Heading out in the morning to points north and west. The bicycle is all prepped and loaded up. Now all I have to do is pedal it for 40 days and see where I get to. Hoping to make San Angelo(200 miles) in three or four days. Probably going to try for New Mexico first.
Five years ago I did 2000 miles to New York in 33 days, three years ago I did 1500 miles around Europe in 40 days. I have no idea how far I’ll get on this trip, it’s going to be hot and dry and I ain’t actually getting any younger.
At least the weather looks good at this point, highs only in the low 90s all week and the winds out of the south east which means I’ll have them at my back which is a big deal on a bicycle.Looking to make Fredericksburg or Luckenbach by tomorrow night.
Aint making any promises, I am only as good as my knees and back, but I’ll keep folks posted.
Tks, really hoping not to get run over. I ain’t one of those claim the lane guys, I ride the white line at the edge of the road, I got good mirrors and I’ll bail off of the asphalt in a heartbeat if I need to.
I take the view that if I ever get hit, it’s ALWAYS gonna be my fault just for being around traffic on a bicycle.
If you get lost and wind up down in the Boot Heel again, PM me this time. You could luck into a good meal, a comfortable bed and see some fine art work.
It’s really not that hard. Trick is to be patient and just spin along in a gear lower than feel “right”, as long as you can see that front wheel rolling you’re making progress.
Anyways as per usual it was nearly 10 before I actally rolled out the door, all the minor details that need doing. Only made it 25 miles before I was met by a southbound line of storm cells. So here I am at Paula Dean’s restaurant at Bass Pro killing time waiting for it to pass.
My bicycle trip metabolism ain’t kicked in yet, when it does you can eat anything and everything all day long, it just disappears into a void 🙂
‘Nother 45 miles to Luckenbach, the first 15 of that up the I10 access road to Boerne, which is gonna suck, especially in the wet. The storm cell looks to be stalled out just north of here, northwest to Boerne might take me around it.
1pm now, if I roll out at 2 that leaves nearly 7 hours of daylight to get to Luckenbach.
Good for you, Mike. Having spent a few days with you I know well you're comfortable and perfectly happy living a minimalist lifestyle. That one night in south TX after we'd both had far too much to be able to drive, you said that we'd probably get a few hours sleep. I figured we'd be putting the seats back in the car. Nope. Next thing I knew you'd laid blanket down in the dirt next to the car and were fast asleep...
No idea what the fishing might be like along your trip but if it were me I'd have fishing licenses, small tackle box, a sturdy rod and a frying pan along. Probably an onion or two as well. Have fun and be safe. Look forward to your reports along the way.
Good for you, Mike. Having spent a few days with you I know well you're comfortable and perfectly happy living a minimalist lifestyle. That one night in south TX after we'd both had far too much to be able to drive, you said that we'd probably get a few hours sleep. I figured we'd be putting the seats back in the car. Nope. Next thing I knew you'd laid blanket down in the dirt next to the car and were fast asleep...
No idea what the fishing might be like along your trip but if it were me I'd have fishing licenses, small tackle box, a sturdy rod and a frying pan along. Probably an onion or two as well. Have fun and be safe. Look forward to your reports along the way.
in all fairness amigo you are the only person i've seen use a pintail duck for a pillow to sleep in the bow of the boat, while crossing a bay with 3ft breakers during a norther.
I take the view that if I ever get hit, it’s ALWAYS gonna be my fault just for being around traffic on a bicycle.
Good attitude to have, it'll keep you alive. I know a guy that says he owns the right away over a car, I asked him WTF good does having the right away if you're dead........He hasn't come up with an answer yet.
Ain’t figured out pictures yet, that’s gonna have to wait for WiFi.
Only 50 miles today, lost three hours of prime time waiting out the storm. Rolled into Sisterdale on the Guadalupe River with two hours of useful light remaining, 15 miles to Luckenbach, but the sky said thunderstorms building.in that direction.
So I stopped at the bar and tossed down O’Doull’s like they was soda pop, shooting the breeze in good company. Camped out under a bridge tonight, high up above the flood line. I know this is Texas and all, but I hope this friggin’ cattle drive weather cuts me some slack until I can get to dry country.
Planning on an early start tomorrow, stopping short like this, it’s 75 miles from here to Mason TX.
Only one prick driver today, guy in a pickup on the Sisterdale road, two lanes, no traffic, wants to see how close he can get his mirror to my left shoulder, me already riding the white line at the edge of the asphalt. Guys like that never stop after doing stuff like that.
Ain’t figured out pictures yet, that’s gonna have to wait for WiFi.
Only 50 miles today, lost three hours of prime time waiting out the storm. Rolled into Sisterdale on the Guadalupe River with two hours of useful light remaining, 15 miles to Luckenbach, but the sky said thunderstorms building.in that direction.
So I stopped at the bar and tossed down O’Doull’s like they was soda pop, shooting the breeze in good company. Camped out under a bridge tonight, high up above the flood line. I know this is Texas and all, but I hope this friggin’ cattle drive weather cuts me some slack until I can get to dry country.
Planning on an early start tomorrow, stopping short like this, it’s 75 miles from here to Mason TX.
Only one prick driver today, guy in a pickup on the Sisterdale road, two lanes, no traffic, wants to see how close he can get his mirror to my left shoulder, me already riding the white line at the edge of the asphalt. Guys like that never stop after doing stuff like that.
Bridges north of town between there and Brady. The San Saba bridge is the best bet....
Good for you, Mike. Having spent a few days with you I know well you're comfortable and perfectly happy living a minimalist lifestyle. That one night in south TX after we'd both had far too much to be able to drive, you said that we'd probably get a few hours sleep. I figured we'd be putting the seats back in the car. Nope. Next thing I knew you'd laid blanket down in the dirt next to the car and were fast asleep...
No idea what the fishing might be like along your trip but if it were me I'd have fishing licenses, small tackle box, a sturdy rod and a frying pan along. Probably an onion or two as well. Have fun and be safe. Look forward to your reports along the way.
in all fairness amigo you are the only person i've seen use a pintail duck for a pillow to sleep in the bow of the boat, while crossing a bay with 3ft breakers during a norther.
You've seen me dead asleep in a canoe while you and others were banging away at geese in a south shore swamp, dead asleep in the anchor hatch in 5 footers tuna fishing in Cape Cod bay, upside down in the back of your truck with your brother and JJ heading to the lease, on the floor next to Petey's cage in your pad, in a dugout sand hole face down on Padre Island, with my battery-powered fan buzzing away in the hole with me. In a blind using my Beretta as a pillow in Salty's condo blinds out on the Laguna Madre, striper fishing in November off Misery Island in 30F face down on a beanbag on a self-bailing boat with 4" of seawater sliding me and the beanbag across the deck, in a layout blind in a muddy field while crane hunting together in TX, on DVD's rig twisted up like a pretzel while king salmon fishing lake O...Not to mention the picnic table at that bar after we hustled those cats for the bar tab at 8 ball...But yeah, I remember that trip. So much for Texas hospitality. I had to find my own pillow to use. That was before we ran out of gas passing the cut at Port Aransas and were adrift, I think.
Good for you, Mike. Having spent a few days with you I know well you're comfortable and perfectly happy living a minimalist lifestyle. That one night in south TX after we'd both had far too much to be able to drive, you said that we'd probably get a few hours sleep. I figured we'd be putting the seats back in the car. Nope. Next thing I knew you'd laid blanket down in the dirt next to the car and were fast asleep...
No idea what the fishing might be like along your trip but if it were me I'd have fishing licenses, small tackle box, a sturdy rod and a frying pan along. Probably an onion or two as well. Have fun and be safe. Look forward to your reports along the way.
in all fairness amigo you are the only person i've seen use a pintail duck for a pillow to sleep in the bow of the boat, while crossing a bay with 3ft breakers during a norther.
You've seen me dead asleep in a canoe while you and others were banging away at geese in a south shore swamp, dead asleep in the anchor hatch in 5 footers tuna fishing in Cape Cod bay, upside down in the back of your truck with your brother and JJ heading to the lease, on the floor next to Petey's cage in your pad, in a dugout sand hole face down on Padre Island, with my battery-powered fan buzzing away in the hole with me. In a blind using my Beretta as a pillow in Salty's condo blinds out on the Laguna Madre, striper fishing in November off Misery Island in 30F face down on a beanbag on a self-bailing boat with 4" of seawater sliding me and the beanbag across the deck, in a layout blind in a muddy field while crane hunting together in TX, on DVD's rig twisted up like a pretzel while king salmon fishing lake O...Not to mention the picnic table at that bar after we hustled those cats for the bar tab at 8 ball...But yeah, I remember that trip. So much for Texas hospitality. I had to find my own pillow to use. That was before we ran out of gas passing the cut at Port Aransas and were adrift, I think.
I wish I could sleep that easy. I have to clobber myself with an Ambien and have the bed made perfectly.
I wish I could sleep that easy. I have to clobber myself with an Ambien and have the bed made perfectly.
Come on out on one of our 3 day whirlwind cast/blast/everything else that's fun trips with us some time my man. I bet you'd be sleeping like a baby every night in places other than a perfectly made bed, without needing any Ambien.
I wish I could sleep that easy. I have to clobber myself with an Ambien and have the bed made perfectly.
Come on out on one of our 3 day whirlwind cast/blast/everything else that's fun trips with us some time my man. I bet you'd be sleeping like a baby every night in places other than a perfectly made bed, without needing any Ambien.
I wish that was right.
A few years ago I got a bad batch of Ambien and didn't sleep for 6 days. After about the third day without sleep, a person gets fairly flakey.
The first night of sleep after that 6 day stretch was like a gift from heaven.
Mike, if you wind up in the opposite quadrant of New Mexico from Ben, give us a holler! We'll buy/make you a meal, and I'll furnish whatever adult beverages you want! Depending on timing - we might even have a bed available!
I always used to sleep like a baby down in the cuddly on top of rods, reels and various assorted but lumpy gear when running offshore for tuna or salmon. Something about the constant hum of the motor coupled with too much alcohol a few hours prior made 10’ swells rock my drunken ass to sleep better than any other drug. I’d get up to set the gear and go back to sleep. Once the first “fish on” call came I was up and on it like any good, competent, dedicated, half drunk fisherman would be. I don’t miss those painful mornings.
Like Ryan from the “Office” said (paraphrasing).....ever since I quit drinking there’s something about the fresh morning air that makes me sick. 😂
I went out fishing in the gulf stream off the coast of North Carolina back when I was in my early 20's. The charter boat canceled out the first day because the seas were too rough. They were just as rough the next day but the the Captain was losing too many clients,...getting backed up,...so we went.
6 of us on the boat. 3 of us were violently seassick before we ever got out far enough to wet a line.
I've never been motion sick before or since. But it was *rough* that day. The boat was getting thrown around so bad that you couldn't walk around without holding on to something.
Laying down was the only thing that kept the 3 of us from retching.
3 fishing,...3 layed out like corpses in the morgue.
I was glad to see land come in sight again that day.
Mike, if you wind up in the opposite quadrant of New Mexico from Ben, give us a holler! We'll buy/make you a meal, and I'll furnish whatever adult beverages you want! Depending on timing - we might even have a bed available!
Tks Mark, in response to your prior invite Las Vegas NM is high on my list. I’d prob’ly be coming up from the south. Carrizozo, Corona, Vaughn.
What’s your estimate of mileage between available water (faucet, stream or cattle tank, I got a LifeStraw) along that stretch?
NO bugs at all under the Guadalupe River bridge at Sisterdale, no idea how this can be possible with the Guadalupe River and Sisters Creek right there. Didn’t bother with the tent just threw out a cotton sheet, slept on it.
And the inflatable pillow, always bring an inflatable pillow.
Put your glasses, flashlight, iPhone and Ruger LC9 w/nine round mag in your big ol’straw hat so you can find ‘em in the dark.
No thunderstorms either, they missed.
I brung a 32oz copper cup, filled it with a dry oatmeal/granola mix, added the quart of milk I bought six hours earlier (milk will keep that long easy) and ate it like cereal. If you do not eat fiber on these things, you might not crap again for a month plus oatmeal/granola digested overnight is my baseline fuel.
Four 24oz water bottles give me a 40 mile cruising range.
Could be 20 miles (2 1/2 - 3 hrs) to the nearest caffeine from here. Drop two green tea bags into a water bottle and wait about 20 min. Green tea caffeine is the best, gives a long-lasting lift and won’t burn your stomach like coffee often does.
Beautiful morning, damn it feels good to be on the road again
Leighton... never mind me sleeping on the dirt, I was more impressed with you walking up to a crowd of strangers and then winning (or at least being in the running) a beer bong competition, drinking their beer yet, and everyone applauding.
Good for you, Mike. Having spent a few days with you I know well you're comfortable and perfectly happy living a minimalist lifestyle. That one night in south TX after we'd both had far too much to be able to drive, you said that we'd probably get a few hours sleep. I figured we'd be putting the seats back in the car. Nope. Next thing I knew you'd laid blanket down in the dirt next to the car and were fast asleep...
No idea what the fishing might be like along your trip but if it were me I'd have fishing licenses, small tackle box, a sturdy rod and a frying pan along. Probably an onion or two as well. Have fun and be safe. Look forward to your reports along the way.
in all fairness amigo you are the only person i've seen use a pintail duck for a pillow to sleep in the bow of the boat, while crossing a bay with 3ft breakers during a norther.
You've seen me dead asleep in a canoe while you and others were banging away at geese in a south shore swamp, dead asleep in the anchor hatch in 5 footers tuna fishing in Cape Cod bay, upside down in the back of your truck with your brother and JJ heading to the lease, on the floor next to Petey's cage in your pad, in a dugout sand hole face down on Padre Island, with my battery-powered fan buzzing away in the hole with me. In a blind using my Beretta as a pillow in Salty's condo blinds out on the Laguna Madre, striper fishing in November off Misery Island in 30F face down on a beanbag on a self-bailing boat with 4" of seawater sliding me and the beanbag across the deck, in a layout blind in a muddy field while crane hunting together in TX, on DVD's rig twisted up like a pretzel while king salmon fishing lake O...Not to mention the picnic table at that bar after we hustled those cats for the bar tab at 8 ball...But yeah, I remember that trip. So much for Texas hospitality. I had to find my own pillow to use. That was before we ran out of gas passing the cut at Port Aransas and were adrift, I think.
I wish I could sleep that easy. I have to clobber myself with an Ambien and have the bed made perfectly.
You could do better if you quit watching all that stuff you do... vote right, and its going to fall the way it will. Regardless. I sleep just fine at night and about any dang place, but I admit thats after leaving a job involving politics that was suffocating me.
So I stopped at the bar and tossed down O’Doull’s like they was soda pop...
Maybe you haven't heard - that is soda pop.
Ya, and I can drink any man under the table.
Egad, 2 hours and 15 minutes to cover 15 miles to Luckenbach. Problem is with the Texas Hill Country is all the hills, slow you way down. My loaded bike weighs around 80lbs and you feel all of it in a hard climb.
Actually the Hill Country is the eroded edge of the High Plains above the Balcones Escarpment (fault line). Trick is to do it like I did, straight north, to get above it. Hopefully flatter terrain from here on in.
‘89 Schwinn Voyageur, tricked out with all new components except original frame, shifters and deraillieurs. 44-32-22 triple crankset up front, 12-36 nine speed cassette inback. Tubus ranks/Ortlieb panniers front and back. 700x35 Schwalbe Marathon Mondials (their latest high zoot tires).
Fredericksburg now, and all my flabby 62yo chickens have come home to roost. 45 miles to Mason, if I make it.
Day 1: Not 25 miles from home and greeted by three hours of southbound storm cells.... here I was under the Loop 1604 bridge....
No worries, Bass Pro was just 1/2 mile away
The rain that got inside my Lifeproof case did contribute a certain misty effect over the next two days that weren't that obvious on my compact iphone...
For example, north of Boerne, if ya didn't know about the moisture in the iphone case, one might conclude that God was actually a Longhorns fan...
Always hard to run out the door before leaving on a long trip, there's myriad minor details you suddenly want to take care of at the last minute, so it was 10am before I rolled, plus three more hours lost at Bass Pro. Rolled into Sisterdale, 50 miles along about 7. Fifteen miles to Luckenbach but the sky said rain in that direction, and my phone told me about random storm cells forming and rolling south.
So I used up daylight hanging out at the bar and set up camp under the Guadalupe River Bridge.
Funds used Day 1: $21 meal and tip at Bass Pro, $15 tab and tip at bar. $36.
I dunno how it happened but there were no flying insect of any sort, so instead of putting up a tent I just put out a sheet next to the bicycle...
The bridge lies at the meeting of the Guadalupe River and Sister's Creek. 175 years ago this was a rough neighborhood. In particular in two separate engagements not far from that spot Jack Hays and about fifteen stalwart companions gave Yellow Wolf's crew a hard lesson on them newfangled revolvers. Samuel Walker likewise received a pointed lesson about Comanche lances, and based on alla that got together with Samuel Colt to design a bigger, better revolver. Maybe too big, less than ten years later, with improvements made possible both in steel and manufacturing, the first practical (IMHO), affordable, durable and easily reparable fighting handgun was born; the 1851 Colt Navy
Fifteen miles to Luckenbach took 2 1/2 hours , glad I was that I didn't try it at the end of the day before. The operative word in "Texas Hill Country" is "Hill". My steel-framed touring bike weighs 33 pounds naked, add front and rear rack and four panniers; +20 pounds, add 40lbs of clothes, camping gear, bike tools, tubes, spare tire, laptop and water and you're looking at 90lbs give or take. Its geared low for climbing but ya still feel ever pound.
The Hill Country is actually the eroded edge of the High Plains above the Balcones Fault line. It runs in a long arc southwest to northeast. The trick is to ride north ACROSS it like I did and not west along it. North from Boerne to Fredericksburg and then Northwest again to Mason. Anyhoo, no food available that early on a Tuesday at Luckenbach...
So I settled for a $4 bottle of root beer (popularity and population has about killed the place) and rolled on 10 miles to Fredericksburg. $12 for a Jalapeno Whataburger with cheese, fries and a medium vanilla shake in Fredericksburg. Several cups of ice tea later I was still feeling pretty low, I ain't had the time to train for this trip like I did the others. Nothing for it though but to keep going. $3.00 for a quart of milk for that evening on the way.
2:30 in the afternoon leaving Fredericksburg, 41 indicated miles to Mason, about 30 to my intended next stop for the night on the Lano. Mostly climbing the first ten miles, but nothing my gears couldn't handled, fine smooth pavement, wide shoulder, tailwind, all good.
Three hours and thirty miles to the Llano. On a bicycle trip ya go from weary to feeling good and back again in a heartbeat. Seen this a few miles from the Llano, an old Aeromotor in operation next to a solar panel, interesting juxtaposition of technology, I wonder what them fictional Rangers McCall and McCrae woulda thought.....
Thirty miles in three hours, hills not withstanding, still feeling strong when I rolled up on the Llano....
Not wanting to start a debate, but I've been in a bunch of states, Texas can go full-on retard when it comes to public access and so it was here. I was looking down at a navigable waterway, I could camp on that river, just had no way of getting down to it, even for a price, it was all fenced off.
So now I was in a bind.
Nine miles to Mason but the 'net indicated no camping there and only one pricey hotel on the square. All I needed was a small patch of ground for the night, in bicycle parlance terms this is called "wild camping". Unlike many, I won't cross a property line to do it. I just needed a 3'x6' patch of public right of way for the night. Lots of places ya can do that without worry but..... did I mention this is Texas?
What decided me was I had less than a quart of water left, typically when you quit after a long day on these things to drink like a gallon over a couple of hours. Nothing for it but to cross my fingers and head to Mason, and water, and then maybe pay out the wazoo for a pricey hotel that I had no use for other than maybe wifi and a shower. Suddenly I was weary and discouraged again.
Get to the grocery store in Mason and... Holy Kshizzle! the friendly young lady on the cash register tells me cheap camping is available at the fairgrounds just around the corner. I grab a gallon of that all-important water and on impulse a half-gallon of buttermilk. I chug down the buttermilk outside the store (this is the "bottomless pit effect", common when bike touring), refill my four 24oz water bottles and head out.
Get to the campground, way-cool elderly retired Arizona State Cop is the campground host, White Mountain area. Campsites with electricity and hot showers just $10 a night. I'm pretty sure if I make it to Heaven, camping there is just $10 a night with power and hot showers
Day 2: 68 miles, 118 total.
Money spent: $4 root beer at Luckenbach, $12 Wataburger, $9 for peaches, $4 groceries, $10 campsite= ~$40. $80 total
I didn't get to train much for this one, after I crashed out any movement at all triggered paroxysms of leg cramps that no amount of Lite Salt mixed with Sea Salt would cure (a mix that gives about 2:1 NaCl to KCl). Ya HAVE to bring salt on these things. Dosing myself with this in a water bottle stood off incipient legs cramps back in Fredericksburg, and salt craving struck again at the Llano. So I weren't short of salt, it was just my legs reacting to being called upon out of the blue to pedal an 80-90lb bicycle all day.
Taking a day to relax and take stock of everything. In particular I'm carrying 40 miles of water (four 24oz bottles), a few days west of here it could be 70 miles between water, hate to do it but I gotta figure out a way to stash three more bottles and make my bike even heavier.
Anyhoo... here's the ol' homestead, an REI Quarterdome, only ever used on these bike trips, its been pitched from Texas to New York, England, Scotland, Ireland and France, and is now heading West. REI makes good stuff, a pity I can't in good conscience be a member there any more.....
