Statistics
Distance: 64.4 miles
Average Speed: 9.2 mph
Hours Riding: 6 hours 56 minutes
Calories: Not available
Total Ascent: Not available
Total Descent: - Not available
I woke at 6:30 a.m. I took down camp and had some eggs
and sausage, as well as granola with yogurt, milk and a banana.
I started riding at 8:30 a.m., and got a flat at
about 8:38 a,m. I noticed more resistance pedaling and found my tire pressure
was low. I hoped against hope that the pressure was just low and that the tube
was not punctured, so I started pumping.
After pumping up the tube, it soon became clear that there was a
leak so I pulled over and turned my bike upside down. I started inspecting the
tire and pulled out a nail about 3/16 of an inch in diameter. Because it was
such a large nail, the self-sealing glue could not reseal the tire so I
replaced the tube. While I was working, a very sweet chestnut colored horse
came over to the fence as if to say hello. I greeted him and told him what a
good boy he was.
I rode by myself much of the morning taking photos. The road was
steep and desolate and I imagined bears around every corner. I ran into three
bicycle tourists sitting and having a snack. They were Samantha and Josh from
New Zealand and Joe from England. They agreed to have their photo taken before
I left.
I found Sean at the lunch spot near an old gold mining
operation. There was a wall like a retaining wall, for what purpose, I don't
know. David, Ton and Marga were also there. I had a turkey sandwich and some
potato chips. I also had a peanut butter and Nutella sandwich. As everyone
left, Joe from England pulled up and Sean graciously offered him some food; Joe
timidly took a Cliff bar.
I rode off with Joe; we talked about world politics and his
bicycle trip which is heading down through the U.S., Central America, South America,
and finishing in the Falkland Islands. He said that is the plan, anyway. He
said, "I have not done that much riding to date." He was riding a
road touring bike with racks and panniers and the drivetrain included a Rohloff
hub.
Joe stopped to wait for his friends and I continued with Marga
and Ton. At this time, my GPS started to provide me with bad information. I
know because it didn't coincide with the map or with other riders' GPS units.
That was concerning to me and the rest of the ride was more stressful as a
result.
David came back on the scene and Sean stopped ahead to give us
snacks and encouragement. He could not figure out what was wrong with the GPS
either.
On the downhill, it started to rain consistently. When we got
out to the main highway for the final leg into Helena, we put on more rain
gear. It was largely downhill, but I was wet so i was getting cold. We finally
arrived at the hotel at about 6:00 p.m. Peanut soup was waiting for us in
the lobby of the Holiday Inn. I talked to rob about the GPS but he was not
sure why it was not working. It turns out that it was the case for a lot of
people.
I was sharing a room with Norm on the fourth floor. I wheeled my
bike up and then I brought up my luggage. I noticed my face was red and I
assumed it was sunburned, which surprised me because I had on Bullfrog suntan
lotion which does not readily come off during the day. As it turns out, I think
my face was flushed. My pupils also looked constricted. I also felt dehydrated.
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