Day 50

89 miles

Despite getting up earlier than 7 it was after 9 before we all set out for the day. The ride started down a beautifully steep hill. There's nothing like a little pinch of adrenaline to start the day. The ride wasn't hard from there. It was a slow climb to higher elevations. I barely noticed the climbs. I was of course far behind the other three in my group. The gap was especially large because we didn't come to a town and store 34 miles. Our stops were usually only 20 or so miles apart. This doubled the gap. My gang was waiting nearly half hour before I caught up with them.

The town was on a reservation. The signs of poverty were everywhere. Aside from the very touristy facade that you encountered on the main strip the town was a bit rough. The main strip provided tourists with a sense of the west and set them up for the National Parks. Most people probably had no idea what was behind the souveneir shops and gas stations. We encountered a few shady characters that asked a few too many questions to make any of us comfortable. We were going to go to the library but rode past it when we were chased by some fierce looking dogs nearby.

We did however find a Post Office. Lily and I both shipped off a good ten pounds of gear. I was trying to lighten my load before I tackled the mountains. Also I was becoming aware of how difficult it would be to travel back by plane with all the gear I was carrying. I sent back as much gear as I thought I could spare and that would fit in the flat rate box I had decided to use. Incidentally, I saved quite a bit of money. The postal worker took pleasure in telling me how much I had saved.

We all ate together. We joked around a bit before I said my "I'll see you soons".They were still pressuring me to ride to them. I can't say I wasn't tempted. Nonetheless, I parted ways with the gang.

The sky was hazy. I heard people talking of a forest fire somewhere nearby. The was a slight amount of drizzle at one point as well. The temperatures were cooler as well. I had a goal of another 50 miles. This was a rather ambitious goal considering it was already 3 pm. But it wasn't long before I was climbing big hills and glimpses of the Rockies. Even with the hazy sky I could feel their beauty standing above me and all around me.

I rolled into a very very touristy village about 6 pm. I debated long and hard before deciding to continue on. I was worried I wouldn't find anywhere to safely camp before dark.
I must have had a tail wind because I thought the climbing would be much harder. In fact I honestly thought I was losing elevation for quite a bit of the ride. And before I knew it, I was at Marias Pass. I was at the highest point of elevation I would have to travel that day. I had been slowly climbing higher and higher for the previous two days. And suddenly, here I was at the Continental Divide. My fear of the rest of the mountains quickly disipated.
It was after 7 at this point. I was 25 miles from where I was aiming to camp. It would be dark soon enough. I talked with a mountain biker about the terrain ahead. It was of course all down hill. I rolled down the mountain at a leisurely 18-25mph. I stopped when I wanted. I took in the mountains.
I was glad I was by myself for this ride. I enjoyed some quiet moments of reverance. I breathed the air. I felt the cool air on my skin. I looked at the towering rock around me. I listened to sounds of nature. And I listened to the sounds of man's creation. A train clanked along the side of the mountains. The metal on metal echoed out and created a chorus that sounded like tinkling crystal. It was a beautiful song. I listened to it until the train had faded down the mountainside.
I felt a tear or two. I was overwhelmed with appreciation for the beauty around me.

I reached the place I hoped to camp. They were closed. But I knocked on the door to the home of the owners. They told me they were full up and closed, but when they realized I was on bike they offered me a spot on the far side of the campground. The gentleman told me, it would cost me though. I said okay. And he offered me the more than fair price of free. He reached out to shake my hand. We agreed on the price of free. We did shake on it. I thanked him and set up camp.

I talked to the owners adult son for a bit. He had the usually curiousity about my trip.

I ate a quick meal and settled in for sleep. I was filled with humility and gratitude.
Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here are a few thousand that I can't begin express.

The Rockie Mountains in Montana.

that sign always made me very happy