And the Willow Springs Cafe on the square... great food at a very reasonable price, great atmosphere ......and free wifi
Don't stop to look for oddball feathered friends or you'll not make the miles you want
Stay safe,
Geno
Bell's and Hutton's Vireos kicking in the further west I get, still hearing painted buntings. Orchard Oriole, Summer Tanager, Yellow-throated Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo and East Wood Peewee all singing at the campsite, its getting pretty far West for them last three.
Ol’ Crockett Keller is a good fellow! Known him for quite a while. Btw, his Texanishe Deutsch is immpecable!!! Last I spoke with hime was about 6 years ago.
As best I know he’s still kickin’. Drew national attention a few years back
Ol’ Crockett Keller is a good fellow! Known him for quite a while. Btw, his Texanishe Deutsch is immpecable!!! Last I spoke with hime was about 6 years ago.
As best I know he’s still kickin’. Drew national attention a few years back
Ya know Bob, I was thinking you prob'ly knew this guy (the old guys who hang around cannons network ) but I didn't know it was THAT guy Hope he's doing good.
Anyhoo, on the other side of the river there was a sizeable RV/tent campground that was conspicuously posted "CLOSED, GO AWAY!" or words to that effect. The campground host where I'm at told me that place was soon to host some high zoot jet ski races.
Well you can always stay under the bridge there. When you get back I have a story to tell you about Crockett, the Llano River bridge ( he owned both sides of property on north bank) and a canoe club that tried to get irate with him and the state. But they just couldn’t. Its kinda funny.
I would drop back on the water consumption and start drinking more Gatorade. When I was baling 1,500 ac. of alfalfa by myself I couldn’t keep the AC going in the cab because of all the dust and chaff plugging the fins. Even with both doors and the windshield propped open it would still get over 95* any day with the sun out. I couldn’t carry enough water in the cab to keep me hydrated enough to ward off leg cramps. I started carrying two of the large (1.75L) bottles and drinking them and only kept 1 gallon of water in the cab. Stopped the cramps and my stomach wasn’t feeling like a balloon.
Best of luck! Stay safe and thanks for taking us along!
Leighton... never mind me sleeping on the dirt, I was more impressed with you walking up to a crowd of strangers and then winning (or at least being in the running) a beer bong competition, drinking their beer yet, and everyone applauding.
That takes uncommon talent
Right then, 7:10am, time to hit the road...
That must've been that other big boned wayward half-breed Yankee that you saw. My beer bong shenanigans ended in the early 90s, I'm pretty sure. Good for that dude, though. The locals were a riot and welcomed our squad in with open arms and shared their camp, their booze and maybe the best part, kick-ass brisket done right then and there and served up to all in thick, tender slabs between two slices of white bread.
I'm pretty sure this was the last evening we saw one another. Your on screen attitude seen is exactly what you're like: laid back and quietly taking in the scenery.
At about 3am the next morning, I dunno', some 6 hours after this was shot and after our little siesta, we struck north and you gave me a whirlwind dead of night tour of SA, highlighted by a 'open all nite' taco joint feast and a viewing of the Alamo before dropping me off at the AP. Good times. You still have that cooler I gave you--the one I customized with genuine crocodile leather hinges?
You only live once, and I admire a man that pushes off the way you do on your trips. May your journey bring you big smiles and wonderful memories, tomodachi.
Enjoying the tour vicariously along with ya Mike. Good stuff. I’m jealous that you had some good ole Fredericksburg peaches! Were there not any road side stands selling homemade peach ice cream anymore?
Of course I still have the cooler, tho considerably the worse for wear by now. Thinking back, they was prob’ly nice to us because we know Rog, in Corpus he’s like the rowdy nephew of the Most Interesting Man in the World guy.
Enjoying the tour vicariously along with ya Mike. Good stuff. I’m jealous that you had some good ole Fredericksburg peaches! Were there not any road side stands selling homemade peach ice cream anymore?
Indeed they were, but all on the wrong side of 290 and I was pushing to make miles. Prob’ly I was doing it wrong.
Thinking back, they was prob’ly nice to us because we know Rog, in Corpus he’s like the rowdy nephew of the Most Interesting Man in the World guy.
You might be on to sumptin'. Pretty much everywhere he's taken me down there people know him and show respect. That ol' boy is all Texan, but when he's got steel in his hand and his Mexican side starts showing, y'all best look out!
Thinking back, they was prob’ly nice to us because we know Rog, in Corpus he’s like the rowdy nephew of the Most Interesting Man in the World guy.
You might be on to sumptin'. Pretty much everywhere he's taken me down there people know him and show respect. That ol' boy is all Texan, but when he's got steel in his hand and his Mexican side starts showing, y'all best look out!
Yep. You don't tug on Superman's cape You don't spit into the wind You don't pull the mask off that old Lone Ranger And you don't Fugg with da Rog 🤠
Enjoying the tour vicariously along with ya Mike. Good stuff. I’m jealous that you had some good ole Fredericksburg peaches! Were there not any road side stands selling homemade peach ice cream anymore?
Indeed they were, but all on the wrong side of 290 and I was pushing to make miles. Prob’ly I was doing it wrong.
Gotcha. If your gonna be headed up towards Abilene give me a heads up and I’ll deliver you up some beer of your choice or Gatorade and water and food to your campsite.
Enjoying the tour vicariously along with ya Mike. Good stuff. I’m jealous that you had some good ole Fredericksburg peaches! Were there not any road side stands selling homemade peach ice cream anymore?
Indeed they were, but all on the wrong side of 290 and I was pushing to make miles. Prob’ly I was doing it wrong.
Gotcha. If your gonna be headed up towards Abilene give me a heads up and I’ll deliver you up some beer of your choice or Gatorade and water and food to your campsite.
Hey Tks, I’m angling NW, hoping to make Eden tomorrow, at some point I’ll probly hang a left towards Roswell if I I’m still running.
True enough. Rare exceptions are made only for those he has love for, and love on him back. I'm still finding odd single socks that my pup stole from him and stashed around the house...
First lesson was this morning, discovering the nylon pouch holding the LC9 and two nine round mags has been damp since there rain on Monday. OK I’ll fess up and, I ain’t been walking around in condition read on this trip. The handgun has been in a pouch in a pannier . Being heavy the handgun naturally gravitate to the bottom some water must have got in. Apparently Rugers ain’t like Glocks, the slide got pitted with rust, embarrassing. All the innards are still good And chain lube came in handy to oil down the outside.
Nother great breakfast at the cafe in Mason, great 30 mile ride to Brady TX across the San Saba. Stopped in a McDonalds to wait out a passing line of cells, wasn’t hungry had a small shake. Headed west for another 30 miles to Eden.
Whole different story; narrow road, fast heavy traffic, previous tailwind now a crosswind. Worse, the shoulder was rough chipseal, my bike soaks up vibration by design but chipseal slows you down, I swear some miles are longer than others. Four hours later I roll into Eden just thrashed, ready to fall off the bike.
Stagger into the little grocery store to buy the usual half gallon of milk, on impulse I grab a half gallon of buttermilk too. Chugalug the whole half gallon of buttermilk outside the store. Then immediately do the same to the milk.
Golly, suddenly I can ride again, another eight miles to a recommended rest area where I’m down for the night.
Tomorrow’s gonna be a challenge; 37 miles to San Angelo, even worse chipseal, no stores or restaurants en route.
First lesson was this morning, discovering the nylon pouch holding the LC9 and two nine round mags has been damp since there rain on Monday. OK I’ll fess up and, I ain’t been walking around in condition read on this trip. The handgun has been in a pouch in a pannier . Being heavy the handgun naturally gravitate to the bottom some water must have got in. Apparently Rugers ain’t like Glocks, the slide got pitted with rust, embarrassing. All the innards are still good And chain lube came in handy to oil down the outside.
Nother great breakfast at the cafe in Mason, great 30 mile ride to Brady TX across the San Saba. Stopped in a McDonalds to wait out a passing line of cells, wasn’t hungry had a small shake. Headed west for another 30 miles to Eden.
Whole different story; narrow road, fast heavy traffic, previous tailwind now a crosswind. Worse, the shoulder was rough chipseal, my bike soaks up vibration by design but chipseal slows you down, I swear some miles are longer than others. Four hours later I roll into Eden just thrashed, ready to fall off the bike.
Stagger into the little grocery store to buy the usual half gallon of milk, on impulse I grab a half gallon of buttermilk too. Chugalug the whole half gallon of buttermilk outside the store. Then immediately do the same to the milk.
Golly, suddenly I can ride again, another eight miles to a recommended rest area where I’m down for the night.
Tomorrow’s gonna be a challenge; 37 miles to San Angelo, even worse chipseal, no stores or restaurants en route.
Which restaurant? I've got 2 bothers living in Mason as well as my parents.
Dangerous ass Hwy from Eden to San Angelo. Be careful.
Also, if your heading towards Ballinger there’s one lane road construction from Miles all the way to Ballinger. You’ll cross the CO River if your headed that way. If your headed through PaintRock, the Petroglyphs are worth seeing. Ft. Concho is a neat old nicely restored pre- Civil War Fort on the TX Fort Trail in San Angelo And there’s a cool old bookstore on Ft Chadbourne Street that specializes in Texana. Kinda reminds you of Larry McMurtry’s bookstore in Archer City. Being the book hound you are, it’ll definitely be worth your time. And theTHE two places to eat in San Angelo are Zetner’s Daughter for a chicken fried and the Western Sky Steakhouse For Steak.
And Ft Chadbourne is north of it on 277. A friend of mine owns it. He has probably the best collection of Sharps Rifles and the 2nd best collection of Winchester rifles in all of TX. And one of the best arrowhead collections in TX too. His great great great grandfather was Commander and stationed at that Fort before the Civil War and came back and bought it afterwards. He or his wife usually help give the tours. They had over 100 sections of land at one time. I think it’s down to 30 or 40 nowadays. Definitely the best Fort on the TX Fort Trails, IMO. These were the line of Forts built pre Civil War to protect the settlers from the Comanche. But I’m sure you already new that! 😁
FOX Business Channel’s “Strange Inheritance” did a show on it.
First lesson was this morning, discovering the nylon pouch holding the LC9 and two nine round mags has been damp since there rain on Monday. OK I’ll fess up and, I ain’t been walking around in condition read on this trip. The handgun has been in a pouch in a pannier . Being heavy the handgun naturally gravitate to the bottom some water must have got in. Apparently Rugers ain’t like Glocks, the slide got pitted with rust, embarrassing. All the innards are still good And chain lube came in handy to oil down the outside.
At least being a Ruger, it’ll still work no matter how rusted. 😬 Put a little chain oil on it. 😁
Downtown Eden has a meat market of all exotic animal meats. Great place to get some jerky. Their claim to fame is supposed to be the exotic game animal auction capital of TX.
This is what you need. Go to the dealer locator at the top, and see if you can stop somewhere on your route and obtain some. It will solve your cramping, balance your GI and stabilize your sugars, and more. It simply works. I know. I’ve used it for over a decade when mashing peddles long distances or competing in endurance events.
You can add it to your water or make a paste and put in a small squirt bottle, and use it in combination with your water.
Have a safe trip.
You won’t have to stand up out of your saddle as much with this fuel in your water (body).
Load your body with fats: buttermilk, real butter, cheeses, fatty meats, etc, not carbs. Ditch the bread on sandwiches. Carbs are worthless, and only spike your blood sugar. What you don’t burn turns to fat. Unhealthy.
The “load up with Carbs” is wrong. Carbs > sugar > energy = WRONG
Fat > Energy = RIGHT.
High Carb intake is what is causing the diabetic epidemic in this country.
Your body utilizes energy better from fats burned for energy without the blood sugar spikes you get from carbs.
Do animals in the wild build up fat or carbs, to burn, to make it through Winter ?
Mother Nature has it right.
Man (Medical Industrial Complex) changed it to Carbs, to prosper from, after others get sick with diseases which being overweight brings on.
Got a decision to make. Hang a left into NM to the Ruidoso area and then north through Yellowstone to Great Falls MT - 1,800 miles from here. Desert in NM, big climbs and crowds in CO.
Straight north through Bents Fort, Fort Laramie, Yellowstone, Geat Falls - 1,500 miles. Crossing the High Plains would not bore me.
Be good if I could be done by August 10th, 43 days from now.
43 days x 50 miles/day average = 2,150 potential miles able to cover. But 2,150 miles not guaranteed.
Elk.... worse luck, all the buttermilk here is low fat
But what an amazing device a bicycle is that a) it can enable a 62 yo guy who can’t even run around the block to make a trip like this and.....
b) on it that guy can burn calories at such a rate that he can chugalug a gallon of a buttermilk/whole milk combo without any ill effect, and then ride a bike for another hour
Short 35 mile day today, checked into a motel early afternoon. I know there’s a lot of history here in San Angelo but the decisive factor was proximity to a WalMart .
I need to regroup and repack
I gotta increase my water hauling capacity, bottles or camelback I dunno and I’m thinking I need a new iPhone case, my photos keep coming out fuzzy.
Five days 215 miles, not great but not bad. I can pull it out this weekend to make a 300 mile week.
HWY 87 is a two lane all the way to Lamesa, Mike. Lots of hills & curves. I like that country. Pretty good ways between towns though. Lots of storms pass through that way headed my way. Lots of hail storms and not many places to stop for cover if you get caught out in it. The DQ in Sterling City is one of the better ones I’ve ate at in TX. Newly remodeled and very clean. Not much else there but a Stripes Convenience Store. Until you get to Big Springs, where you’ll hit a big Truck Stop at I-20. Be safe. Lots of 18 wheeler traffic on 87 from San Angelo to Lamesa.
Short 35 mile day today, checked into a motel early afternoon. I know there’s a lot of history here in San Angelo but the decisive factor was proximity to a WalMart .
I need to regroup and repack
I gotta increase my water hauling capacity, bottles or camelback I dunno and I’m thinking I need a new iPhone case, my photos keep coming out fuzzy.
Five days 215 miles, not great but not bad. I can pull it out this weekend to make a 300 mile week.
Did you get a chance to check out the old book store in San Angelo I told you about ? I finally thought of the name of it 🤠 And it’s on E. Concho street. Not on Ft Chadbourne street 😬
HWY 87 is a two lane all the way to Lamesa, Mike. Lots of hills & curves. I like that country. Pretty good ways between towns though. Lots of storms pass through that way headed my way. Lots of hail storms and not many places to stop for cover if you get caught out in it.
To quote a relative from years ago.... "Nothing hard is ever easy."
Nothing for it but to give it a shot is all. How'd they manage back in cowboy days?
Brady oughtta be a pilgrimage site for Texas Aggies and/or DDay affictionados. The courthouse with the Earl Rudder statue out front.
A road that sucks; 87 west out of Brady to Eden. Actually a decent shoulder but heavy chipseal, especially on the shoulder. Chip seal is paving created by mixing gravel with asphalt, its cheaper than regular road asphalt. On the road where its driven on it wears reasonably smooth, on the shoulder it stays rough. The steel frame on my touring bike soaks up most of that but it slows you way down. So you end up riding at the edge of the traffic lane and watching your mirrors. Only good thing is chipseal makes car and truck tires howl, of course I bail off of the road when that happens . Untitled
I'm enjoying the heck out of your thread. I see your bicycle has down tube shift levers. That puts it back a bit in time. My road bike had those shifters it got upgraded to Sachs Ergopower back in the day. What make and model of bike are you riding?
Do you have some sort of mirror to see behind you? I've used a mirror that clipped onto my eye glasses so I can see behind me. Typically I hear a vehicle, I look to see if it is giving me room so I know if I need to get out of its path. Ears and eyes, kept me safe on a lot of cross state tours. I think it was a lot safer 20-30 years ago before smart phones and idiot drivers.
Mike that Allsup’s food will kill you 🤮 Worst case of food poisoning I ever got was from a Allsup’s Burrito. If you pass a Stripes Convenience Store, their’s is a little better.
Think I’d rather have some Vienna Sausages and some Dorito’s. 😬
This is fascinating. When you finish, I hope you will post a list of all the stuff that added 50 pounds to the bike. How many spare tubes or do you take patch kits? Can you do laundry on the way? Can you keep tire pressure up with one of those little frame mounted pumps?
I always wanted to do something like you're doing. 87 degrees here and I averaged just over 10 mph riding 20 miles today. Of course all I take are two water bottles. Mild hills you wouldn' t notice when driving can be brutal. One minute you're clawing up a hill at 5 or 6 mph. A minute later coasting down at 30 mph. I use 20 of my 21 speeds. The lowest one is so low it's hard to keep the bike from tipping.
Worked out the water deal, i now have six 24oz bottles plus a 3L Camelback bladder. So now out here I don’t gotta stop where there’s water. For example I’m at the DQ in Stirling City now, forty miles/five hours to Big Spring. If I roll about 7pm I can cover two hours of that before I quit at dark Rolled out of the motel at 9am, found Ft Concho, the bookstore is now a cowboy boot place. Awful time finding breakfast, all the place had across from the old bookstore site was bagels. Ate four, rolled out at 11am.
Hwy 87 so far is GREAT, low grades, wide smooth shoulder. Paused for a 2hr nap en route.
I am happy to report that White people in Stirling City are still having kids. I am less happy to report they all bring em to the DQ about this time of day.
Two rules on a bike trip; never pass up an opportunity to eat and never pass up a bathroom opportunity. Eating a chicken taco salad with yesterday’s lettuce now. Gonna pick up a half gallon of milk on the way out of town and sleep out under the orbiting space junk, just like the cowboys did
Wide open Country between Sterling City & Big Springs. You’ll have an ample view of the sky tonight and good weather. Be safe. Truck traffic will get heavy when you hit Big Springs
This is fascinating. When you finish, I hope you will post a list of all the stuff that added 50 pounds to the bike. How many spare tubes or do you take patch kits? Can you do laundry on the way? Can you keep tire pressure up with one of those little frame mounted pumps?
I always wanted to do something like you're doing. 87 degrees here and I averaged just over 10 mph riding 20 miles today. Of course all I take are two water bottles. Mild hills you wouldn' t notice when driving can be brutal. One minute you're clawing up a hill at 5 or 6 mph. A minute later coasting down at 30 mph. I use 20 of my 21 speeds. The lowest one is so low it's hard to keep the bike from tipping.
33 pound steel bicycle, 20 pounds of rack and panniers (Orleib, spendy but the ONLY way to go), 30 pounds of stuff, plus toolset, spare chainring. Extra tire (folded). Five or six spare tubes.
TIRES: it’s like Shakespeare said... “Costly thy tires as thy money can buy”...... Schwalbe Marathon Mondials.... $80 per... uber flat resistant.
Big straw hat over nylon “Buff” tube headwear, oversized nylon UPF 50 fishing shirt, loose fitting pants of same material. Wears like iron, ya can feel breezes though it, hand washes in the shower, drip dries to just damp overnight. Extras roll up compact and weigh very little.
Brung a Lenzyne mini-floor pump ($70), will fit on the frame but I stuff it in a pannier. All aluminum, rebuildable, works fine. I check tire pressure once a week, 80psi will be 65 in a week, either one works.
I'm enjoying the heck out of your thread. I see your bicycle has down tube shift levers. That puts it back a bit in time. My road bike had those shifters it got upgraded to Sachs Ergopower back in the day. What make and model of bike are you riding?
Do you have some sort of mirror to see behind you? I've used a mirror that clipped onto my eye glasses so I can see behind me. Typically I hear a vehicle, I look to see if it is giving me room so I know if I need to get out of its path. Ears and eyes, kept me safe on a lot of cross state tours. I think it was a lot safer 20-30 years ago before smart phones and idiot drivers.
‘89 Schwinn Voyageur, only the frame, shifters and deraillieurs are original. Big ol cheapo Bell handlebar mirrors, one on each side. I watch em constantly, doesn’t mean I can’t get taken out. Per hour or per mile, IMHO road bicycling is way more dangerous than motorcycling.
Oversized Magellan fishing shirts in colors not found in nature is the way to go.
Life on the line, living and loving dangerously....
Second breakfast, its all about the calories....
Right then, off onto the High Plains. This place sure is tougher than going the other way to NY or tooling around the UK.
Birdy,
It looks like the lens on on your cell phone is dirty or greasy, or maybe scratched. If its just dirty or greasy, all you need to do is clean it with a clean cloth and your pics should clear up really well. Hope this helps!
Thanks to how wide the Central Time Zone is, usable light out here all the way until 9:30pm. At which time God arranged for a roadside picnic area to appear. Looks clean. Ordinarily I wouldn’t choose such a obvious spot to put in for the night but the roadsides the last two hours since SC have been rough and rocky. Only smooth spots were the concrete aprons of drain pipes going under the highway which could be magnets for critters of all sorts, many of which prob’ly aint condusive to a good nights sleep. There is one about 100 yards away where I could go if I need to crap.
Two 24oz water bottles drank in the last two hours, working on a third. Three left, plus 3L of water in the Camelback in reserve. 25 miles (three hours) to I20 and Big Spring in the morning. On 24oz bottle is soaking two green tea bags and a packet of sugar for my morning shot of caffeine.
Peaceful out here, just the frequent roar of passing trucks, a lit up industrial site about 100 yards away (other direction) and the friendly blinking red Christmas lights of the windmills on the hilltops all around.
Prob’ly just gonna sleep on a table, no skeeters so far. Not really hungry after the DQ experience and obligatory chocolate milk before leaving town. Might leave the 1/2 gallon of milk until morning, it’ll prob’ly keep.
