Day 24

Got up early to say bye to my Dutch friends as I had no intention of keeping their supported pace another day. As I recall I did 60/60/80 over three days, today needed to be a little less intense, so did a book day at 57 miles. Not much less really, but they were doing 77 again, with a 7100′ pass at the end. 

I had contemplated staying a day in Lima, but really little there, so had a huge breakfast at Jan’s Cafe, grabbed a couple snacks, and hit the road late at 10am. 

Met cyclist Rick about 25 miles in, he was riding north, just doing the Colorado to Canada border. A nice guy, he gave me lots of good info about water issues crossing the Big Basin. I have the capacity to carry up to 8 liters, so I will be fine. Another retiree; seems like at least half the folks I’ve met along the way are…

Most cars that passed me either direction today were very courteous, slowing as they approached so as not to dust me too bad. I barely recall a truck and trailer passing me at some point… Well, more on that later…

I rode over reasonable grades of gravel road all day. To say the views in Montana are spectacular just doesn’t measure up. A gorgeous sunny sunscreen day all the way!

Eventually the dry valley opened into a huge beautiful lake, part of the Red Rocks Lake National Wildlife Refuge. An interesting history of its creation in the mid 1930’s to protect the nearly extinct trumpeter swan. The refuge took most of this area out of the hands of cattlemen, the dominant power in Montana for sure. Now the swans number in the hundreds, so basically a success story. 

Finally arriving at the small campground on the shores of Red Rocks Lake after a long and dusty 57 miles, I see a truck and trailer with a couple about my age sitting out enjoying the amazing view. I stay hello, and they remembered passing me; said they couldn’t avoid dusting me because I was cycling too fast for them to pass me slowly. Funny!! (Must’ve been on a downhill…) 

Scott and Lolita Pine from McCall Idaho proceed to offer me a cold beer, but I have camp to set up and rinsing off some salt and dust off me first. Eventually I get over there, because a cold beer is nirvana after a days ride. We have a great conversation, eventually the Makers Mark comes out, and finally they cook me an incredible steak, green bean, and tossed salad dinner!! Certainly the best dinner of the trip so far! They were happy to hear my story, and I theirs. What wonderfully nice folks!!!! They invited me for latte in the morning too!!

After a lovely evening with my gracious hosts, I said goodnight and collected all my foodstuffs, put it into the bear box, and now I’m lying in the tent, can clearly see a million stars above as the lake winds lightly buffet my tent… Despite very sore feet from the inadequately padded cleats, what a wonderful day this has been…

Day 25

Awoke to the sounds of waterfowl and birds gliding past my tent down to the lake. Another clear sky morning. Sure glad I got a new sleeping bag, though! Probably around 30′, not as cold as Bannack, thankfully. 

Walking down to the gorgeous lake, hundreds of ducks and a few trumpeter swans were easily visible. 

Scott and Lolita invited me for coffee, peaches and raspberries, and banana bread. Are you kidding me????? Wow, soooo very very nice!!!!

Marian from the next camp joined us, a retired USFW biologist from Bozeman. 

A seemingly short ride 32 miles to Highway 20 over Red Rock Pass at 7100′. There was a nice sign marking the Divide there! 

Somewhere I came across a very sleepy bunny in the middle of the road… And somewhere below there’s a picture of my McGyver version of getting my biking laundry near the heater at the rustic motel…

All was good until about 25 miles in and I lost pressure in my poor overloaded rear tire. Took me like two hours to finally figure out I had a puncture vs a lost bead seal from the rough road. Grrr… Anyway, put my only tube in and continued to Mack’s Inn motel to figure out what’ll be the solution ahead. I ended up calling Corey at 7 Corners (the shop that built my bike) to discuss the issue and determined that I will try to limp along with this tire and tube, and he’ll send a new tire to Pinedale where I’ll take a day off. Hopefully the tire arrives as planned and I can install it tubeless style without issue…

Now at Cafe Sabor having fajitas!! Yahoo!! Mild, but satisfying!

It should be noted I’m through Canada, Montana, and into Idaho; about 1000 miles, I think!

Another note: the photos look better on a real screen vs an iPhone. Just sayin…

Hoping for an early sleep and another good day of smooth vs bumpy miles getting closer to Mexico…