August 5, 2014
I am going to start with today was a long day. We started in Dillon, MT and rode to the May Creek Campground. It was an 84 mile day which was productive, but it was challenging. We work up early at the KOA Dillon and had breackfast which consisted of pop tarts, hot chocolate, and peanut butter and fluff tortillas. We would have 47 miles of nothing, so I packed some extra water. We got on the road at 9am and our first 37 miles consisted of two 1700 foot climbs. The first climb was a fairly consistent 6% grade to the peak. I was tired, but I had a down hill and some flat roads to rest. THen came the second climb it started really easy, but with 3 miles to go the incline went up to 8%. It was pretty wicked and when you combine the two climbs, it makes for a tough day. It was crazy to think we were only halfway for the day.
After getting over the pass the wind picked up and it was a straight head wind. I realized this was going to be a great day. I focused on the next ten miles to the town, so i could get some lunch. I had an awesome cheese burger from the only cafe in Jackson, MT. I had another 18 miles to the next town which was Wisdom. I have been told for weeks to stay out of Wisdom at night. Apperantly, they have horrible misquitos because they flood irrigate in the valley. As a group we all decided to push on the exta 17 miles to the campground in the mountains and take our chances with bears.
the ride brought us into a national forest and the last 17 miles were beautiful. I seemed to get lost in the scenery and I was at the campground in no time. It was a back country campround with no running water and we were basicly shiting in a hole in the ground. It was a beautiful campground, but we had to worry about bears again tonight. I dont think it is as big of a deal anymore because we have been in bear country for so long. I am sure everything will be okay. Tomorrow is going to be another big day of climbing, but it will be the last day of major climbs for the next few days. Wish me luck tonight.
I am going to start with today was a long day. We started in Dillon, MT and rode to the May Creek Campground. It was an 84 mile day which was productive, but it was challenging. We work up early at the KOA Dillon and had breackfast which consisted of pop tarts, hot chocolate, and peanut butter and fluff tortillas. We would have 47 miles of nothing, so I packed some extra water. We got on the road at 9am and our first 37 miles consisted of two 1700 foot climbs. The first climb was a fairly consistent 6% grade to the peak. I was tired, but I had a down hill and some flat roads to rest. THen came the second climb it started really easy, but with 3 miles to go the incline went up to 8%. It was pretty wicked and when you combine the two climbs, it makes for a tough day. It was crazy to think we were only halfway for the day.
After getting over the pass the wind picked up and it was a straight head wind. I realized this was going to be a great day. I focused on the next ten miles to the town, so i could get some lunch. I had an awesome cheese burger from the only cafe in Jackson, MT. I had another 18 miles to the next town which was Wisdom. I have been told for weeks to stay out of Wisdom at night. Apperantly, they have horrible misquitos because they flood irrigate in the valley. As a group we all decided to push on the exta 17 miles to the campground in the mountains and take our chances with bears.
the ride brought us into a national forest and the last 17 miles were beautiful. I seemed to get lost in the scenery and I was at the campground in no time. It was a back country campround with no running water and we were basicly shiting in a hole in the ground. It was a beautiful campground, but we had to worry about bears again tonight. I dont think it is as big of a deal anymore because we have been in bear country for so long. I am sure everything will be okay. Tomorrow is going to be another big day of climbing, but it will be the last day of major climbs for the next few days. Wish me luck tonight.