I had forgotten about all the Wind Turbines our there. You’ll see a ton of those on the way to Lubbock. I’m pretty sure the road turns into a 4 lane north of I-20. I’m pretty sure there’s a McDonalds in Lamesa if your headed that way.
It looks like the lens on on your cell phone is dirty or greasy, or maybe scratched. If its just dirty or greasy, all you need to do is clean it with a clean cloth and your pics should clear up really well. Hope this helps!
It’s the case. Looked in Walmart last night for a replacement, the Otterboxes won’t fit easily in a shirt pocket or in my handlebar bag. I bought a $19 cheapo the size of my present spendy Lifecase but WTF when I unpacked it at the hotel it was just a frame and back with no screen protection.
Prob’ly I’ll pick up an Otterbox in Big Spring tomorrow.
I had forgotten about all the Wind Turbines our there. You’ll see a ton of those on the way to Lubbock. I’m pretty sure the road turns into a 4 lane north of I-20. I’m pretty sure there’s a McDonalds in Lamesa if your headed that way.
71 miles to Lamesa from where I’m at, light winds south to southwest. Certainly looks doable, but every day on these trips is a day unto itself. I mean, I could take a couple of them 2hr naps. Prob’ly wont sleep real well here, too obvious a place.
The good news is nobody has yet screwed with Scorpio, Jupiter or Sagittarius, and I just saw a flaming meteor break up, bright as a firework.
Breeze threatens to blow my straw hat away which is with my stuff n a concrete bench. I turn on a flashlight to go hang it on my bicycle and.......
.....in the short time I’ve been here an actual black widow spider, red violin and all, had built a web attached to some of my stuff. Ya don’t see that every day.
I checked for spiders under the table I’m sleeping on. Yep, but a kind of zebra striped orb weavers. Here’s hoping they are mutually exclusive👍🏻
Breeze threatens to blow my straw hat away which is with my stuff n a concrete bench. I turn on a flashlight to go hang it on my bicycle and.......
.....in the short time I’ve been here an actual black widow spider, red violin and all, had built a web attached to some of my stuff. Ya don’t see that every day.
I checked for spiders under the table I’m sleeping on. Yep, but a kind of zebra striped orb weavers. Here’s hoping they are mutually exclusive👍🏻
Straw hat? Appreciate sun protection but do you wear a helmet? Also I am surprised you don't wear biking shorts ( or maybe you do).
Straw hat? Appreciate sun protection but do you wear a helmet?
Hardly ever, and I ride most days.
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Also I am surprised you don't wear biking shorts ( or maybe you do)
Wouldn't be caught dead in 'em. Besides making everyone who wears them look stupid, can you imagine what that padded crotch pad is gonna smell like after three days on the road?O
This was me up from Texas in NY State in 2014, I still look the same now. Single layer of loose fitting nylon top and bottom. Doesn't accumulate stink or sweat, UPF50, gloves that cover the back of your hands, pants cuffs tucked into ordinary cotton blend dress socks. I rode the whole 2,000 miles avg. 65 miles/day, in $12 slip-on sandals. A whole month in full sun, no sunblock, never even began to burn.
The saddle is a Brooks B17, Brooks are the only way to go IMHO...
The cockpit, note the mirrors, and the watch. If you measure your progress in miles it'll drive you nuts, 7-10 mph takes FOREVER to get anywhere, specially when you're weary and beat.
OTOH 2 1/2 hours to Big Spring is doable,watch the watch, not the mileage signs.
For better or worse, these things are what West Texas looks like now....
Looking down on Big Spring, from just over the top of the North Concho River Drainage. In the 1840's that spring was the rallying point and the N.Concho Valley the route for the big Comanche raids into Mexico. Forty-niners headed to California used that same spring and brought cholera with 'em, resulting in an estimated 10,000 Comanche deaths that winter. That and a major drought in the '50's hammered the Comanches in this part of Texas.
Made good time, 25 miles to Big Spring in two hours but arrived tired and cranky. Found the WalMart, bought a phone case. Found the McDonald's so I'm able to post images here. Ordered a meal, put my head down and slept for an hour. 1pm now.
46 miles to Lamesa, six hours or less. 8 1/2 hours of light remaining. 2,000 ft elevation here, 2,900 in Lamesa. Doesn't sound like much but I can see and feel the sunlight getting more intense as I gain in elevation.
Gonna rest a bit and then mosey on over to HEB for water, a half gallon of milk for that evening and prob'ly a half gallon of chocolate milk to power my way en-route.
Thanks. I was going to suggest you post a photo in your riding gear.
I should add ya don't need those semi-functional clip shoes either. I ride on broad platform pedals and regular shoes or sandals. Actually I prefer Crocs because I have crooked broken toes on one foot, any sort of confined shoe pedalling and after a while they begin to hurt. Likewise I can move my feet around on the pedals to alleviate fatigue and knee pain.
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Is there a good blog site (like 24HCF) devoted to biketouring?
The original blog site, 14,000 tour blogs now, but archaic and hard to blog on...
A pity one Mohawk Indian guy took his blog off. He wanted to be the first guy to ride a bike from Michigan to Nunavit, the Innuit state up in Canada. All dirt roads, he had to carry SEVENTY POUNDS of dried food to cache on the way up so he would have something to eat on his way home. The black bears en route had never seen people. One time he stopped to take a leak and a big boar steps out of the woods, picks his bike up by a pannier and walks off with it. He had no weapon (Canada), what saved him was the bear tore into a pannier and bit into a pressurized can of mosquito repellent, the burst scared the bear, which ran off. I think some other Indians got PO'd at his unflinching candid take on the Cree he met, and he pulled the blog.
...and the best bike forum I've found, I learned a great deal starting out from the folks on the "touring" page. Over there I'm "Sharpshin".
A timely article. Riding across rural Texas, in the last five days I have seen exactly five turkey vultures and NO raptors of any sort this side of Fredericksburg.
Don't stop to look for oddball feathered friends or you'll not make the miles you want
Stay safe,
Geno
Bell's and Hutton's Vireos kicking in the further west I get, still hearing painted buntings. Orchard Oriole, Summer Tanager, Yellow-throated Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo and East Wood Peewee all singing at the campsite, its getting pretty far West for them last three.
Looking down on Big Spring, from just over the top of the North Concho River Drainage.
Looks like you're having fun.
But us true westerners smile at your statement of "Looking down on Big Springs".
Where's the hill? Looks awfully flat (like all the parts of W TX I've ever seen except that down by El Paso) to someone who has over 900' elevation change out that back, within a mile of their house.
Just jokin' with ya'. Thanks for the pics and updates.
Planning to roll out of Big Spring by 2, seven and half hours of daylight to cover 45 miles. It’s hot, roads are bad lots of traffic, grocery store is packed. I replace my water, buy a half gallon of chocolate milk to drink en route, half gallon of milk for the evening. Roll out at three, glad to get clear of that place.
Twelve miles later I get a flat, in the front which is unusual. No biggie, a 20 minute job tops. The usual suspect; a bit of wire from a retread. I got five spare tubes, in fact it’s a nice change of place despite the heat. Two Harley guys pull up, we get to talking. A twenty minute job becomes a hour of conversation. They roll so do I, four spare tubes left.
WTF, 200 yards later a blowout, up front, OK, maybe I got distracted and pinched a tube, replace it and on my way, three spare tubes left.
A mile along and.... it happens again. Nothing wrong with the tire just cheap thin tubes from Academy, maybe I got a bad run.
OK, I’m down to two spare tubes, clearly the rim/tire/tube combination ain’t working. I’m carrying a folded up spare tire of a diffent make. Bingo! This one works. But just as I get it up to pressure WTF? The pump head breaks. This is a premium pump, they don’t break, but this one just did.
Questionable tube, no way to fix a flat. In these parts Walmart is the bike shop. I can get tubes and a pump there. Closest one was back to Big Spring, 12 miles. Next closest was the direction I want to go. Seminole TX, 75 miles.
Hey, if it’ll roll 12 it’ll roll 75. I cover 37 miles to Lamesa TX in three hours, pulling off a 70 mile day (345 miles total) 😎
Checked into a motel. Gonna use the WiFi and my compact laptop to plan the next week.
Wish me luck on the 40 to Seminole tomorrow, I could be across the State line before dark.
Dang. Sounds like a frustrating day! Hope you have better luck on your next leg of the trip. Haven’t been to Seminole in YEARS. Don’t remember what the heck is there. 🤠.
The saddle is a Brooks B17, Brooks are the only way to go IMHO...
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Birdwatcher,
When convenient, could you post a closer picture of your saddle? Perhaps it is just a reflection, but your saddle looks more "sway backed" than the B17 Saddles I see online which are pretty flat when viewed in side profile. Like this:
Is that a result of breaking it in? I see suggestions (by Brooks and others) that one should treat a new leather saddle with some kind of treatment, and that a lot of breaking in can be required.
I hesitate to buy such an expensive saddle if instead it is my ass that gets broken rather than the saddle broken in!
If you don't mind another question... I see Brooks has quite a number of saddles on their WEBPAGE
Which model would you recommend? I suspect the B17 you mention must be a good choice for many folks since the company has been selling that model for about 120 years...
Them two Harley riders that pulled up wanted to talk to me about Jesus. I guess that could be real helpful when it’s 100+ on the asphalt and you’re changing a freaking flat tire. Problem is when you look homeless people think you are homeless and therefore in need of Jesus.
Anyways we got off that pretty quick and started to talk about motorcycles. They were just getting back from a trip to the hill country which means pretty much we were headed in the same direction. They were all proud because they had just done 1000 miles weekend.
Naturally the topic drifted towards flat tires, mag wheels on both those bikes, tubeless tires, neither of those guys had so much as a tire rivet/CO2 repair kit. I asked them what they were going to do if they had a flat, their answer was call the Harley shop
What kind of maroon leaves on a cross-country trip without the slightest idea of how to fix a flat on their motorcycle?
I didn’t think of it at the time but they weren’t using earplugs either, damn, I coulda saved their hearing 20 years down the line.
Questionable tube, no way to fix a flat. In these parts Walmart is the bike shop. I can get tubes and a pump there. Closest one was back to Big Spring, 12 miles. Next closest was the direction I want to go. Seminole TX, 75 miles
You can order and ship gear to a post office ahead of your arrival. The PO will generally hold packages for 30-days, but it's best to do a little set-up and confirm in advance.
Questionable tube, no way to fix a flat. In these parts Walmart is the bike shop. I can get tubes and a pump there. Closest one was back to Big Spring, 12 miles. Next closest was the direction I want to go. Seminole TX, 75 miles
You can order and ship gear to a post office ahead of your arrival. The PO will generally hold packages for 30-days, but it's best to do a little set-up and confirm in advance.
Browsing the net there’s bike shop three days away in Roswell, and if I can climb the 70 miles to Capitan from there where good friends live, I can re-equip in Ruidoso.
Questionable tube, no way to fix a flat. In these parts Walmart is the bike shop. I can get tubes and a pump there. Closest one was back to Big Spring, 12 miles. Next closest was the direction I want to go. Seminole TX, 75 miles
You can order and ship gear to a post office ahead of your arrival. The PO will generally hold packages for 30-days, but it's best to do a little set-up and confirm in advance.
Browsing the net there’s bike shop three days away in Roswell, and if I can climb the 70 miles to Capitan from there where good friends live, I can re-equip in Ruidoso.
Say hi to Dexter NM for me. You're going to have a great ride and scenery from Roswell up the hill.
You are gonna have to hurry your ass off to make the Hi Line by snowfall....
Right now its Great Falls or bust, whichever comes first, via Capitan NM, Las Vegas NM, Walden CO, and Old Faithful.
I seen photos of where you live, it look just like where I am except with grass and soil and stuff.
Where does the Hi Line start?
Damn Mike. Capitan, NM is a long ass DRIVE for me! Can’t imagine on a bike. You’ll be near Billy The Kid’s old stomping grounds. Lincoln & Tularosa. Lincoln being where he escaped jail and hanging. I think he killed some folks in Tularosa. 🤠
Mike, watch the water, you need to eat some food with all that water. when you first start out (takes about 2 weeks) your body will be dumping tons of salt OUT in your sweat. After about 2 weeks, your body figures it out and preserves the salt in the body, sweats mostly water then, much less salt.
maybe living in house without AC, you are acclimated.
too much water will lower your sodium, no joke, can be life threatening.
Rolled into Lamesa late, stayed in a motel. The next morning I got on Google maps and surveyed possible routes, ate and finally left town headed west at about 1130. No biggie, 40 miles to Seminole, 70 miles to hatch New Mexico, doable in a day .
But holy crap getting up onto the High Plains I was finally catching some altitude, and not even big altitude, maybe a little over 3000 feet. Sunlight more intense humidity way low, The first time I encountered a condition I’ll call parching. Dry mouth dry throat moments after drinking water, I expect it to be hot but it was friggin hot. Three hours into it I came by a rare stand of trees by the roadside I took a 30 minute nap, that helped.
Rolled into Seminole at last about five, this place is like the Stepford wives except with Mennonites. Found at the Walmart it has the same kind of cheap tubes that I had been using but I picked up replacements.
I still had two hours left to make a run for the Stateline but I was whupped. Checked into a motel to think and take stock.
I’m thinking if I go the way I’m going into central New Mexico and then north through Colorado I’m going to get bogged down in the hills, altitude and heat. Doesn’t help that if I head for Artesia NM I’ll be facing directly into a stout west wind both days I can get transportation home from anywhere on this route but I really want to get up north and I really want to go through Yellowstone.
This is my last chance to hang a left here and head north up the plains instead. Lubbock is just 80 miles in two days away but I would hit there on July 4 and lose yet another day waiting for the bike stores to open. Amarillo is two hundred miles away, long enough for me to order stuff and have it there when I arrive.
Going the Plains route I could hit Bent’s Fort on the Arkansas which is of interest to me, avoid the cities and head up to Colorado planes to Fort Laramie and then on into Wyoming . I’d still be facing a 9000 foot pass getting into the southside of Yellowstone but that would be hundreds of miles north of here with less sun and less heat.
Gotta decide today, in the meantime I’m gonna drop by the Post Office to mail home some tools, spare parts and extra clothes, that will free up a little bit of space and a smidgen of weight.
This is how I’m dressed, like a gay roofer. That single layer of nylon works real good in the sun and heat when it’s humid, but dries too quick up here, I have heard Cotton is the way to go. Gonna look for a cotton shirt today.
as to the salt thing, in the 70's we use to take salt tablets to go with a gallon or so of water leaking out. I remember my pants being white from the salt leaching out. an old friend of mine who probably by hand did about 300 bags of concrete in his back yard, would drink ice water with a teaspoon of salt in it to keep in from all being leached out. it can be a life endangering situation.
Ya, I brung a mix of sea salt and Lite Salt (50% Na Cl, 50% KCl) mixed to a ballpark of 2:1 sodium to potassium chlorides, what they put in rehydration packages. So I'm well set up for salt.
...My steel-framed touring bike weighs 33 pounds naked, add front and rear rack and four panniers; +20 pounds, add 40lbs of clothes, camping gear, bike tools, tubes, spare tire, laptop and water and you're looking at 90lbs give or take...
Originally Posted by Birdwatcher
...left town...about 1130...
Couple suggestions: Lighten the load. Leave earlier, before the heat of the day sets in.
In the south we would start about 2 hours after sunset and go until sunrise. It was a lot cooler at night.
It would be damn scary traveling those two lane roads at night on a bicycle the way traffic is nowadays. 😳 Not to mention all the great scenery you’d miss.
Hey Mike, I am in Denver metro... if you pass within a 100 miles I can get you parts and stuff as a good friend owns a bike shop <grin>
Give a heads up here if that would work.
Ya got lite salt and powdered chocolate milk with ya?
God willing, ten - fourteen days or so. Lite salt? Ever since ya told me five-six years ago ain't been without it Chocolate milk, I use the liquid form but only full fat.
Well I got it done It was bugging me to come just 25 miles from the NM line and turn away, but all day there was a storm cell training between here and there. I had given up but coming out of Walmart at 3:30 I checked and the cell had dissipated at last.
50 mile round trip in four hours and ten minutes, which is what can happen when your hauling only a few groceries and not four bags full of depleted uranium
Ya, what other device would allow guys in their sixties victories like that? I just rode 400+ friggin miles from my front door through the heart of Comancheria clear to New Mexico.
The guy who invented the “safety bicycle” design should be dug up and awarded the Nobel Prize
Ya, what other device would allow guys in their sixties victories like that? I just rode 400+ friggin miles from my front door through the heart of Comancheria clear to New Mexico.
The guy who invented the “safety bicycle” design should be dug up and awarded the Nobel Prize
Good thing there were no Comanches around to chase ya! 😜
Sir, with an answer like that I guessing you’re all about helmets, those silly spadex outfits, and those horrible crotch pad shorts that after just a couple of days on the road let EVERYBODY anywhere you stop know exactly how yer sweaty a$$ crack and crotch smells.
I ain’t gonna argue with the helmet but I am at a loss to know how to lighten my bicycle. 33 pounds gets you a wonderfully compliant steel frame that just soaks up chipseal vibes.
Ortleib panniers rock 😎 mine have been in daily commuting use for five years and 10,000 plus miles with nary a bobble. Likewise the top-of-the-line Tubus racks. But that combo does come in at about 20lbs.
Two gallons of water out here is nonnegotiable, add another 16lbs. So I’m at 70lbs BEFORE I start adding tent, bag, clothes, tools etc. If you got any ideas, I’m all ears
Quote
Leave earlier, before the heat of the day sets in.
Tks Captain Obvious Point of fact my best days ever have always started late morning, ride ‘till dark. I don’t even bother checking the forecast for temps anymore. I just assume it’s gonna be hot above the asphalt. Water, salt, calories and breaks as needed.
My single best day like this was 96 miles, noontime ‘till dark, when crossing Ohio in July of 2016. 90lb bike. Had I known how close a “Century” was I woulda pushed on another four miles.
Now that I’m getting the hang of it on this particular occasion I’m gonna shoot for 70 mile days next week.
Leave earlier, before the heat of the day sets in.
Tks Captain Obvious...my best days ever have always started late morning...
Originally Posted by pal
Couple suggestions: Lighten the load.
Sir, with an answer like that I guessing you’re all about helmets, those silly spadex outfits, and those horrible crotch pad shorts...If you got any ideas, I’m all ears
OK, instead of thinking up insulting responses, try actually listening to advice offered to help.
90 lbs of loaded bicycle? Waiting until 11:00 a.m. to begin crossing a desert? Come on! Use your head.
Mr. pal: I would submit that Birdie knows a heck of a lot more about what he is doing than you. Remember, he rode from Tx. to NY and a considerable number of miles in Europe with pretty much the same outfit. I myself ride a 50 pound Pashley that is not near affected by wind as a many pound lighter bike, remember this is not the TOF.
I did not find his response insulting, but I did see your post as coming from a condescending, self-righteous, know-it-all-prick, to be not only rude but inappropriate, targeted toward derailing this wonderful thread.
If you are dressed correctly and have the water, desert heat is not something to be terrified of, I am from the Deming, Lordsburg, Rodeo, Hachita, NM area where I have worked and played outside all my life so I feel I may know a bit about the desert.
The Birdwatcher is taking the time to keep us up to date and post pictures of an epic journey, he does not need the drivel that you posted. Sir, you should apologize to the Birdwatcher and then stay off of this thread.
OK, instead of thinking up insulting responses, try actually listening to advice offered to help.
90 lbs of loaded bicycle? Waiting until 11:00 a.m. to begin crossing a desert? Come on! Use your head.
Sir, if you are a bicycle guy the tone of your responses strongly suggests you are one of those guys who self-righteously holds up traffic while dressed like a homosexual bondage submissive because after all, you’re riding fifty miles and that’s SERIOUS.
Or maybe not......
But here’s the deal, heavy as it is, steel is still the favored material for touring bikes because of the way it soaks up road vibration. And the rack/pannier combination I use is top of the line, likewise for a reason. So heavy touring bikes are common, it’s on hills where you feel it.
Dressed for the sun I’ve never worried much about the time of day. I picked up a 3X 100% cotton sports shirt to try out here nd have it on over my usual getup and I’m happy to report that here in the arid West, a heavy cotton overshirt keeps you much cooler in the sun.
OK, instead of thinking up insulting responses, try actually listening to advice offered to help.
90 lbs of loaded bicycle? Waiting until 11:00 a.m. to begin crossing a desert? Come on! Use your head.
Sir, if you are a bicycle guy the tone of your responses strongly suggests you are one of those guys who self-righteously holds up traffic while dressed like a homosexual bondage submissive because after all, you’re riding fifty miles and that’s SERIOUS.
Or maybe not......
But here’s the deal, heavy as it is, steel is still the favored material for touring bikes because of the way it soaks up road vibration. And the rack/pannier combination I use is top of the line, likewise for a reason. So heavy touring bikes are common, it’s on hills where you feel it.
Dressed for the sun I’ve never worried much about the time of day. I picked up a 3X 100% cotton sports shirt to try out here nd have it on over my usual getup and I’m happy to report that here in the arid West, a heavy cotton overshirt keeps you much cooler in the sun.
Gee, you think them AyRabs might have figured out something about loose fitting cotton (/goat/camel wool even?) garments in the desert?
Enjoy your ride today Birdie. Looking forward to your evening posts with pics.
Geno
PS a few years back pal seemed like a nice enough fellow in some PM's we had. Perhaps he's just looking at things from a different perspective?
