. Over Lolo pass, 18 mile and I'll be in Montana. Now it's due south to Yellowstone. 

Lots of cyclist spending the night in Powell. With   no services for many miles, you have to plan your stops, this being a main one. Free space to pitch a tent and $5 showers, life is good. You quickly learn to appreciate the simple things like a shower and a warm  sleeping bag. 

No internet or phone service for several days. There was a pay phone but with cell phones I had no idea how to use. 

Disappointed to miss Ed Kost birthday party. Tried to call but no phone service. I was thinking of what a great resource Ed would be with his years of RV'ing. I'm sure he has been on these roads on the past. Happy birthday Ed!

White Bird Climb - 14 miles!

Left White Bird with a 13 mile climb. Treated to a fine view of the valley. 

In a very remote area at the summit there was a B&B. The horses looked looked real happy in the early morning sun. 

29 miles and I ready for my usual breakfast, pancakes, and eggs. The meat was a treat today. A little skimpy on the pancake!

Me John,Tyler,Chararih and Buddy  the dog. Real nice folks, didn't have enough money to buy gas to go to the top is the 50 mile pass, but didn't hesitate to offer me a fresh grilled Bratwurst. 

For you Tom - 

Found this camp site on the Lochsa River, perfect location to soak my legs and butt. Even with low snow melt this year, all the rivers have fast currents. 

The next couple of days I'll be on the Lewis and Clark trail. I am now see how difficult it would have been to navigate and deal with the Indians. 

Big day tomorrow, a 70+ miles climb over LoLo Pass. If I make 57 mile to Powell I'll be thrilled. This is the real deal, no services for 66 miles. I've packed a few extra cans of sardines.