Rolled out of Seminole about 10:30, gotta be at the bike shop in Amarillo (198 miles) on Saturday was looking to make time. Part way along I learn that a good friend, one of the very people I’m headed to visit in Montana was STILL at Texs Tech 😎
So that became my destination for tonight, tho I gotta say the last seven miles thru Lubbock was tough. The wildlife preserves full of prairie dogs and herds of jackrabbits were interesting tho, details to follo.
OK, my degree of bicycle studlyness has already been demonstrated, I rode my bike to New Mexico. Enough people are impressed, I have a story to tell the kids when school opens up.
The guy up in Great Falls Montana where I am headed was the best man at my wedding, we are like family. I wasn’t originally planning to ride to Lubbock, I didn’t know his wife would still be here. But she is ( finishing up a six-week course).
She will be done Saturday morning, we both could be in Great Falls Sunday morning July 7th, I would have 30 days left to start over and do a 1,000 - 2,000 mile loop (depending on terrain and my ability to traverse it).based out of Great Falls,
So I gotta decide....
a) Stay the present course to be able to say “Ya, I rode my bike all the way to fuggin’ Yellowstone.”
Or.....
b) Help my friend’s wife on the thousand-mile drive home, be in Great Falls Sunday, start over.
My friend’s wife would much prefer I help her drive back.
Birdwatcher, you're 8 years older than you were when you made your first long distance bicycle trip and 3 years older than your last.
You also mentioned in and earlier post that you hadn't prepared in advance for this trip as well as you had the previous two.
From following your comments on this thread compared to those of your two previous trips, to me you aren't sounding nearly as upbeat and confident as you were on the past trips and especially not this early on in the trip.
Just my view as an outsider looking in and not meant to be a criticism nor judgemental.
Best of luck and health what ever you decide to do.
Chivalry should rule the day. I know it's old fashioned, but your good friend's wife needs help and that's a long drive for a lady on her own. You can complete your trip on the return and no one will think less of you for it...at least no one who matters.
Good luck and following winds, whichever you decide.
yeah, if a friend really needed my help that would take priority.
Yah, this whole set-up is such an unlikely coincidence that, in addition to the above consideration, Jesus clearly WANTS me to drive to Montana
Anyhoo.... I spent two nights in Seminole TX, which I thought going in was BFE if there ever was one, but came away impressed.
First off, I give this place two thumbs up, $50 per night, AC works, free wifi works, the hot water works really well, and these old places all still have bathtubs Cold adult beverages available at the gas station right across the street.
The Fire Department, where they clearly don't GAF if Betsy Ross offends you....
Same thing at the Post Office, also flying an MIA flag.....
Here's what I ditched and mailed home to myself. 1) Shirt that blends in, blending in ain't whats it about on these things. 2) Bear spray, how was I gonna know I would be in Montana in just a few days. 3) Knife (Mora}, already got a pretty good blade on my Leatherman. 3) Cone wrenches to adjust the wheel hubs, got a little buyers remorse about sending off those 4) Extra chainrings and the tools to switch 'em out. Chance of getting stranded by broke chainrings exceedingly remote, I only threw this stuff in on account of I replaced the chainrings right before I left. All that saved just three pounds.
Come back to the motel to check out and find this box turtle, in the middle of downtown, wanting to cross north across a busy four lane street.
No idea how it made it that far, I carried across the street to a big empty lot and it took off northbound like it was on a mission. Hope it makes it OK
While in Great Falls take time to go a few miles south to Ulm, MT and see the Ulm Pishkun, it has been renamed to the more politically correct First People Buffalo Jump State Park, it is one of the largest and oldest buffalo jumps in the country and is very interesting to see. Google for some good info about it.
Also take time to see the Charlie Russell Museum in Great Falls, I think it will be very interesting given your interest in "old time" stuff.
Driving with some other guy’s wife for 1,000 miles sounds like a super good idea.
I ain't seen or talked directly to this woman since about 15 years when they left San Antonio, tho I've been in regular contact with her husband. With some people, you just resume the conversation where you left off like it was yesterday. Better yet, her and my buddy raised two sons, so she's used to being around guys but yeah, I gotta watch my p's and q's.
Anyways more photos to close out yesterday. I found a heavy 100% cotton 3X sports shirt at the Mennonite WalWart in Seminole on sale for $5. It works, an outerlayer of cotton really does block the sun, hold sweat and provide evaporative cooling. Makes me look like..... something or other...... but it works, and still beats the crap out of spandex.... besides who's gonna mess with a guy dressed like this? And who would guess that guy was packing a container of 9mm bear spray if'n they did?
Scenic view north out of Seminole.... I believe this is approaching Seagraves, when ya see a watertower on the horizon in only about 45 minutes to an hour you'll be at their convenience store IF they got one. Quite a few names with no towns out here, but I ain't yet come across a watertower with no town attached.
This place has seen better days. Ruins on the Plains always seem like they must have sad stories attached.
I was forty miles away in Brownfield when I realized my buddy's wife was still at Tech, good thing too, I was gonna end the day at Wolffield which is now the outer band of Lubbock, and not the good side from what I seen. I did come across this tho.....
The last twenty miles out of the eighty I was racing a storm cell in, seems to happen a lot up on the Panhandle, keeps you motivated at least, anyways on this occasion I won. Tremendous sunset under it getting into Lubbock.
The last five miles took me 90 minutes, Hwy 62 in turns into a de-facto interstate through town, with no access road to ride in so me and google was on our own. Didn't help any them inner-city prairie dogs in those urban prairie dog ghettos was calling me names. The herds of jack rabbits were quite graceful tho.
On this whole thing so far I am a tad bummed out I never got into Hobbs, NM, just about three miles from the State Line where I was. The first time I was through Hobbs was more'n thirty years ago, I was on a motorcycle, the sign out front of the Dairy Queen said "WE HAVE BANANAS TODAY"
While in Great Falls take time to go a few miles south to Ulm, MT and see the Ulm Pishkun, it has been renamed to the more politically correct First People Buffalo Jump State Park, it is one of the largest and oldest buffalo jumps in the country and is very interesting to see. Google for some good info about it.
Also take time to see the Charlie Russell Museum in Great Falls, I think it will be very interesting given your interest in "old time" stuff.
drover
Hey tks,
Biggest problem I'm gonna have is keeping momentum and getting the heck out of Dodge, fer example my buddy and his sons are at a place called Sealy Lake catching fish right now
Obviously there's some serious hill climbs out there, and obviously I'm on a heavy bike which will cut down on my average miles/day. At this point a Great Falls, Old Faithful, Cody, Great Falls triangle circuit looks to be about 750 miles, which means I'd only have to average 25 miles/day.
...Here's what I ditched and mailed home to myself. 1) Shirt that blends in, blending in ain't whats it about on these things. 2) Bear spray, how was I gonna know I would be in Montana in just a few days. 3) Knife (Mora}, already got a pretty good blade on my Leatherman. 3) Cone wrenches to adjust the wheel hubs, got a little buyers remorse about sending off those 4) Extra chainrings and the tools to switch 'em out. Chance of getting stranded by broke chainrings exceedingly remote, I only threw this stuff in on account of I replaced the chainrings right before I left. All that saved just three pounds.
...
Glad to see you decided to take my advice after all.
Birdie you got that Registered sex offender look down with that new Walmart outfit😂😂👍. Might want to change outfits when you meet your friends wife
At least vehicles see you better when riding And “Cotton ain’t rotten” in desert climate
We give you a lot of schit but you’re getting it done. Not many on here, me included, would do what you’re doing on your bike. I did the Seattle to Portland ride years ago but on a much lighter bike in one day.
Safe travels
Originally Posted by Birdwatcher
Quote
Driving with some other guy’s wife for 1,000 miles sounds like a super good idea.
I ain't seen or talked directly to this woman since about 15 years when they left San Antonio, tho I've been in regular contact with her husband. With some people, you just resume the conversation where you left off like it was yesterday. Better yet, her and my buddy raised two sons, so she's used to being around guys but yeah, I gotta watch my p's and q's.
Anyways more photos to close out yesterday. I found a heavy 100% cotton 3X sports shirt at the Mennonite WalWart in Seminole on sale for $5. It works, an outerlayer of cotton really does block the sun, hold sweat and provide evaporative cooling. Makes me look like..... something or other...... but it works, and still beats the crap out of spandex.... besides who's gonna mess with a guy dressed like this? And who would guess that guy was packing a container of 9mm bear spray if'n they did?
Scenic view north out of Seminole.... I believe this is approaching Seagraves, when ya see a watertower on the horizon in only about 45 minutes to an hour you'll be at their convenience store IF they got one. Quite a few names with no towns out here, but I ain't yet come across a watertower with no town attached.
This place has seen better days. Ruins on the Plains always seem like they must have sad stories attached.
I was forty miles away in Brownfield when I realized my buddy's wife was still at Tech, good thing too, I was gonna end the day at Wolffield which is now the outer band of Lubbock, and not the good side from what I seen. I did come across this tho.....
The last twenty miles out of the eighty I was racing a storm cell in, seems to happen a lot up on the Panhandle, keeps you motivated at least, anyways on this occasion I won. Tremendous sunset under it getting into Lubbock.
The last five miles took me 90 minutes, Hwy 62 in turns into a de-facto interstate through town, with no access road to ride in so me and google was on our own. Didn't help any them inner-city prairie dogs in those urban prairie dog ghettos was calling me names. The herds of jack rabbits were quite graceful tho.
On this whole thing so far I am a tad bummed out I never got into Hobbs, NM, just about three miles from the State Line where I was. The first time I was through Hobbs was more'n thirty years ago, I was on a motorcycle, the sign out front of the Dairy Queen said "WE HAVE BANANAS TODAY"
While in Great Falls take time to go a few miles south to Ulm, MT and see the Ulm Pishkun, it has been renamed to the more politically correct First People Buffalo Jump State Park, it is one of the largest and oldest buffalo jumps in the country and is very interesting to see. Google for some good info about it.
Also take time to see the Charlie Russell Museum in Great Falls, I think it will be very interesting given your interest in "old time" stuff.
drover
Hey tks,
Biggest problem I'm gonna have is keeping momentum and getting the heck out of Dodge, fer example my buddy and his sons are at a place called Sealy Lake catching fish right now
Obviously there's some serious hill climbs out there, and obviously I'm on a heavy bike which will cut down on my average miles/day. At this point a Great Falls, Old Faithful, Cody, Great Falls triangle circuit looks to be about 750 miles, which means I'd only have to average 25 miles/day.
I forgot to mention the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center in Great Falls, right up your alley. You could do the Ulm Pishkun and L&C center in a day, the Russell Museum would take another half day. I think given your interests that the Ulm Pishkun and L&C center would hold more interest for you.
Birdwatcher this is a great thread. Tell Pal to FOAD. If ya dont want to I will Pal FOAD. The man has done more on this thread than you could ever do or done. If ya have done more or know 1/2 of what your talking about lets see it. Safe travels Birdwatcher.
birdie, in the spirit of good humor, you're really rockin' the male version of this:
Hey tks, pretty sure those Humbolt Honeys would do me, 'long as I didn't talk politics. Bird watching was always the charm, I'd get laid even when I wasn't looking to get laid.
But bear in mind what I wear ain't merely affectation, or just affectation, it works.
Down time today, just hanging around the Texas Tech campus which is mostly quiet for the summer. Go out by 6:30am and went looking for the University Strip, all the funky college restaurants, clothing stores and coffee shops. Didn't find one yet, just a Starbucks on a highly commercialized high-dollar setting, which is unfortunately how colleges seem to be going nowadays (ex. Guadalupe adjacent to UT in Austin and the Northgate Strip adjacent to A&M). So for a bit now I'm in the Starbucks and tho an old labrador too old to retrieve, my coed detectors are still going off big time "beep....beep....beep....beep".
I mean sure their conversations seem as inane as they've ever been, but we don't care because they're hot.
Anyways I'm gonna keep this thread going into Montana so I don't get up there and lose a week just hanging out with friends.
Ruminations on getting run over..... the biggest threat on these things.
It would suck to end the thread that way (for some here at least) and I'm happy to say a lot of friends and relatives would prob'ly be devastated, 'specially the grandkid.
This is the way it works in Texas: If I'm on the roadway at all its either because there ain't a shoulder or if there is the chipseal is too rough to ride efficiently.
I will bail off the asphalt in a heartbeat, doesn't matter if I have the legal right-of-way (which I often do).
Straight road, I hear 'em coming maybe a quarter to a half mile back. If its a four lane highway and two vehicles side by side approaching from the rear I will bail off of the roadway because I know the guy in the right hand lane maybe has nowhere to go. Same thing if its just a two lane highway and there's traffic going in both directions.
But here's a scenario which happens four or five times a day....
Flat open road, I'm on the white line or close to it for a reason, vehicle approaches from behind, right lane. As he closes in I'm watching in my mirror, fugger doesn't give an inch, if anything moves right, passes so close like I could reach out and touch them.
Pi$$es ya off no end. I wrenched my left rotator cuff in the days before the trip else I'd raise my left arm and flip 'em the bird as they pass, then as they move away I'm flipping them the bird high and proud, fugg you AND the horse you rode in on. Once I was ON the shoulder and a guy in a tanker truck crosses the white line and hits the rumble strip right next to me as he passes.
I gotta quit getting PO'd. First off, if they're texting, they might not have seem me at all. Otherwise, even if they were screwing with the bicycle idiot on purpose, what purpose does it serve to flip 'em the bird? Like I really wanna escalate out there on the side of the road.
Gotta revert to my public school mindset; dont get PO'd, never escalate.
Man, after you’ve done bicycles, motorized vehicles sure re a lame way to cross the Continent, bicycles make places seem closer, motor vehicles just disconnect you.
Man, after you’ve done bicycles, motorized vehicles sure re a lame way to cross the Continent, bicycles make places seem closer, motor vehicles just disconnect you.
yup, the slower you go, the more connected you are ! safe travels !
You'll be back in the saddle before ya know it, Mike!
Speaking of which... Is she good lookin'?
We won't tell....
With the obvious exception of the ‘Fire, I only hang out with good-looking people 😎
Just rolled into Colorado via Clayton/Raton/Trinidad.
My God, we live in a beautiful country.
Good deal! Raton Pass had road construction all the way through it when I drove through there a few weeks back. It’s a beautiful drive from there through Colorado Springs!
I’ll be passing through there again in another month! Be safe and keep us posted! Hope your ride home is all downhill 😜
Ahhh, one if my favorite drives in the US, coming north on 25 from Santa Fe through Raton on to Colorado Springs. Enjoy the ride Birdy, you'll be working a bit harder on the way south.
4am Texas time.... what’s this? Suddenly we’re in the valley of the Greasy Grass, blitzing through where there were huge herds of Indian ponies grazing..
Heck we was just in Lubbock TX noontime yesterday. Gonna stop and pause our own horsepower for a while and wait for daylight. Ain’t gonna pause here beyond first light unfortunately.
Based on some guy who used to live here I didn't have very high expectations of Montana. OK, there's the Little Bighorn, which we blitzed by early this AM, and there's the Hi Line where folks battle boredom and hypothermia and sometimes both at once, but dang! check these guys out
You're to be commended for riding a bicycle to New Mexico. But here's what I think.
I think you showed up in New Mexico with one eyeball hangin' out on your cheek,...a beschitted Brooks bicycle saddle, both knees poppin',...and your buddy talked his girlfriend into driving you to Montana to save your life.
You're to be commended for riding a bicycle to New Mexico. But here's what I think.
I think you showed up in New Mexico with one eyeball hangin' out on your cheek,...a beschitted Brooks bicycle saddle, both knees poppin',...and your buddy talked his girlfriend into driving you to Montana to save your life.
And they blazed right by one the coolest/historic places too see Little Bighorn. He bitches about how terribly boring it is to see America from a vehicle, but rolls right on by little big horn.. yeah yeah we know we know you pedaled all the way to New York. Or did you just throw yourself and bike in a empty box car and hobo'ed it all the way to New York via a BNSF train.
And they blazed right by one the coolest/historic places too see Little Bighorn. He bitches about how terribly boring it is to see America from a vehicle, but rolls right on by little big horn.. yeah yeah we know we k ow you pedaled all the way to New York. Or did you just throw yourself and bike in a empty box car and hobo'ed it all the way to New York via a train.
If you were driving that car you wouldn’t be stopping either.
And they blazed right by one the coolest/historic places too see Little Bighorn. He bitches about how terribly boring it is to see America from a vehicle, but rolls right on by little big horn.. yeah yeah we know we k ow you pedaled all the way to New York. Or did you just throw yourself and bike in a empty box car and hobo'ed it all the way to New York via a train.
If you were driving that car you wouldn’t be stopping either.
She was probably sending cryptic messages, on potential spots to find her body..
And they blazed right by one the coolest/historic places too see Little Bighorn. He bitches about how terribly boring it is to see America from a vehicle, but rolls right on by little big horn..
‘WTF? All you guys cramping today?
Do you actually think I have never been to the LBH?
That good woman had been away from her husband and kids for six weeks, longest ever, she was in a flat rush to get home. Being a nice person, she woulda stopped if I asked, wanted to, but I didn’t.
Anyways I slept for two hours out on the sidewalk at the truck stop and around sunrise got mistook for just another drunk by an actual Crow Injun
I was wishing it was Crow Fair so I could say what a bada$$ i was for going.
And they blazed right by one the coolest/historic places too see Little Bighorn. He bitches about how terribly boring it is to see America from a vehicle, but rolls right on by little big horn..
‘WTF? All you guys cramping today?
Do you actually think I have never been to the LBH?
That good woman had been away from her husband and kids for six weeks, longest ever, she was in a flat rush to get home. Being a nice person, she woulda stopped if I asked, wanted to, but I didn’t.
Anyways I slept for two hours out on the sidewalk at the truck stop and around sunrise got mistook for just another drunk by an actual Crow Injun
I was wishing it was Crow Fair so I could say what a bada$$ i was for going.
So did you drive at all? I'm pretty sure you didn't ride your bike to New York..
When was the last time you was mistook for drunk on the Rez? Never.
Thought so......
Actually I was impressed that I could sleep so soundly on concrete at around 55-60F wearing just my one thin loose layer of nylon cycling duds with no blanket or covering of any sort Laying down I thought the cool temps would wake me up pretty quick, but I didn’t wanna rummage around in the vehicle and wake up my friend. Secret is to staying warm enough to sleep is ya gotta cover your head
And they blazed right by one the coolest/historic places too see Little Bighorn. He bitches about how terribly boring it is to see America from a vehicle, but rolls right on by little big horn..
‘WTF? All you guys cramping today?
Do you actually think I have never been to the LBH?
That good woman had been away from her husband and kids for six weeks, longest ever, she was in a flat rush to get home. Being a nice person, she woulda stopped if I asked, wanted to, but I didn’t.
Anyways I slept for two hours out on the sidewalk at the truck stop and around sunrise got mistook for just another drunk by an actual Crow Injun
I was wishing it was Crow Fair so I could say what a bada$$ i was for going.
So did you drive at all? I'm pretty sure you didn't ride your bike to New York..
She drove from Lubbock I Started driving around Pueblo CO towards evening, switched again around midnight at Douglas WY, she drove the rest of the way, I suggested we stop and wait for daylight at around 3am MST. I wasn’t expecting the LBH actually, without consulting a map I woulda thought we would pass further west.
As for the bicycle to New York thing, of course I did, 2014, heck even little ol’ ladies can do that. Check out the 14,000 plus bicycle tour blogs here, what I’m doing is like running to the corner store by comparison
And they blazed right by one the coolest/historic places too see Little Bighorn. He bitches about how terribly boring it is to see America from a vehicle, but rolls right on by little big horn..
‘WTF? All you guys cramping today?
Do you actually think I have never been to the LBH?
That good woman had been away from her husband and kids for six weeks, longest ever, she was in a flat rush to get home. Being a nice person, she woulda stopped if I asked, wanted to, but I didn’t.
Anyways I slept for two hours out on the sidewalk at the truck stop and around sunrise got mistook for just another drunk by an actual Crow Injun
I was wishing it was Crow Fair so I could say what a bada$$ i was for going.
So did you drive at all? I'm pretty sure you didn't ride your bike to New York..
When was the last time you was mistook for drunk on the Rez? Never.
Thought so......
Actually I was impressed that I could sleep so soundly on concrete at around 55-60F wearing just my one thin loose layer of nylon cycling duds with no blanket or covering of any sort Laying down I thought the cool temps would wake me up pretty quick, but I didn’t wanna rummage around in the vehicle and wake up my friend. Secret is to staying warm enough to sleep is ya gotta cover your head
You know I'm being a dick.. most here forgot to tell you the place to visit in Montana is browning Montana great great place.. please tell them about your story of being mistaking for a drunk crow, oh they will get a good laugh out of it. So get browning Montana ASAP
When was the last time you was mistook for drunk on the Rez? Never.
Thought so......
Actually I was impressed that I could sleep so soundly on concrete at around 55-60F wearing just my one thin loose layer of nylon cycling duds with no blanket or covering of any sort Laying down I thought the cool temps would wake me up pretty quick, but I didn’t wanna rummage around in the vehicle and wake up my friend. Secret is to staying warm enough to sleep is ya gotta cover your head
Point taken, usually I get along OK with Indians, never been thumped but been close. I ever I get beat up by an Indian, hey, I think that means that I’m in
Point taken, usually I get along OK with Indians, never been thumped but been close. I ever I get beat up by an Indian, hey, I think that means that I’m in
Uh sure... head on down to rocky boy they will make sure you are full fledged blood brother..
Point taken, usually I get along OK with Indians, never been thumped but been close. I ever I get beat up by an Indian, hey, I think that means that I’m in
Will be leaving Rocky Mountain Rendezvous either the 20th or 21st. Gonna run up to the ranch at Grand Lake for a couple of days and fish. If your headed back down your welcome to join us.
Also,,,
I’m pullin’ my 6’ x 8’ travois behind my pickup. If you get knocked up side the head or took out by an errant 18 yard end dump, we can strap what’s left on the trailer and be happy to haul you back to Bejar, a la Augustus McCrae style.
Have you ever thought of working during the summers?
Hmmm..... 30+ summers gone by, I think I worked like 25 of ‘em.
The thing is, I ain’t got all that many left, all we get to keep when we check out are our stories, and I got an audience. If I can pull off cool stuff pretty late in life, some of them will too.
Point taken, usually I get along OK with Indians, never been thumped but been close. I ever I get beat up by an Indian, hey, I think that means that I’m in
Whatever the fugk that means.
Rez Indian- Hey brother what tribe your from? Birdwatcher- well I was beat up by some Crowe Indians so I’m Crowe. Rez Indian- standing there at a loss for words..
Will be leaving Rocky Mountain Rendezvous either the 20th or 21st. Gonna run up to the ranch at Grand Lake for a couple of days and fish. If your headed back down your welcome to join us.
Also,,,
I’m pullin’ my 6’ x 8’ travois behind my pickup. If you get knocked up side the head or took out by an errant 18 yard end dump, we can strap what’s left on the trailer and be happy to haul you back to Bejar, a la Augustus McCrae style.
Hey! Anything for an amigo!!!
Sounds like he just found his ride home to Texas..
You'll be back in the saddle before ya know it, Mike!
Speaking of which... Is she good lookin'?
We won't tell....
With the obvious exception of the ‘Fire, I only hang out with good-looking people 😎
Just rolled into Colorado via Clayton/Raton/Trinidad.
My God, we live in a beautiful country.
Birdman,
tip of the hat to you, for having a great adventure this summer. for a lot of people summer is like the rest of the year, only hotter. a few people sound down right upset you are having an adventure. mebbeso they aren't having as much fun as you.
anyway, keep on being Birdwatcher, not many could tackle the job.
I'm convinced none would enjoy it as much as you do.
They don't even sound like they're having much fun at whatever it is they chose to do.
You'll be back in the saddle before ya know it, Mike!
Speaking of which... Is she good lookin'?
We won't tell....
With the obvious exception of the ‘Fire, I only hang out with good-looking people 😎
Just rolled into Colorado via Clayton/Raton/Trinidad.
My God, we live in a beautiful country.
Birdman,
tip of the hat to you, for having a great adventure this summer. for a lot of people summer is like the rest of the year, only hotter. a few people sound down right upset you are having an adventure. mebbeso they aren't having as much fun as you.
anyway, keep on being Birdwatcher, not many could tackle the job.
I'm convinced none would enjoy it as much as you do.
They don't even sound like they're having much fun at whatever it is they chose to do.
Adventure? he literally rode his bike 300 miles then hitched a ride to Montana via car... he's about to pedal his ass over to kaywoodie AO and throw his bike in the truck and birddog it all the way to Texas..
When was the last time you was mistook for drunk on the Rez? Never.
Thought so......
Actually I was impressed that I could sleep so soundly on concrete at around 55-60F wearing just my one thin loose layer of nylon cycling duds with no blanket or covering of any sort Laying down I thought the cool temps would wake me up pretty quick, but I didn’t wanna rummage around in the vehicle and wake up my friend. Secret is to staying warm enough to sleep is ya gotta cover your head
You know I'm being a dick.. most here forgot to tell you the place to visit in Montana is browning Montana great great place.. please tell them about your story of being mistaking for a drunk crow, oh they will get a good laugh out of it. So get browning Montana ASAP
Point taken, usually I get along OK with Indians, never been thumped but been close. I ever I get beat up by an Indian, hey, I think that means that I’m in
Whatever the fugk that means.
Rez Indian- Hey brother what tribe your from? Birdwatcher- well I was beat up by some Crowe Indians so I’m Crowe. Rez Indian- standing there at a loss for words..
It don’t matter, the Indians is pretty cool already, they don’t need me.
But here’s how it works;
A) I rode my bike all the way through friggin’ Yellowstone.... that mission got compromised, for good reasons, but compromised.
OK, next best thing......
B) I rode my bike FROM friggin’ Yellowstone..... gonna know for sure in a week if that’s gonna happen, depends on how fast if at all I can get through the mountains.
Now thanks to my buddy K there’s choice C) a ride home from Grand Lake, hey just 850 miles from here...... piece of cake....
I'm tipping ,my hat to you from down here in Georgia. One way I have of looking at the world is to consider it is made up of two types of people: be-ers and do - ers.
Be-ers just want to bebe someone, usually leading with their mouths, problem is: they don't seem to accomplish much except perhaps in the vacuous recesses of their own minds.
Be-ers seem to comprise at least 80% of the population, maybe a higher percentage. Easy to spot, they often can be identified badmouthing others.
Do-ers on the other hand, do things, and get things done. A much smaller percentage than be-ers.
And you are a do- er. The hecklers here act like be-ers as far as I can tell.
I'm a couple years older than you and find inspiration in your story. I'm thinking that my climb to over the 5000M mark (a little over 16,000 ft) of Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador this spring was not as daunting as your trip, and certainly less of a marathon.
Thanks for the kind words. I’m pretty sure 79S has one and lost some brawls in his time, maybe up here in Montana.
Meanwhile on this bike thing it’s interesting.
When most folks see a bike tourer loaded down with bags tooling down the roadside they don’t think “wow ya gotta be tough to do that”, mostly they get irritated by the bike on the road.
OTOH when it’s someone they know doing it they’re more inclined to think “dang that must be tough”.
Meanwhile the one doing it will tell ya it ain’t hard it’s mostly a question of having the time.
OTOH again I’m a tad uncertain about the next leg of the tour because I don’t know this country. But people do it all the time so it must be OK.
Either last summer or the one before I talked for a few minutes with a couple of younger women bicycling cross country together. They'd stopped at a local Dollar General store to pick up a few necessities. They said they started their trip on the SE coast and were headed west. As I recall, one said she was headed to up around where you are now and the other said she was going all the way to a NW coastal state.
Several years back I talked with a man in his '50s (he was a school teacher, as well) who said he was bicycling cross country also. Said he had his bicycle and traveling gear shipped out to Washington state, then flew out there and started his trip from there and was headed back to NY state where he lived and taught school. As I recall he said he swung down through the SW states partly to see country he hadn't seen before and partly to avoid trying to pedal over the mountain ranges out west. Said he was hoping to make it home in time to rest up for a week or so before the next school semester started up.
We generally get quite a few cross country bicyclist pass through this area ever summer riding anywhere from singly to groups of several traveling together. A Protestant church in a local town hosts touring bicyclist needing a little R&R break. They can cook a warm meal, rest up and sleep inside with A/C, watch TV, shower, shave and wash clothes, etc, while there. I've seen as high as about a dozen or so there at one time.
Apparently there's quite a few folks of all ages and backgrounds that are into cross country bicycle touring nowadays.
tip of the hat to you, for having a great adventure this summer. for a lot of people summer is like the rest of the year, only hotter. a few people sound down right upset you are having an adventure. mebbeso they aren't having as much fun as you.
anyway, keep on being Birdwatcher, not many could tackle the job.
I'm convinced none would enjoy it as much as you do.
They don't even sound like they're having much fun at whatever it is they chose to do.
I'm waiting to see how many miles per day these guys ride a bike in summer...
OK, my degree of bicycle studlyness has already been demonstrated, I rode my bike to New Mexico. Enough people are impressed, I have a story to tell the kids when school opens up.
The guy up in Great Falls Montana where I am headed was the best man at my wedding, we are like family. I wasn’t originally planning to ride to Lubbock, I didn’t know his wife would still be here. But she is ( finishing up a six-week course).
She will be done Saturday morning, we both could be in Great Falls Sunday morning July 7th, I would have 30 days left to start over and do a 1,000 - 2,000 mile loop (depending on terrain and my ability to traverse it).based out of Great Falls,
So I gotta decide....
a) Stay the present course to be able to say “Ya, I rode my bike all the way to fuggin’ Yellowstone.”
Or.....
b) Help my friend’s wife on the thousand-mile drive home, be in Great Falls Sunday, start over.
My friend’s wife would much prefer I help her drive back.
Mike, we should have a roof over our heads, again by the time you return. I tell folks all the time - that we're listed in the phone book; however, even our phone is homeless! If you come this way give me a call @ 505-617-1342, and we'll meet. (Same goes for any of you) PS, I am back online, again.
Yep, bicycles are hard to see in the first place and when you DO see 'em the speed/distance of a bicycle is hard to judge from a car or truck. For this reason, even before they do anything stupid, passing bicycles in a motor vehicle is inherently stressful.
What I prob'ly would done in that instance is got off the bike at the start of the off-ramp. Walked the along the edge of the off-ramp hugging the guard rail on the right (being prepared to jump it off the road if necessary), then when I could, cross the access road perpendicular to the guard rail, get back on at the right edge of the main lanes (looks like there's a narrow but ridable shoulder).
Whole lot easier to die on a bicycle than it is on a motorcycle
Yep, bicycles are hard to see in the first place and when you DO see 'em the speed/distance of a bicycle is hard to judge from a car or truck. For this reason, even before they do anything stupid, passing bicycles in a motor vehicle is inherently stressful.
What I prob'ly would done in that instance is got off the bike at the start of the off-ramp. Walked the along the edge of the off-ramp hugging the guard rail on the right (being prepared to jump it off the road if necessary), then when I could, cross the access road perpendicular to the guard rail, get back on at the right edge of the main lanes (looks like there's a narrow but ridable shoulder).
Whole lot easier to die on a bicycle than it is on a motorcycle
I may have been driving that truck, I'd just as soon hit a bicycle rider as a gopher on the highway...
Naaah, that used to be my joke when a kid called me retarded, but the word “retarded” is on the PC no fly list anymore.anymore. Sitting here in the City Bar, pretty busy, senior clientele, BLT is good but the iced tea is minuscule.
No wonder the Indians get cranky, White folks got casinos up here too.
When I made my bicycle trip from Georgia to Colorado I was 25 years old. I had the world at my feet, at that age, plus I was in great shape even before I started the trip.
I am impressed that you can do this at age 62. You are putting ideas into my head.
I am impressed that you can do this at age 62. You are putting ideas into my head.
That’s the point.
If I can get through Yellowstone with enough time left I’m gonna attempt a 1,400 mile dash down the Great Plains to get back to work. What else but a bicycle would even begin to make that sort of endeavor possible for anyone, let alone old guys?
Birdie, you're quite correct in stating, a few pages back, that we live in a beautiful country.
At 65MPH it's harder to notice the little things.
Keep at it.
RE: Indians. Might be best to not let them Northern ones know you're from down Apache/Comanche way. Them folks might not like the White Eyes, but I ran across more than a few that dislike other Indians even more it seemed. Or maybe they just disliked everyone.
Apparently there's quite a few folks of all ages and backgrounds that are into cross country bicycle touring nowadays.
It’s been my observation that bicycles are booming across the board. Plus there’s a lot of old folks not ready to get old yet, short of swimming, bicycles might be the lowest-impact form of exercise there i.
I’m pullin’ my 6’ x 8’ travois behind my pickup. If you get knocked up side the head or took out by an errant 18 yard end dump, we can strap what’s left on the trailer and be happy to haul you back to Bejar, a la Augustus McCrae style.
I’m pullin’ my 6’ x 8’ travois behind my pickup. If you get knocked up side the head or took out by an errant 18 yard end dump, we can strap what’s left on the trailer and be happy to haul you back to Bejar, a la Augustus McCrae style.
Anyway, I’m looking at 115 miles south down I 15 to Boulder MT to get back in the game. Legal to ride the innastate margins here, and a lot safer’n most backroads.
Anyway, I’m looking at 115 miles south down I 15 to Boulder MT to get back in the game. Legal to ride the innastate margins here, and a lot safer’n most backroads.
Anyway, I’m looking at 115 miles south down I 15 to Boulder MT to get back in the game. Legal to ride the innastate margins here, and a lot safer’n most backroads.
Be careful on that last drop toward Helena.
You may reach supersonic speeds.
Problem with “down Beartooth Pass” and “last drop” is ya gotta climb first. Other problem with steep descents on a heavy bicycle is that rim brakes CAN get hot and fade. Had it happen before.
Due to social obligations it’s looking like noontime before I can roll, still leaves me near 10hrs of useful light.
Problem with “down Beartooth Pass” and “last drop” is ya gotta climb first. Other problem with steep descents on a heavy bicycle is that rim brakes CAN get hot and fade. Had it happen before.
Yes. I'm telling you to prepare for it in case you missed it on your way north.
You will be doing around Mach 3 if you're not careful.
There's a similar drop north of Loma that won't affect your journey but it has caused a few boo-boo's on a number of cyclists.
The rest areas south of Great Falls are second to none. Very hobo/bicyclist friendly. Almost like apartments.
If you need to fuel up before you head out go to the Celtic Cowboy and get the Irish Breakfast.
My opinion of Great Falls grows by the minute, stopped by WallMart-the-Way-it-Oughtta-be AKA “The North 40” to pick up a Katadin Hiker pump water filter (to go with the solar phone recharger I ain’t used yet either).
Currently in The Celtic Cowboy waiting on an Irish breakfast with my gracious host. This place is uber cool.
Tks for the heads up on the rest areas. Maybe I’ll stay a week.
If you need to fuel up before you head out go to the Celtic Cowboy and get the Irish Breakfast.
My opinion of Great Falls grows by the minute, stopped by WallMart-the-Way-it-Oughtta-be AKA “The North 40” to pick up a Katadin Hiker pump water filter (to go with the solar phone recharger I ain’t used yet either).
Currently in The Celtic Cowboy waiting on an Irish breakfast with my gracious host. This place is uber cool.
Tks for the heads up on the rest areas. Maybe I’ll stay a week.
check the lewis and clark museum in great falls. pretty cool
If you need to fuel up before you head out go to the Celtic Cowboy and get the Irish Breakfast.
My opinion of Great Falls grows by the minute, stopped by WallMart-the-Way-it-Oughtta-be AKA “The North 40” to pick up a Katadin Hiker pump water filter (to go with the solar phone recharger I ain’t used yet either).
Currently in The Celtic Cowboy waiting on an Irish breakfast with my gracious host. This place is uber cool.
Tks for the heads up on the rest areas. Maybe I’ll stay a week.
North 40's are awesome.
I'm probably the best guide you could ever have in Great Falls.
If I was still around I'd stop in and make fun of your bicycle.
Been here maybe 48 hrs and I already know the Playground is next to Great Fall’s heavy metal/biker bar, couple of blocks from Scheel’s which is like a Cabela’s wannabe, must cost a mint to heat that place which is why I was directed to go water filter shopping at the North 40 instead
Bullchit you are headed to Mississippi to retire and live your dream as hillbilly hog farmer living in a classic 1971 single wide with holes in the floor. While mastering your craft of the banjo..
check the lewis and clark museum in great falls. pretty cool
Blitzed through test-riding the bicycle, stayed maybe 20 minutes, small but excellent firearms display, original and repro... mostly looking for a stuffed toy to send to the Kid.
Whenever Grampa here goes on a road trip for the summer,, about once a week he sends the Kid a stuffed toy specific to that locale with a postcard.
Bullchit you are headed to Mississippi to retire and live your dream as hillbilly hog farmer living in a classic 1971 single wide with holes in the floor. While mastering your craft of the banjo..
You point out the holes in the floor like their a derogatory thing, instead of the obvious fact that it saves getting out of the lazboy to let the chickens in !
Bullchit you are headed to Mississippi to retire and live your dream as hillbilly hog farmer living in a classic 1971 single wide with holes in the floor. While mastering your craft of the banjo..
You point out the holes in the floor like their a derogatory thing, instead of the obvious fact that it saves getting out of the lazboy to let the chickens in !
It's also a good place to toss empty's.
Once a year, send the kids under the trailer and pick cans to turn in for the 4th a Jooly Bob-A-Que money.
Bullchit you are headed to Mississippi to retire and live your dream as hillbilly hog farmer living in a classic 1971 single wide with holes in the floor. While mastering your craft of the banjo..
You point out the holes in the floor like their a derogatory thing, instead of the obvious fact that it saves getting out of the lazboy to let the chickens in !
It's also a good place to toss empty's.
Once a year, send the kids under the trailer and pick cans to turn in for the 4th a Jooly Bob-A-Que money.
Hey, they also allow for pressure differentials during tornadoes so the trailer house don't blow over. Work's like them roof flappy thingies on the NASCARs. What with the normal broke window or six, air just flows thru whenever it needs too.
I'll take a Scheel's gun department over a modern-day Cabela's gun department any day of the week. I just don't go to the soccer ball section.............. Cabela's has always had a women's section in their larger stores...............
The original Cabela's gun shop in downtown Sidney, NB was a great place to shop for guns and reloading equipment in the 1970's. Then they went big time and the luster fell off quickly for me. The original store was a merchandise showroom on the street level, a gun shop that you entered by walking down one flight of stairs from street level and the second story of the building above street level was Cabela's early mail order supply/warehouse for what they sold via catalog.
Times have changed and what was once a robust Cabela's slowly slid even further down the road to ruin and since BP bought them, the slide steepened considerably. Cabela's clothing was worth buying in the past. Not the same can be said for the BP products now in Cabela's stores.
I'll take a Scheel's gun department over a modern-day Cabela's gun department any day of the week. I just don't go to the soccer ball section.............. Cabela's has always had a women's section in their larger stores...............
The original Cabela's gun shop in downtown Sidney, NB was a great place to shop for guns and reloading equipment in the 1970's. Then they went big time and the luster fell off quickly for me. The original store was a merchandise showroom on the street level, a gun shop that you entered by walking down one flight of stairs from street level and the second story of the building above street level was Cabela's early mail order supply/warehouse for what they sold via catalog.
Times have changed and what was once a robust Cabela's slowly slid even further down the road to ruin and since BP bought them, the slide steepened considerably. Cabela's clothing was worth buying in the past. Not the same can be said for the BP products now in Cabela's stores.
I'll take a Scheel's gun department over a modern-day Cabela's gun department any day of the week. I just don't go to the soccer ball section.............. Cabela's has always had a women's section in their larger stores...............
The original Cabela's gun shop in downtown Sidney, NB was a great place to shop for guns and reloading equipment in the 1970's. Then they went big time and the luster fell off quickly for me. The original store was a merchandise showroom on the street level, a gun shop that you entered by walking down one flight of stairs from street level and the second story of the building above street level was Cabela's early mail order supply/warehouse for what they sold via catalog.
Times have changed and what was once a robust Cabela's slowly slid even further down the road to ruin and since BP bought them, the slide steepened considerably. Cabela's clothing was worth buying in the past. Not the same can be said for the BP products now in Cabela's stores.
I agree.
Sportsman's Warehouse for the win though.
I agree totally............
However, I hate to say it for fear that Bristoe is going to read this and then declare that we are brothers from different mothers and hence unfit people for not agreeing with him on other things that he holds near and dear.............. His learned opinions always concern me greatly.............
However, I hate to say it for fear that Bristoe is going to read this and then declare that we are brothers from different mothers and hence unfit people for not agreeing with him on other things that he holds near and dear.............. His learned opinions always concern me greatly.............
That's silly.
My brother and I agree on everything and still hate each other.
However, I hate to say it for fear that Bristoe is going to read this and then declare that we are brothers from different mothers and hence unfit people for not agreeing with him on other things that he holds near and dear.............. His learned opinions always concern me greatly.............
That's silly.
My brother and I agree on everything and still hate each other.
Bullchit you are headed to Mississippi to retire and live your dream as hillbilly hog farmer living in a classic 1971 single wide with holes in the floor. While mastering your craft of the banjo..
I was just up at the scheels in Great Falls last month
Outstanding customer service and decent prices on guns bows fishing gear.
Phug cabelas
Originally Posted by BayouRover
I'll take a Scheel's gun department over a modern-day Cabela's gun department any day of the week. I just don't go to the soccer ball section.............. Cabela's has always had a women's section in their larger stores...............
The original Cabela's gun shop in downtown Sidney, NB was a great place to shop for guns and reloading equipment in the 1970's. Then they went big time and the luster fell off quickly for me. The original store was a merchandise showroom on the street level, a gun shop that you entered by walking down one flight of stairs from street level and the second story of the building above street level was Cabela's early mail order supply/warehouse for what they sold via catalog.
Times have changed and what was once a robust Cabela's slowly slid even further down the road to ruin and since BP bought them, the slide steepened considerably. Cabela's clothing was worth buying in the past. Not the same can be said for the BP products now in Cabela's stores.
A good place to grab a burger is in Wolf Creek and it's right on your way.
West side of Interstate off the just a little past the end of the off-ramp on the right side. Used to be The Frenchman and Me but they changed the name. Maybe Shotgun Annie's or something like that.
I live south of Helena in Clancy so PM me if you get in a bind.
Safe travels, you're getting a lot of shxx but I've been enjoying reading about your journey so keep it up.
Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 256 AM EDT Wed Jul 10 2019
Valid 12Z Wed Jul 10 2019 - 12Z Fri Jul 12 2019
...Looming tropical threat in the northern Gulf of Mexico...
...Threat of heavy rainfall will begin to ramp up along the central Gulf Coast...
...Severe thunderstorms possible in the Great Lakes & Southern Plains today and the Northeast on Thursday...
An area of low pressure will move southwest from the Florida Panhandle before slowly strengthening over the warm waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico through Friday while turning more westward. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is forecasting a high chance of this system developing into a tropical depression or tropical storm by Thursday. Please refer to Tropical Weather Outlooks from NHC for the latest on the status of the Gulf low. The low should begin delivering some heavy rainfall to the central Gulf Coast over the next couple days as it drifts slowly west just offshore the central Gulf coast. Outside of the system's circulation, record warm low temperatures are possible across portions of the Southeast and Gulf Coast within a hot and humid summertime air mass.
Another low pressure system moving across the Great Lakes will produce thunderstorms with heavy rain over the Northern Great Lakes and Midwest today/Wednesday and the Northeast on Thursday and Friday. Severe weather is possible with the thunderstorms, with large hail and damaging winds are the primary hazards. Localized flash flooding will also be possible. Cooler weather is expected behind an associated cold front, with highs in the 70s to lower 80s over much of the northern Plains on Wednesday, western Great Lakes on Thursday, and interior portions of the Northeast on Friday.
Increasingly hot temperatures are expected across the western United States with time as the jet stream retreats northward. On Thursday and Friday, high temperatures in the 90s will be commonplace, with 110s and perhaps a 120+ reading or two expected in the Desert Southwest.
Safe travels, you're getting a lot of shxx but I've been enjoying reading about your journey so keep it up.
8am sitting in a bar in Craig MT on the Upper Missouri amidst possibly the best trout fishing in the World. Town is packed w “ahem”,.... White men who hunt and fish and got trucks and boats. Birdwatcher rolls in on a bicycle, really reminded me of this, ‘cept the last fight I was in was like thirty-five years ago, pretty sure I lost, and I ain’t seen any Chinamen in the street (diff’rent story in Yellowstone NP I’m sure)....
Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 256 AM EDT Wed Jul 10 2019
Valid 12Z Wed Jul 10 2019 - 12Z Fri Jul 12 2019
...Looming tropical threat in the northern Gulf of Mexico...
...Threat of heavy rainfall will begin to ramp up along the central Gulf Coast...
...Severe thunderstorms possible in the Great Lakes & Southern Plains today and the Northeast on Thursday...
An area of low pressure will move southwest from the Florida Panhandle before slowly strengthening over the warm waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico through Friday while turning more westward. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is forecasting a high chance of this system developing into a tropical depression or tropical storm by Thursday. Please refer to Tropical Weather Outlooks from NHC for the latest on the status of the Gulf low. The low should begin delivering some heavy rainfall to the central Gulf Coast over the next couple days as it drifts slowly west just offshore the central Gulf coast. Outside of the system's circulation, record warm low temperatures are possible across portions of the Southeast and Gulf Coast within a hot and humid summertime air mass.
Another low pressure system moving across the Great Lakes will produce thunderstorms with heavy rain over the Northern Great Lakes and Midwest today/Wednesday and the Northeast on Thursday and Friday. Severe weather is possible with the thunderstorms, with large hail and damaging winds are the primary hazards. Localized flash flooding will also be possible. Cooler weather is expected behind an associated cold front, with highs in the 70s to lower 80s over much of the northern Plains on Wednesday, western Great Lakes on Thursday, and interior portions of the Northeast on Friday.
Increasingly hot temperatures are expected across the western United States with time as the jet stream retreats northward. On Thursday and Friday, high temperatures in the 90s will be commonplace, with 110s and perhaps a 120+ reading or two expected in the Desert Southwest.
Hey Tks, if I can make it to Cody WY (450 miles) in 10 days I still have the option of a 25 day 1,400 mile dash down the Plains clear to San Antonio fer braggin’ rights, otherwise I’m gonna have to circle back to Great Falls.
Didn’t roll out of Great Falls until nearly 3, which is what can happen when you’re visiting good friends ya ain’t seen in like 15 years.
Had to get out tho to get started, been six days off the bike and I just used up all my wiggle room for this trip. Stiff headwind. Biggest problem tho was wanting to stop and take photos every 100 yards from Cascade on. Heck I lost an hour in Cascade alone. Following the Upper Missouri, friggin’ beautiful. And swift-moving, Lewis and Clark and Co achieved the incredible poling upstream through here.
Rog and Leighton, you guys need to get up here to fish this place.
Friendly people, ya can sit and talk all day, ‘cept they hate cyclists with good reason. Had my first carbon dump from a passing diesel pickup, ‘spect there’ll be more. I hate chicken$hit stunts. I flipped the guy the bird and through gestures I invited him to pull over.
WTF would I do if he had? I gotta learn to ignore such provocations same as I would the weather, dip$hits gonna be dip$hits.
Anyways the nice lady behind the bar who also herds cows on horseback when she ain’t bartending said she seen me on the highway and took me fer a Mexican
Helena is only like 40 miles from here, but between here and there lies prob’ly the steepest, longest climb of the whole trip, gonna be a beeatch.
Slept at one of them four star rest areas God put there years ago so I would come across it just as darkness was closing in. Next one is 60 miles, that tough climb is gonna be about 20 through 30 miles from here. If I can get up that mountain pass, the next 30 miles is prob’ly a cinch
Heading out in the morning to points north and west. The bicycle is all prepped and loaded up. Now all I have to do is pedal it for 40 days and see where I get to. Hoping to make San Angelo(200 miles) in three or four days. Probably going to try for New Mexico first.
Five years ago I did 2000 miles to New York in 33 days, three years ago I did 1500 miles around Europe in 40 days. I have no idea how far I’ll get on this trip, it’s going to be hot and dry and I ain’t actually getting any younger.
At least the weather looks good at this point, highs only in the low 90s all week and the winds out of the south east which means I’ll have them at my back which is a big deal on a bicycle.Looking to make Fredericksburg or Luckenbach by tomorrow night.
Aint making any promises, I am only as good as my knees and back, but I’ll keep folks posted.
Looking forward to the pictures, have a good trip.
Yeah you better be careful about shooting the bird. For starters, the person who offended you is a little bit screwy to begin with. Then, it might turn out that he has a gun, too.
Then, you will find out that "...this ain't Dodge City, and you ain't Bill Hickok."
Yeah you better be careful about shooting the bird. For starters, the person who offended you is a little bit screwy to begin with. Then, it might turn out that he has a gun, too.
Then, you will find out that "...this ain't Dodge City, and you ain't Bill Hickok."
Carbon dump- diesel PU truck dumping extra fuel in engine to smoke out someone they are passing on the HWY.
Yeah you better be careful about shooting the bird. For starters, the person who offended you is a little bit screwy to begin with. Then, it might turn out that he has a gun, too.
Then, you will find out that "...this ain't Dodge City, and you ain't Bill Hickok."
At that particular moment in time, you just don’t GAF.
Yeah you better be careful about shooting the bird. For starters, the person who offended you is a little bit screwy to begin with. Then, it might turn out that he has a gun, too.
Then, you will find out that "...this ain't Dodge City, and you ain't Bill Hickok."
Carbon dump- diesel PU truck dumping extra fuel in engine to smoke out someone they are passing on the HWY.
I have viewed many bikers just like this. What the camera doesn't show is how close to death this dumb ass really is. This is a narrow 2 lane highway with a speed limit of 70 MPH and that oncoming truck isn't as far as it appears due to the wide angle of the lens. Other than despising cyclists, I have no real reason to kill one, but it seems like they will do anything to make you kill them...
A good place to grab a burger is in Wolf Creek and it's right on your way.
West side of Interstate off the just a little past the end of the off-ramp on the right side. Used to be The Frenchman and Me but they changed the name. Maybe Shotgun Annie's or something like that.
I live south of Helena in Clancy so PM me if you get in a bind.
Safe travels, you're getting a lot of shxx but I've been enjoying reading about your journey so keep it up.
Originally Posted by FishN4Eyes
A good place to grab a burger is in Wolf Creek and it's right on your way.
West side of Interstate off the just a little past the end of the off-ramp on the right side. Used to be The Frenchman and Me but they changed the name. Maybe Shotgun Annie's or something like that
Rolled into Craig about 8:30, rolled out about 11, which is how long catching up on photos and the net can take. More’n an hour to cover 6 miles to Wolf Creek, which is what a stiff headwind can do, even took off my hat and ties on the bike ‘cause it was acting like a sail. Only good thing about this headwind is ya don’t gotta brake on the downhills.
It is Shotgun Annies, tho the proprietor was kind enough to send me over to the Oasis Bar because they have WiFi. Turns out WiFi at the Oasis got took out by lightning on the 4th and ain’t back yet. So here I am at Annie’s again. Fish n chips, just excellent
I just had a burger in Craig but this is my last big calorie stop of the day. 1pm now, Nine hours of useful light remaining, i always do my best riding afternoon/evening.
If I’m driving a diesel and you’re on the shoulder on the highway I’m sending a cloud.
And if you flip me off,you’re still the retread being a pedestrian on a fook’n highway.
Sir, my mind is a vast, still, tranquil pool of spiritual contentment. If you feel the need to besmirch your karma by “rolling coal” as we cross paths in this universe then surely we are all one
Tho the Bible DOES teach doing that to me is the same as doing that to Jesus Hisself, in which case you’re fugged.
Anyways, from here on in I’m gonna wave in case it’s Roger.
The official touring bicycle route through this area is over mostly narrow two lane rural blacktop roads. Often with lots of hills, blind curves and along sections of roads with steep drop-offs or ditches sometimes with with crotch-high guardrails and no shoulders wide enough to ride or pull over on. This time of year the weeds and scrub brush usually has grown tall and all of the way out to the pavement edges, too. In many places vehicle drivers can't see bicyclists ahead until they are right on their butt. It's beyond me how they don't get run over and run off into a deep drop-offs and ditches unintentionally all the time.
The official touring bicycle route through this area is over mostly narrow two lane rural blacktop roads. Often with lots of hills, blind curves and along sections of roads with steep drop-offs or ditches sometimes with with crotch-high guardrails and no shoulders wide enough to ride or pull over on. This time of year the weeds and scrub brush usually has grown tall and all of the way out to the pavement edges, too. In many places vehicle drivers can't see bicyclists ahead until they are right on their butt. It's beyond me how they don't get run over and run off into a deep drop-offs and ditches unintentionally all the time.
Because motorists endanger themselves so the dumb fugk can pedal another two hours.
Followed the old road along Wolf Creek, only had to get off and push once. Sitting here in the shade of the underpass where the old road ends and gets back on I 15. Looking up the hill there ain’t a whole lot of mountain left, I might even be able to pedal it. Sipping on a chocolate milk fueling up.
The official touring bicycle route through this area is over mostly narrow two lane rural blacktop roads. Often with lots of hills, blind curves and along sections of roads with steep drop-offs or ditches sometimes with with crotch-high guardrails and no shoulders wide enough to ride or pull over on. This time of year the weeds and scrub brush usually has grown tall and all of the way out to the pavement edges, too. In many places vehicle drivers can't see bicyclists ahead until they are right on their butt. It's beyond me how they don't get run over and run off into a deep drop-offs and ditches unintentionally all the time.
Because motorists endanger themselves so the dumb fugk can pedal another two hours.
You guys ought to be bitchin' about the 85 year old guy that can't see past the hood of his 40' motor home that is pulling a boat behind it, driving all over the road at 33 mph...
Until they start the grade of a mountain pass, and then he slows down to 18 mph...
You guys ought to be bitchin' about the 85 year old guy that can't see past the hood of his 40' motor home that is pulling a boat behind it, driving all over the road at 33 mph...
Until they start the grade of a mountain pass, and then he slows down to 18 mph...
Oh, believe you me, I do bitch.
A lot.
Had a good one the other day, I was car number 9 behind them, and there were a bunch more lined up behind me. Places to pull over too. Interesting factoid, enter the State of Cali Kommiefornia and one of the first signs one sees on the road is "Slower traffic must pull over to allow passing". Not shall, might, will, could. MUST. Guess some folks don't read. Not sure if it's codified, but used to be if one had 5 vehicles stacked up behind one would pull over.
You guys ought to be bitchin' about the 85 year old guy that can't see past the hood of his 40' motor home that is pulling a boat behind it, driving all over the road at 33 mph...
Until they start the grade of a mountain pass, and then he slows down to 18 mph...
If they start a thread about their amazing adventure, I will.
You guys ought to be bitchin' about the 85 year old guy that can't see past the hood of his 40' motor home that is pulling a boat behind it, driving all over the road at 33 mph...
Until they start the grade of a mountain pass, and then he slows down to 18 mph...
Ford couldn't give those Triton V 10 motors away in pickup trucks, so they put them in motor homes, even dumber low torque and 3-4 mpg , what a combo !
Ford couldn't give those Triton V 10 motors away in pickup trucks, so they put them in motor homes, even dumber low torque and 3-4 mpg , what a combo !
Mine got 7 MPG on the way from the Fresno CA area to Eastern WA, uphill, downhill, flat, didn't seem to matter. And it pulled the hills OK...............for a 28' home. Didn't have many folks PO'd at me.
What should a 28’ motor home average for mpg in the hills?
Not sure, I was expecting 9 at least. Thing was nearly empty as all my gear was already up there in the old home I had. And the rest I brought up in my truck.
Five hours and MAYBE 20 miles after leaving Wolf Creek Birdwatcher stands looking down upon thePromised Land (Helena) far below
Toughest day yet. I am whipped, had to push the bike up the last long hill. Might have attempted it this morning but my climbing ability is shot for today.
The bad news is this is gonna be two back to back forty mile days, the good news is Google has it that this was the toughest climb of the whole trip and I was (barely) able to do it.
I would stop for the day here but I’m down to my last 12oz of water and a storm cell is developing to the west. Dunno where I’ll crash for the night, gotta get down the Mach 3 hill first.
You guys ought to be bitchin' about the 85 year old guy that can't see past the hood of his 40' motor home that is pulling a boat behind it, driving all over the road at 33 mph...
Until they start the grade of a mountain pass, and then he slows down to 18 mph...
You guys ought to be bitchin' about the 85 year old guy that can't see past the hood of his 40' motor home that is pulling a boat behind it, driving all over the road at 33 mph...
Until they start the grade of a mountain pass, and then he slows down to 18 mph...
Seems to me he was really (ahem).... well prepared.
Almost got it, the ahem is usually put in quotes as in “ahem”. Turns out it’s in been use since the mid-18th Century but usage really took off since the 1970’s.
Anyways on the topic of the velocity of motorhomes I seen one swaying while pulling a car down Mach3 Hill yesterday so fast it warped into hyperspace before my eyes.
Camped out in Mosquito Acres Redneck RV and Trailer Park fer $20 in Helena last night, but the maintenance guy was kind enough to hook up a long extension chord to bring electric out to my tent and the water in the showers is hot, and there’s a lot of it.
First place I stopped was the new KOA but they ain’t set up for tents yet.
They wanted FIFTY-SEVEN DOLLARS per night for a RV slot with the usual amenities. I suppose that shouldn’t be surprising given I’m paying 20 per for just a tent and power over here at Redneck Central but that works to a whole mortgage payment per month.
Never thought about the costs of ownership/use of those before. My friends in Great Falls are in the process of getting one as I speak, Plan B if I don’t jet back to Texas is to meet them north and west of Cody in a couple of weeks.
Got a teacher friend, him and his wife both teachers, teenage son. Sold his house bought a motor home, had it parked and been living in it for two years now. Hard to see how that makes economic sense, I expect a house ages and holds its value a whole lot better than an RV.
if you are going to flip off a guy in a truck in that part of the world, i would remember the ending of the movie "easy rider" Lots of guns around. As to a carbon dump, one of my major peaves is some guy with the "thump thump" boom box in a car at a traffic light. it's good when you get your diesel exhause right up opposite that open window, and do a "carbon dump". Makes me giggle for miles.
You guys ought to be bitchin' about the 85 year old guy that can't see past the hood of his 40' motor home that is pulling a boat behind it, driving all over the road at 33 mph...
Until they start the grade of a mountain pass, and then he slows down to 18 mph...
if you are going to flip off a guy in a truck in that part of the world, i would remember the ending of the movie "easy rider" Lots of guns around.
Ya well, if the pickup truck driver gets smoked by Dennis Hopper in spandex and a silly helmet, he shoulda thought twice. A few bullet holes and a shot out window in your $45,000 baby, and these things would drop off exponentially.
At the very least I would think common courtesy dictates you pull over after pulling such a chickenshit pu$$y stunt so late in life.
I ain’t talking about me ya understand, I’m a deep well of tranquillity 😎
if you are going to flip off a guy in a truck in that part of the world, i would remember the ending of the movie "easy rider" Lots of guns around.
Ya well, if the pickup truck driver gets smoked by Dennis Hopper in spandex and a silly helmet, he shoulda thought twice. A few bullet holes and a shot out window in your $45,000 baby, and these things would drop off exponentially.
At the very least I would think common courtesy dictates you pull over after pulling such a chickenshit pu$$y stunt so late in life.
I ain’t talking about me ya understand, I’m a deep well of tranquillity 😎
ALL sorts of people ride bicycles, especially older guys, and especially older guys covering serious miles. On a group ride in Texas, I ain’t the only one armed.
Go ride a bike, have a pu$$y dump coal on you, and see what you think.
Sorry. Birdwatcher, but as a someone following your posts from the sidelines, compared to your previous two trips, to me, this trip is sounding more and more like it was a spur-of-the-moment impulse that's turned into a confused sounding -- maybe this - maybe that -- unsure wandering around.
If you’re going slower than me, you’re a doddering old fool
If you’re going faster than me, you’re a menace to society
If you see me on the road follow my lead, I’m driving how fast you should be 👍🏻😂
But what if I want to rollerblade from Chicago to St. Louis?
Will you be patient? I promise to wear a green vest.
Lol you should ask my kids 😂
Patient to a fault, that’s me to a tee 🤦🏼♂️
If you’re rollerblading and I pass you I hope we swap paint.
We’ve a perfectly good bike path that runs along the road we live on. And yet, wait for it, you’ll see spandex clad mofos riding on the road 😡
When you ask why for chissakes are they doing so, they say the bike path has families riding bikes, walking their dogs, jogging etc. and they’re going too slow for their bikes 😳
Share the road my azz, share the path and get off the fing road.
More than a few may have heard from my truck “get off the fing road” my wife is mean like that 🤥
if you are going to flip off a guy in a truck in that part of the world, i would remember the ending of the movie "easy rider" Lots of guns around.
Ya well, if the pickup truck driver gets smoked by Dennis Hopper in spandex and a silly helmet, he shoulda thought twice. A few bullet holes and a shot out window in your $45,000 baby, and these things would drop off exponentially.
At the very least I would think common courtesy dictates you pull over after pulling such a chickenshit pu$$y stunt so late in life.
I ain’t talking about me ya understand, I’m a deep well of tranquillity 😎
Do you ever start daydreaming about being some old time Wild West gunslinger while the hot sun is beating down on you and your 10 speed?
In other words.....if you are gonna be an inconsiderate self centered prick....you had better be courteous about it!
Exactly, besides you’re a big scary-looking sorta-Native, who’s gonna dump coal on you?
Guys here talking about how unsafe it is to confront coal dumpers, yet those same guys dump coal on ‘bangers blasting ghetto music. Most guys on bicycles are too smart to escalate, but who is more likely to be armed and dumb enough to wanna cap yer a$$ than a carload of ‘bangers?
Along the same lines, i’m wondering if the coal dump pu$$ies out there usually dump on carloads of Indians.
Sorry. Birdwatcher, but as a someone following your posts from the sidelines, compared to your previous two trips, to me, this trip is sounding more and more like it was a spur-of-the-moment impulse that's turned into a confused sounding -- maybe this - maybe that -- unsure wandering around.
But, as always, YMMV...
Well I did get to the NM State Line, and I woulda been somewhere on the Plains headed north right now “but noooo” people said, “help your friend” people said.
So here I is working backwards, five days lost and 400 miles added at the other end to get home. Dunno how far I’ll get. Flicker is getting quirky, but when I do take the day to post pics from up here you’ll see it doesn’t really matter how far I get, it’s awesome up here 😎
Sorry. Birdwatcher, but as a someone following your posts from the sidelines, compared to your previous two trips, to me, this trip is sounding more and more like it was a spur-of-the-moment impulse that's turned into a confused sounding -- maybe this - maybe that -- unsure wandering around.
But, as always, YMMV...
Well I did get to the NM State Line, and I woulda been somewhere on the Plains headed north right now “but noooo” people said, “help your friend” people said.
So here I is working backwards. Dunno how far I’ll get. Flicker is getting quirky, but when I do take the day to post pics from up here you’ll see it doesn’t really matter how far I get, it’s awesome up here 😎
The late Col. Cooper on the topic of carjacking said “a car ain’t worth your life, but your dignity is”.
Lots of people have guns.
No worries, deep well of tranquility here 😎
ah mike, i have been enjoying your trip however: I knew col cooper, in later years his eyes were kind of well, different. I am aware you have a little pistola, is it where you can get to it quickly? or deep buried in a pocket on the bike somewhere. Nobody ever said any thing about smoking indians, i like indians, like i actually grew up with apaches. They drive diesels too. as to the gang bangers, most i think realize they would be seriously out gunned by those driving those trucks. You have to assume in arizona anybody in a truck has serious firepower. ask about those gang bangers driving those little rice burners at full rpm with those cheesy noisy mufflers.
Do you ever start daydreaming about being some old time Wild West gunslinger while the hot sun is beating down on you and your 10 speed?
Be honest.
Naah, I suck at fighting, I don’t like to hurt people. But a chicken$hit act of meanness from a Coal Dump Pu$$y like yerself, aimed at anyone used to piss me off, right now.
If you had any balls at all you would stop, but you won’t, because bad things could happen and you would have to meet the people you just smoked.
But now I’m a deep well of tranquility 😎
Satan is a formidable enemy, takes a man and has him act like a pu$$y AND feel good about.
To the original point; what I feel when I’m out there in the sun is “Holy Crap! I can actually do this!” Totally friggin’ awesome to cross a whole friggin’ continent under your own power. Somewhat close to how they did it in the old days, by their own sweat.
My son might be a dumb ass but he ain’t dumb ass enough to ride a bicycle on I-15.
Safest place there is around here, have you seen the backroads? Nother 30 miles and it’s backroads all the way to and through Yellowstone, ain’t looking forward to it.
I don't know if anyone noticed, but at the rate BW is posting, he could have been home by now, but for the time wasted texting. I'm not any more convinced this is a real bike trip any more than Neil walking on the moon 50 years ago. It just can't be true...
I don't know if anyone noticed, but at the rate BW is posting, he could have been home by now, but for the time wasted testing. I'm not any more convinced this is a real bike trip any more than Neil walking on the moon 50 years ago. It just can't be true...
Ya, didn’t roll out of Helena till 1pm, felt like I shoulda took the day off. Currently I’m at the rest area just south of Clancy drinking the Chai I got at the Black Rifle Coffee stand there.
Feeling surprisingly good after a hard start. Maybe two hours to Boulder where I leave the Interstate for a thirty (four to six hour) run on a back road. Will decide at Boulder if I stay there or get started on thebackroad run and just stop along the way.
I hate bicyclesist as bad as the next man, but I'm willing to bet the assplug driving that truck, would have had his ass handed to him by any of the men that could peddle a bike up those hills, for the arogant f~cks that won't get off the road . blacken them,tar them, but just f~cking with people doing what they love to do is just showing what kind of ass we all can be.
Wake the f~ck up people, we all love being out there, in our own ways, showing our asses to those who do it different isn't helping our cause at all.
I hate bicyclesist as bad as the next man, but I'm willing to bet the assplug driving that truck, would have had his ass handed to him by any of the men that could peddle a bike up those hills, for the arogant f~cks that won't get off the road . blacken them,tar them, but just f~cking with people doing what they love to do is just showing what kind of ass we all can be.
Wake the f~ck up people, we all love being out there, in our own ways, showing our asses to those who do it different isn't helping our cause at all.
I don't know where South Peyton is but if you drive mountain roads like that, they are all "arrogant fugks" because there's not enough road to allow you to not hit the bicyclist and the oncoming traffic at the same time. You have to constantly slow to their speeds and wait for zero risk of oncoming traffic.
I hate bicyclesist as bad as the next man, but I'm willing to bet the assplug driving that truck, would have had his ass handed to him by any of the men that could peddle a bike up those hills, for the arogant f~cks that won't get off the road . blacken them,tar them, but just f~cking with people doing what they love to do is just showing what kind of ass we all can be.
Wake the f~ck up people, we all love being out there, in our own ways, showing our asses to those who do it different isn't helping our cause at all.
I don't know where South Peyton is but if you drive mountain roads like that, they are all "arrogant fugks" because there's not enough road to allow you to not hit the bicyclist and the oncoming traffic at the same time. You have to constantly slow to their speeds and wait for zero risk of oncoming traffic.
I don't see a problem with a bicyclist on the road that stays to the right in the margin. I don't get bothered even if they take a little bit of the lane for a short stretch if needed then get back over. As long as they indicate they are conscientious and courteous, I'm good with that. I also don't mind if they are in the lane where the speed limit isn't that great, and they are moving it along, especially if they have a hill and can really scoot.
In that Cummins vs Cyclist video, I didn't see any cyclists infringing on the driving lane. The Cummins driver certainly didn't have any problems getting by them so I don't agree with his rolling coal on them. Cyclists only bother me if they make no effort to make way for vehicles. It's obvious when they are being obnoxious about it and especially so when they have a large group spread out taking one or more lanes.
But if you do keel over.....try and do it outside the lane of traffic.......
Hey I was in the gas station here in Boulder and some young guy comes up to me and says, "Hey I seen you grinding up the pass man that was rad!" his buddy advised me that here at the OZ Motel they got good wifi and they do Which means I can show pics here again sooo....
Quote
But what if I want to rollerblade from Chicago to St. Louis? Will you be patient? I promise to wear a green vest.
Eerie coincidence.....
'Nother eerie coincidence today, do you recall Mittens, from scene two?
OK, back to business, the coolest thing I thought about the City Bar in Great Falls was the bicycle/coffee shop/locksmith next door....
The Celtic Cowboy gets two thumbs up.....
...as does the North 40.....
Finally, the airport in Great Falls uses an actual vintage aircraft as a weather vane
Covered so much ground/taken so many photos in the last three days I hardly know where to begin....
The part of the Great Falls what ain't been covered up....
Heading south out of Great Falls into a stiff headwind, somewhere in this photo is a buffalo jump and a bridge used to film a scene in "The Untouchables"....
This was around 3pm on a Monday, note how packed with traffic I 15 was, pretty much the way its been the whole time....
Further along, the water is the Missouri, in the background was the first notable climb.
Up that hill, a scenic lookout....
Further along, homes along the Missouri, the current is swift, Louis and Clark and Co. musta worked their a$$es off to pole against it.
My home for the night, the rest area just short of Craig. Rain was forecast so I slept on the ground behind the bike. I can sleep most anywhere but an inflatable pillow sure helped. Unpacked my 40F rated sleeping bag and used it like a blanket.
This was in my sheet in the morning, a psuedoscorpion, maybe an inch long......
Just outside of Craig, that's the Dearborn River joining the Missouri from the west, it was soon figured out you could save 400 miles following the Dearborn west than you could following the Missouri which flows from the south all along this stretch....
Drift boats for fly fishing piled up in Craig, ain't seen drift boats since the the Upper Delaware on my NY bike trip. The rancher lady at the bar said if ya can't catch trout on the Missouri ya can't catch 'em anywhere.... Meanwhile up at Wolf Creek a couple of local guys said everyone fishing at Craig are from somewhere else, you can tell because they catch fish and then just let 'em go.....
Two thumbs up for this place, open at 8am and free WiFi, a local rancher lady tends the bar in her spare time. Good coffee and all the good conversation ya can handle, makes me sad tho to be around the local alcoholics getting their morning fix. Like everybody else, the rancher lady did observe that Montana is being bought up by Californians at an alarming rate.....
Among the graffiti on the porch, the words of a sage....
At the places I've been so far Montana is the land of happy dogs, this one in Craig reminded me so much of the late lamented best dog in the world in my avatar that I took her photo...
Climbing up Wolf Creek along the old road, I figured the smaller the creek got, the closer I was to the top...
Coming back onto the Interstate, the top had to be close, I mean how much mountain was left?
At the top; this is how they mark traffic fatalities in Montana. Elegantly simple I thought...
I was figuring to jet back down after reaching the top, but the road opened up onto about eight to ten miles of high mountain meadows.
Had to push the bike up about the last mile to the second high pass on the other side, I was dead beat and almost out of water but I made it, here looking down from near the top of Mac 3 Hill...
Almost rode right by the booming megalopolis of Clancy but this sign made me stop in, Black Rifle Coffee, ain't that the official coffee of the 'Fire? Sign was so small tho I dunno how many regular motorists would notice....
Two miles above Clancy, maybe the coolest rest area in the world, with a sign celebrating the bad language used by teamsters back in the muleskinner days Sadly a sign at the previous rest area at the end of Day One said this rest area was gonna be torn down and made just a picnic area, hopefully the sign can stay...
OK, I was beat from yesterday so I didn't roll out of Helena until 1pm, it was hot, and tho I rolled out of Helena without it, I stopped first chance I got to fill the 3L CamelBack bladder to carry in addition to the six 24oz water bottles I was carrying. I recalled running out the day before and how worrying that was, in addition to being a PITA. That bladder has to sit high in the bag to avoid getting crushed, and it always feels like about the last straw. With all that water my loaded bike has gotta weigh on the far side of 90lbs.
Here's how I spent my afternoon, pedalling up from that far low background down around Helena, to the top of the pass, never woulda thought it possible.
Rolling down the far side towards Boulder MT...
Just about a 30 mile day, maybe. I am learning that in the mountains 30 or 40 miles a day is what I'm likely to get, on the flats I'd expect 60 or 70.
I continue to be enormously impressed by the locals here in Montana
It had to be unbelievable for Lewis and Clark seeing that country for the first time!
...and on the way back, John Coulter asks to be cut loose, turns around, goes back UP the Missouri and discovers Coulter's Hell, AKA the Yellowstone Caldera. One tough futhermucker for sure.
I just want to get to Old Faithful, take a photo, and be on my way. That's 178 miles from here, most of it uphill, with at least two climbs on a par with today.
Six days if I'm lucky, more likely seven, possibly eight or more.
From there 112 miles to Cody, including a hard 30 mile climb up that famous valley with all the buffalo, moose and wolves and grizzlies.
On the positive side, ever'body knows its mountain lions that take out weary cyclists and not buffalo, moose, wolves or grizzlies
Don't think I'm gonna make it to Cody in time to jet down the plains back to San Antonio, Lubbock remains a possibility, and I could fly back from there.
Ya, Google says its all downhill to L&C Caverns SP. I hope so.
Stopped at Boulder maybe 7:00pm, checked into the motel about 7:30 started to work on photos. Drank a Pepsi to stay awake, dunno what happened but it kept me awake until like 3am. Somewhat sleep-deprived today.
Anyways, the OZ Motel here in downtown Boulder, I give it two thumbs up.
If you can find you one, Osprey bladders are way better than CB. They have a plastic back on them and don't slump or bind. I do prefer the CB bite-valve however.
I coulda taken 287 from Helena to Three Forks along the Missouri and avoided that climb but the uber bike nerd website says places along that road suck for bicycles, heavy traffic no shoulder. Gonna be another late start 'cause I'm tired but 40 miles to Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park oughtta be doable. After that you rejoin 287 for a steep climb to Norris.
Birdie, a song for you. Put the Jimmie Rogers CD in this morning, this was first on the disc. Thought about you "Away out on the Mountain":
Wish I was traveling along.....................................in the support vehicle...........................but not for the rapid decelerations!
Clark, or whichever one you are today.........................do you like boats? Wake/Funeral/Memorial Svc will be out in the Pacific if I can arrange for burial at sea. Bring your own booze.
5:30pm Cardwell MT at the gas station on the Interstate, I’m just crossing it this time not following. 5 1/2 hours for 33 miles, mostly downhill, but was bucking a strong headwind all the way. Plus I stopped and slept for an hour in the grass by the roadside.
The road followed the Boulder River Valley, interesting ride, and I swear in Montana ya want to stop and take a photo every 100 yards.
7 miles (1 hour) to Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park, 128 miles to Yellowstone, there’s a storm where I wanna go right now, gonna have to sit here and wait it out, four hours of daylight remaining.
what's the issue with riding in the rain? getting wet? cars can't see you? don't have rain gear? all of the above? do you have a plan for an all day storm, or is that not an issue?
This was in my sheet in the morning, a psuedoscorpion, maybe an inch long......
First thing I would do is take a bath more than once a month. There isn't anything like that north of the southern border of Wyoming. If that was in your bed, it fell off of you...
what's the issue with riding in the rain? getting wet? cars can't see you? don't have rain gear? all of the above? do you have a plan for an all day storm, or is that not an issue?
This was in my sheet in the morning, a psuedoscorpion, maybe an inch long......
First thing I would do is take a bath more than once a month. There isn't anything like that north of the southern border of Wyoming. If that was in your bed, it fell off of you...
what's the issue with riding in the rain? getting wet? cars can't see you? don't have rain gear? all of the above? do you have a plan for an all day storm, or is that not an issue?
Lightning strikes would be my first guess.
That and high winds and hail, plus the knowledge that it’ll be passing shortly.
I can and have ridden in other forms of rain like the UK tour three years back. Less pleasant, more dangerous.
what's the issue with riding in the rain? getting wet? cars can't see you? don't have rain gear? all of the above? do you have a plan for an all day storm, or is that not an issue?
Lightning strikes would be my first guess.
That and high winds and hail, plus the knowledge that it’ll be passing shortly.
I can and have ridden in other forms of rain like the UK tour three years back. Less pleasant, more dangerous.
What are you doing up a this hour? Get some rest Man!
what's the issue with riding in the rain? getting wet? cars can't see you? don't have rain gear? all of the above? do you have a plan for an all day storm, or is that not an issue?
Lightning strikes would be my first guess.
That and high winds and hail, plus the knowledge that it’ll be passing shortly.
I can and have ridden in other forms of rain like the UK tour three years back. Less pleasant, more dangerous.
What are you doing up a this hour? Get some rest Man!
He doesn't get going until 11 in the morning.. but he needs to get to Colorado ASAP to catch his ride back to Texas
Cells finally cleared an hour before sunset headed towards L&C Caverns. OMG I’ve been stopping to take photos all day and then the Jefferson River Canton turns out to be off the scale too, right after you ride past where L&C shot two elk in 1805 and where Father DeSmet celebrated Mass with the Salishe Indians in 1840.
Campground was full, worked out a deal with a family from Tennessee where I bought the beer in return for sharing the campsite.
1:30am, everyone sleeping, beautiful moonlit night, poorwill calling from across the canyon.
Long as we don’t get hit by a war party we’re good. Do the Blackfeet fight at night? I forget.
Brief update since my last one got lost in cyberspace.
Day 5: 38 miles 195 total.
Disappointing day, held up repeatedly by storms training off the mountains to the SW.
6pm at Norris, brief break I make an attempt to make it a 50 mile day to Ennis. No such luck. Put up tent by the roadside in the nick of time. Gilligan’s frickin Island for the next thirty minutes. Just wind after that. Slept like a baby.
Two hours (12 miles) to Ennis, 50-70 miles to the next for-sure town after that, will prob’ly be roadsiding it tonight again.
OK Campfire Weenies, laptop battery life is short so this gotta be quick....
Met this couple when I was heading south out of Boulder, don't laugh, these folks are well known as Uber Studs among the long range bicycle crowd. They were travelling the Continental Divide Mountain Bike Trail south to north, most of it on dirt, IIRC 1,500 miles going days without seeing anyone, 72 days
Who was asking about dogs? Weiner dogs fit on most any ATV.....
Looking south down the Boulder River Valley....
This is actually a picture of a bird house. Mountain Bluebirds
I’ve been quietly watching this thread and enjoying it immensely. Thanks for taking the time to share your adventures with us. I’m not ashamed to admit that despite the age difference there’s no way on God’s green earth that I’d ride a bicycle and go to the trouble that you’re going through Birdy. I am more of “set the cruise control on the truck and enjoy the drive” kinda guy. I do admire your ambition! Have a safe rest of your journey. 👍
Not a chance, bird pics with iPhones come out as smudgy dots anyway.
Major cell with hail in Ennis after I left, another storm just missed me going into Cameron.
LeftCameron going south and a guy parked in his new truck dodging hail shows me another major cell was gonna be right where we were at shortly. Nothing for it but to “run” south (at 7 to 10mph JUST beat the outskirts (so far), gale force downdrafts gave me a tailwind.
Storms training over the mountains to the west finally caught up a bit after the “palisades” rock faces on the upper Madison, but sorta minor compared to the ones I was able to avoid.
I was gonna ride till dark tho pitching in the wet when wet followed by lows in the upper 40’s might not be fun.
Lo and behold, ninety minutes before dark, 56 miles from this morning, in the rain, quite unexpectedly a rest area appears 😎
Shelter, power outlets and drinking water, even decent phone coverage 🙂
If all goes well thirty eight miles to West Yellowstone could put me at Old Faithful the day after tomorrow.
I haven’t really followed your trip, but what states have u visited?
I left San Antonio with the intention of riding to Yellowstone to finish and fly home from a good friend’s house in Great Falls.
Had choice of two routes; up the Plains or through NM and the Colorado Rockies. Made it 400+ miles to the NM State Line at Hobbs when it became apparent that the heat and inclines would take forever. Turned north, jetted 80 miles to Lubbock in a day.
By weird chance my buddy’s wife was in Lubbock finishing a course, she asked me to help her drive to Great Falls so I did.
That whole process cost me five travel days so now I’m started from the top end working south. If I make it to Cody WY by the 20th that leaves me 25 days to cover the 1,400 miles back to San Antonio for bragging rights. I’ve done 2,000 in 33 days before.
Other choice is head north out of Cody to meet my friends out of Great Falls somewhere, kick back and enjoy their company.
25 days back to San Antonio @ about $60/day would set me back about $1,500- $2,000. Flying me and the bike back from Great Falls would cost about $500, prob’ly less.
So, if’n I DO get to Cody (200 miles) on time I’ll decide then. I gotta say riding south July/August would suck, but then, there’s bragging rights......
Storms training over the mountains to the west finally caught up a bit after the “palisades” rock faces on the upper Madison, but sorta minor compared to the ones I was able to avoid.
I was gonna ride till dark tho pitching in the wet when wet followed by lows in the upper 40’s might not be fun.
Lo and behold, ninety minutes before dark, 56 miles from this morning, in the rain, quite unexpectedly a rest area appears 😎
Shelter, power outlets and drinking water, even decent phone coverage 🙂
If all goes well thirty eight miles to West Yellowstone could put me at Old Faithful the day after tomorrow.
Storms training over the mountains to the west finally caught up a bit after the “palisades” rock faces on the upper Madison, but sorta minor compared to the ones I was able to avoid.
I was gonna ride till dark tho pitching in the wet when wet followed by lows in the upper 40’s might not be fun.
Lo and behold, ninety minutes before dark, 56 miles from this morning, in the rain, quite unexpectedly a rest area appears 😎
Shelter, power outlets and drinking water, even decent phone coverage 🙂
If all goes well thirty eight miles to West Yellowstone could put me at Old Faithful the day after tomorrow.
Must be all my clean livin’
Glad to hear you found a safe shelter out of the rain. Keep on trucking to Yellowstone!
Ya I know, heck, tell most people “I rode to New Mexico” and that does it already
A new wrinkle: sitting here wet at about 60F inside the rest area (Montana has really good ones) I suddenly got a case of the shivers, easily fixed with dry clothes and especially my awesome wool sweater.
My little tent holds a small but significant amount of body heat, I got a 40F rated bag, a large cotton bedsheet and can sleep fully clothed including sweater.
In Yellowstone lows are in the thirties w 50% chance of showers which around here I take to mean I’m gonna be wet at the end of the day, maybe camping in the rain.
Then too there’s an 8,000ft pass heading east out of Yellowstone.
Haven’t had to think about hypothermia in a long time. They say West Yellowstone just outside the park is a crowded zoo of tourists. Maybe I’ll look for a wool blanket when I’m there.
How many calories do you need to consume a day for a trip like this?
I’m not sure but you feel it pretty quick if you don’t eat, like right away, and when you do eat it’s like it falls into a bottomless pit.
At the end of the day I’ll eat about 30oz of a granola/oatmeal mix with a half gallon of milk and stop the next day for the biggest, greasiest breakfast I can find.
Basically you can eat as much as you want and still lose weight.
How many calories do you need to consume a day for a trip like this?
I’m not sure but you feel it pretty quick if you don’t eat, like right away, and when you do eat it’s like it falls into a bottomless pit.
At the end of the day I’ll eat about 30oz of a granola/oatmeal mix with a half gallon of milk and stop the next day for the biggest, greasiest breakfast I can find.
Basically you can eat as much as you want and still lose weight.
How many calories do you think you burn on an average day?
11am finally rolling out after laying everything out to dry.
A local told me that two years back there was a big drug bust at this idyllic place, a bunch of Cops complete with bells and whistles laid on intercepting a 2am transfer of 400lbs of meth.
Also, 20 miles up the road at Hebden Lake bighorn sheep are supposed to be all over.
Turns out Forrest Gump was right; about thirty minutes along I come across a Campfire member (Dave AKA Timbermaster) waiting by the side of the road waiting for me.
Now, at times like this you really do reap what you sow, I mean some guys here are so widely disliked they coulda just been run over, or else left tied to a tree in Griz Country covered in BBQ sauce.
But, since I'm usually polite to folks here, Dave (not the d&&khead, I mean another Dave) was concerned, offers me a ride to West Yellowstone AND gives me a down sleeping bag
See, Haysoos looks after His own sometimes
Drives me thirty miles here in return for which he graciously allow me to buy him lunch.
Some may call this cheating but the rules plainly state that when some guy you've never met drives 60 miles out of his way to help ya out, ya get a free 30 miles.
I didn't ask Dave if I could post his photo here so I won't, but here is a photo of one of the coolest guys on the 'Fire on his bicycle, BFE Montana.....
Dave (the cool one, not the other one) waited along this stretch, it really was a thirty mile haul through nowhere up them mountains to get to the Caldera....
Backing up, the view into the Madison River Valley yesterday morning....
Main street Ennis, and the Shedhorn, a freakin' awesome outdoors/gun store....
Riders on the road yesterday, all going north (I/m headed south)
Two 72yo Australians, Yorktown VA to Astoria OR, 3,500 miles. They said they were doing it while they still could, same as me.....
The storm cell in back was on its way to dump half-inch hail on Ennis, they must rode right into it, I ain't worried. Of note, they noticed my very useful copper Alamo re-enactor cup tied to me bag, said they used 'em in Australia too.
Most unexpected, two girls from Chicago, blitzing around Yellowstone and Montana, another storm cell we all just missed in the background....
A mountain bluebird....
A typical storm cell, crossing the valley west to east...
Enter in 180lb male, 90lb bicycle, a crapload of hills.
Ballpark guessing your height @ 5'-8", and averaging between 10 - 12 miles an hour, 62 years old, bare-bones bicycle (entry for weight of extra gear not included in calculator), it's showing approximately 470 calories burned per hour of continuous peddling.
(Entry for type and grades of terrain not included in calculator, either.)
Less than 10 mph calories burned drops considerably --- average of 7 mph = 277.calories burned.
Turns out Forrest Gump was right; about thirty minutes along I come across a Campfire member (Dave AKA Timbermaster) waiting by the side of the road waiting for me.
Now, at times like this you really do reap what you sow, I mean some guys here are so widely disliked they coulda just been run over, or else left tied to a tree in Griz Country covered in BBQ sauce.
But, since I'm usually polite to folks here, Dave (not the d&&khead, I mean another Dave) was concerned, offers me a ride to West Yellowstone AND gives me a down sleeping bag
See, Haysoos looks after his own sometimes
Drives me thirty miles here in return for which he graciously allow me to buy him lunch.
Some may call this cheating but the rules plainly state that when some guy you've never met drives 60 miles out of his way to help ya out, ya get a free 30 miles.
I didn't ask Dave if I could post his photo here so I won't, but here is a photo of one of the coolest guys on the 'Fire on his bicycle, BFE Montana.....
Dave (the cool one, not the other one) waited along this stretch, it really was a thirty mile haul through nowhere up them mountains to get to the Caldera....
Backing up, the view into the Madison River Valley yesterday morning....
Main street Ennis, and the Shedhorn, a freakin' awesome outdoors/gun store....
This what it looks like when you almost get jumped by a storm cell...
What's it worth to ya to be able to shoot elk off of the back porch.....
We was getting rained on, lightning was flashing, these guys were in a metal boat in a river in a lightning storm, OTOH they did reel in a big trout while I watched
The triathlon I attended (did not race) on Saturday the winner swam about a mile at a 1:19/100 yards, a 25 mile bike at 26.4 mph, and ended with 6.2 miles at 5:30/mile. You might argue that's a TOTALLY different endeavor and you would be right, but you could probably learn.
Turns out Forrest Gump was right; about thirty minutes along I come across a Campfire member (Dave AKA Timbermaster) waiting by the side of the road waiting for me.
Now, at times like this you really do reap what you sow, I mean some guys here are so widely disliked they coulda just been run over, or else left tied to a tree in Griz Country covered in BBQ sauce.
But, since I'm usually polite to folks here, Dave (not the d&&khead, I mean another Dave) was concerned, offers me a ride to West Yellowstone AND gives me a down sleeping bag
See, Haysoos looks after his own sometimes
Drives me thirty miles here in return for which he graciously allow me to buy him lunch.
Some may call this cheating but the rules plainly state that when some guy you've never met drives 60 miles out of his way to help ya out, ya get a free 30 miles.
I didn't ask Dave if I could post his photo here so I won't, but here is a photo of one of the coolest guys on the 'Fire on his bicycle, BFE Montana.....
Dave (the cool one, not the other one) waited along this stretch, it really was a thirty mile haul through nowhere up them mountains to get to the Caldera....
Backing up, the view into the Madison River Valley yesterday morning....
Main street Ennis, and the Shedhorn, a freakin' awesome outdoors/gun store....
That’s awesome!
Look me up when you get to Massachusetts.
Will do, by then I'll really be needing a pair of 8x42 Swarovskis to continue my journey....
The triathlon I attended (did not race) on Saturday the winner swam about a mile at a 1:19/100 yards, a 25 mile bike at 26.4 mph, and ended with 6.2 miles at 5:30/mile. You might argue that's a TOTALLY different endeavor and you would be right, but you could probably learn.
You stood out this one to give the other guys a chance....
Enter in 180lb male, 90lb bicycle, a crapload of hills.
Ballpark guessing your height @ 5'-8", and averaging between 10 - 12 miles an hour, 62 years old, bare-bones bicycle (entry for weight of extra gear not included in calculator), it's showing approximately 470 calories burned per hour of continuous peddling.
(Entry for type and grades of terrain not included in calculator, either.)
Less than 10 mph calories burned drops considerably --- average of 7 mph = 277.calories burned.
Tks for going to the time and trouble
I'd ballpark 300-450 calories per hour.
When John Coulter passed through this country in 1806 he was ballparking about 500 an hour, well not him his horse.
Went off the scale though when he was chased nekkid by them Blackfeet.
Actually, while El Guapo wears his hat anywhere he choozes, a gentleman always removes his hat indoors. I also eat my peas with an upside-down fork, that's what a Brit upbringing will do for ya.
It was a real pleasure meeting and speaking with Birdwatcher today! We had great conversation over lunch in W. Yellowstone, discussing our kids, hunting, other fire members, his bicycling adventures, you know... the same stuff we talk about here at the fire. Good luck Mike, hope you avoid the hail and rain on the rest of your adventure, and may a greasy breakfast always be near. I’ll do my best to make it to that hog hunt next year!
OK, got a camping spot in the legendary KOA Gulag outside of West Yellowstone, one of the last ones they had, for only $55 per.
They asked me did I mind dogs????
Gonna see if'n I can scare up a haircut and a full body wax here in town before I ride six miles retrograde. Used to be flat but of late its increasingly downhill here in the Caldera.
It was a real pleasure meeting and speaking with Birdwatcher today! We had great conversation over lunch in W. Yellowstone, discussing our kids, hunting, other fire members, his bicycling adventures, you know... the same stuff we talk about here at the fire. Good luck Mike, hope you avoid the hail and rain on the rest of your adventure, and may a greasy breakfast always be near. I’ll do my best to make it to that hog hunt next year!
Dude! You get 100 sleeping bags in Heaven now!
The hog hunt rocks and you are welcome in Tejas anytime.
Gonna see if'n I can scare up a haircut and a full body wax here in town before I ride six miles retrograde. Used to be flat but of late its increasingly downhill here in the Caldera.
Gonna see if'n I can scare up a haircut and a full body wax here in town before I ride six miles retrograde. Used to be flat but of late its increasingly downhill here in the Caldera.
Gonna see if'n I can scare up a haircut and a full body wax here in town before I ride six miles retrograde. Used to be flat but of late its increasingly downhill here in the Caldera.
The triathlon I attended (did not race) on Saturday the winner swam about a mile at a 1:19/100 yards, a 25 mile bike at 26.4 mph, and ended with 6.2 miles at 5:30/mile. You might argue that's a TOTALLY different endeavor and you would be right, but you could probably learn.
Anyways I’m here at the KOA Gulag trying to decide if I need to shower, I just had one back in Boulder. Likewise I did laundry in Lubbock right before we left.
I am happy to report that Mormons are still having kids, I am somewhat less happy to report that Yellowstone appears to be a popular destination in Salt Lake this year. The few Chinese Nationals here appear to be uneasy, not used to being outnumbered.
Tonight I am going to sleep out in my spiffy new sleeping bag 😎 so I can jet outta here at first light. Eat breakfast in West Yellowstone, mail off the black bear stuffed toy and then find out how best to cover the remaining 32 miles to Old Faithful and figure out where I’m gonna sleep tomorrow.
Watch out for Bison crossing the road. You cain’t roller skate in a Buffalo herd. 😜
No worries all ya gotta do is get back in your vehicle.
I still gotta figure out how to cover the 27 miles to that 8,000 foot pass to Cody in a couple of days, after that the remaining 70 miles are literally all downhill.
No barbers in W Yellowstone either, just three ladies “by appointment only”, I grow increasingly unkempt.
Rolling coal on arrogant bikers in spandex and hippy swag still makes me happy. I loathe the self righteous idiots here.....
OK, I’ll cut you some slack on Californians. Lots of em here too.
I woke last night to the sound of thunder, how far off I lay and wondered.
Rolled up the spiffy new bag and jetted into town, JUST beat the tourist herds at the first breakfast place I found, gonna go look for a post office.
The Kid just gave ol’Grampa here a FaceTime call, life is good.
I gotta say sitting outside the store in the largest KOA in America, it was a trip to hear so many languages spoken, got to mangle French with some folks from there.
Perfect weather this morning, right then, off into the touron maelstrom......
Naw. You put up a tough fight. Truth is we both hunt and shoot, loathe liberals, and value our time in the outdoors. I don't know why I suddenly went 180 but we could do a lot worse than each other. I get tired of fighting.
Naw. You put up a tough fight. Truth is we both hunt and shoot, loathe liberals, and value our time in the outdoors. I don't know why I suddenly went 180 but we could do a lot worse than each other. I get tired of fighting.
Naw. You put up a tough fight. Truth is we both hunt and shoot, loathe liberals, and value our time in the outdoors. I don't know why I suddenly went 180 but we could do a lot worse than each other. I get tired of fighting.
I am available at your behest to indoctrinate you in the correct and timely usage of the language of the land..............the land North of the border for next 2 or three years at least.
Should you not desire to avail yourself of a personal instructor in the fine art of usage of an abundant vocabulary, I am positive I can find links to sources of literature (books and such in case that word is unknown to you) that might provide you with a jumping off point in your effort to please other Hunter's Campfire forum readers by increasing the word count in your posts.
It really isn't hard to use more words than necessary to get a point across, or to expound on a topic. Great authors and orators have been doing it for millennia, in various languages and forms. From such classics as the Illiad, The Epic of Gilgamesh, and such, right up to Tom Clancy and Steven King novels, and let's not forget Gabriel Garcia Marquez and other foreign writers.
Travis, Dave,Clark etc, you might be taken more seriously around here if you were to become a bit more verbose. Some folks here appear to be under the impression that you are joking around on many occasions. Especially in your replies to certain other members here. It's possible you are being misunderstood due to the paucity of nouns, verbs, and prepositions in your posts.
Geno
PS, I laugh at some of the memes you toss out.............or are the GIFs? Vids?
I am available at your behest to indoctrinate you in the correct and timely usage of the language of the land..............the land North of the border for next 2 or three years at least.
Should you not desire to avail yourself of a personal instructor in the fine art of usage of an abundant vocabulary, I am positive I can find links to sources of literature (books and such in case that word is unknown to you) that might provide you with a jumping off point in your effort to please other Hunter's Campfire forum readers by increasing the word count in your posts.
It really isn't hard to use more words than necessary to get a point across, or to expound on a topic. Great authors and orators have been doing it for millennia, in various languages and forms. From such classics as the Illiad, The Epic of Gilgamesh, and such, right up to Tom Clancy and Steven King novels, and let's not forget Gabriel Garcia Marquez and other foreign writers.
Travis, Dave,Clark etc, you might be taken more seriously around here if you were to become a bit more verbose. Some folks here appear to be under the impression that you are joking around on many occasions. Especially in your replies to certain other members here. It's possible you are being misunderstood due to the paucity of nouns, verbs, and prepositions in your posts.
Geno
PS, I laugh at some of the memes you toss out.............or are the GIFs? Vids?
I am available at your behest to indoctrinate you in the correct and timely usage of the language of the land..............the land North of the border for next 2 or three years at least.
Should you not desire to avail yourself of a personal instructor in the fine art of usage of an abundant vocabulary, I am positive I can find links to sources of literature (books and such in case that word is unknown to you) that might provide you with a jumping off point in your effort to please other Hunter's Campfire forum readers by increasing the word count in your posts.
It really isn't hard to use more words than necessary to get a point across, or to expound on a topic. Great authors and orators have been doing it for millennia, in various languages and forms. From such classics as the Illiad, The Epic of Gilgamesh, and such, right up to Tom Clancy and Steven King novels, and let's not forget Gabriel Garcia Marquez and other foreign writers.
Travis, Dave,Clark etc, you might be taken more seriously around here if you were to become a bit more verbose. Some folks here appear to be under the impression that you are joking around on many occasions. Especially in your replies to certain other members here. It's possible you are being misunderstood due to the paucity of nouns, verbs, and prepositions in your posts.
Geno
PS, I laugh at some of the memes you toss out.............or are the GIFs? Vids?
Hey, he's one of them overpaid underworked teachers Jim. He can afford a $55 a night tent site at the local KOA, he can probably afford a wool blanket from Tibet, made from a heifer yak. Or maybe one from virgin guanaco wool, woven by the last of the Inca children.
Birdy do you post while riding your bike? or you stop that often? when I get to the office in the mornings, I get my coffee and look for your thread updates. keep it up.
Naw. You put up a tough fight. Truth is we both hunt and shoot, loathe liberals, and value our time in the outdoors. I don't know why I suddenly went 180 but we could do a lot worse than each other. I get tired of fighting.
I am available at your behest to indoctrinate you in the correct and timely usage of the language of the land..............the land North of the border for next 2 or three years at least.
Should you not desire to avail yourself of a personal instructor in the fine art of usage of an abundant vocabulary, I am positive I can find links to sources of literature (books and such in case that word is unknown to you) that might provide you with a jumping off point in your effort to please other Hunter's Campfire forum readers by increasing the word count in your posts.
It really isn't hard to use more words than necessary to get a point across, or to expound on a topic. Great authors and orators have been doing it for millennia, in various languages and forms. From such classics as the Illiad, The Epic of Gilgamesh, and such, right up to Tom Clancy and Steven King novels, and let's not forget Gabriel Garcia Marquez and other foreign writers.
Travis, Dave,Clark etc, you might be taken more seriously around here if you were to become a bit more verbose. Some folks here appear to be under the impression that you are joking around on many occasions. Especially in your replies to certain other members here. It's possible you are being misunderstood due to the paucity of nouns, verbs, and prepositions in your posts.
Geno
PS, I laugh at some of the memes you toss out.............or are the GIFs? Vids?
hard to find a fleece blanket now Birdie, you passed the last Walmart for miles. Pendleton blanket will set you back an arm and a leg in the tourist towns. Keep on rolling.
National Park probably has lousy/non-existent wi-fi. He'll weigh in soon with some more beautiful pics, some interesting stories, and some observations only he would make.
Mike, you get down here - call me. 505-617-1342. I'll buy you a meal, and maybe some adult beverages. Might even be able to put a roof over your scraggly head!
Naw. You put up a tough fight. Truth is we both hunt and shoot, loathe liberals, and value our time in the outdoors. I don't know why I suddenly went 180 but we could do a lot worse than each other. I get tired of fighting.
I'm so happy for you two.. I promised myself I wouldn't cry..
I am available at your behest to indoctrinate you in the correct and timely usage of the language of the land..............the land North of the border for next 2 or three years at least.
Should you not desire to avail yourself of a personal instructor in the fine art of usage of an abundant vocabulary, I am positive I can find links to sources of literature (books and such in case that word is unknown to you) that might provide you with a jumping off point in your effort to please other Hunter's Campfire forum readers by increasing the word count in your posts.
It really isn't hard to use more words than necessary to get a point across, or to expound on a topic. Great authors and orators have been doing it for millennia, in various languages and forms. From such classics as the Illiad, The Epic of Gilgamesh, and such, right up to Tom Clancy and Steven King novels, and let's not forget Gabriel Garcia Marquez and other foreign writers.
Travis, Dave,Clark etc, you might be taken more seriously around here if you were to become a bit more verbose. Some folks here appear to be under the impression that you are joking around on many occasions. Especially in your replies to certain other members here. It's possible you are being misunderstood due to the paucity of nouns, verbs, and prepositions in your posts.
Geno
PS, I laugh at some of the memes you toss out.............or are the GIFs? Vids?
Naw. You put up a tough fight. Truth is we both hunt and shoot, loathe liberals, and value our time in the outdoors. I don't know why I suddenly went 180 but we could do a lot worse than each other. I get tired of fighting.
Hey Birdie, where are ya ? Hopefully on that long downhill stretch to Cody!
The most remarkable thing; I hit that pass in Yellowstone at 8,600 ft around 1pm and ain’t had to hardly pedal since, 50-55 free miles with a strong west wind at my back. Still windy, at least 90 minutes of daylight left but I figure there ain’t gonna be anywhere cheap in Cody. So I stopped at Buffalo Bill State Park.
No WiFi no phone service in Yellowstone, the way it was explained to me is there’s only one tower for the whole place so you get bars like you got a signal but that one tower is overwhelmed by volume. No idea the truth of it. Anyways Verizon is the only service that gets anything at all, I couldnt even text.
Rolled into Yellowstone NP around 10am amid the long lines of cars and RVs, a kazillion families on vacation, sorta impatient, prob’ly wishing a lot of the other folks had gone somewhere else this year. 30 miles give or take from West Yellowstone to Old Faithful, passed a bunch of other geyser and steaming areas but I was on a mission.
The Old Faithful area is all built up; museum type place, hotel, restaurants. I had an hour to the next eruption (about every 90 minutes). The place I ate was packed, the wait was long, and the food both expensive and awful.
Waited with the crowds (next to a nice retired couple from Nebraska), seen it go off, time to move on. Except I couldn’t. Friggin’ storm cells again. Next place I needed to be was Grant’s Village on Yellowstone Lake, 17 miles away over 8,000+ ft Craig Pass. So, waiting three hours for the rain to clear I got to see Old Faithful go off twice more, and I’m glad I did, ya gotta experience the regularity of the thing to really appreciate it.
Clouds, storm cells ain’t letting up, finally late in the day, fuggit, I take my chances and head out. Getting dark by the time I make the Continental Divide at 8,000 whatever. Then it begins to rain, gets dark, lightning. First night in Yellowstone and I’m on a bicycle at night on a narrow winding road in the rain and thunder at 8,000ft.
The road takes forever, I gotta go slow ‘cause I can’t see chit. Once in a while cars pass by, I bail off the road surface, once in a while some honk their horn like I don’t know I’m on a narrow windy road at 8,000ft at night on a bicycle in the rain
At friggin’ last the road begins to head downhill, the traffic has died but I still gotta go slow because I can’t see chit, my headlight is ok but it’s only “hey-don’t-run-over-me” spec, not “don’t-hit-a-Buffalo-in-Yellowstone” floodlight.
It occurs to me that Yellowstone is famous for its bears. It also occurs to me the grizzlies are famously irritable when surprised. I guessed that one of the best ways to surprise a bear would be on a bicycle at night in the rain.
So for like the last hour I’m singing out ditties like “John Jakob Jinglehiemer-Schmidt” ( I tried it but I found “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall” required too much concentration).
It was friggin DARK, and wet, all I got is this little tunnel of light from my bike headlight. Finally I locate the campground like 10:30, it’s all dark, and wet.
I find the campground office, the check-in walkway is sheltered and dry, plus there’s a porch light. Hikers and cyclists get cut rates and don’t need reservations. I park the bike under the light by way of explanation and lay out my cotton bedsheet on the concrete walk, inflate the pillow (those things rock😎). Until later on when the temperature got down around 40 the skeeters were bad, so I unzipped the bag Timbermaster gave me and slept under it, covering my head.
I was warm and dry but hey this was Yellowstone, I could be jumped by a griz any moment, so kept spray and (concealed) firearm close at hand. Slept well.
hard to find a fleece blanket now Birdie, you passed the last Walmart for miles. Pendleton blanket will set you back an arm and a leg in the tourist towns. Keep on rolling.
Hmm.... catching flack and ridicule about wanting wool.
You guys might be out of the loop, reenactors got wool all over, so do the websites that supply em.
Turkey Foot Trading Co, my go to wool blanket place....
Check out the Norwegian and Israeli milsurp. 100% wool, 3lb, $35. Every mountain resort I’ve been to has its token “Mountain Man” store, that’s where I’d look. Don’t have to now.
Rolled into Yellowstone NP around 10am amid the long lines of cars and RVs, a kazillion families on vacation, sorta impatient, prob’ly wishing a lot of the other folks had gone somewhere else this year. 30 miles give or take from West Yellowstone to Old Faithful, passed a bunch of other geyser and steaming areas but I was on a mission.
The Old Faithful area is all built up; museum type place, hotel, restaurants. I had an hour to the next eruption (about every 90 minutes). The place I ate was packed, the wait was long, and the food both expensive and awful.
Waited with the crowds (next to a nice retired couple from Nebraska), seen it go off, time to move on. Except I couldn’t. Friggin’ storm cells again. Next place I needed to be was Grant’s Village on Yellowstone Lake, 17 miles away over 8,000+ ft Craig Pass. So, waiting three hours for the rain to clear I got to see Old Faithful go off twice more, and I’m glad I did, ya gotta experience the regularity of the thing to really appreciate it.
Clouds, storm cells ain’t letting up, finally late in the day, fuggit, I take my chances and head out. Getting dark by the time I make the Continental Divide at 8,000 whatever. Then it begins to rain, gets dark, lightning. First night in Yellowstone and I’m on a bicycle at night on a narrow winding road in the rain and thunder at 8,000ft.
The road takes forever, I gotta go slow ‘cause I can’t see chit. Once in a while cars pass by, I bail off the road surface, once in a while some honk their horn like I don’t know I’m on a narrow windy road at 8,000ft at night on a bicycle in the rain
At friggin’ last the road begins to head downhill, the traffic has died but I still gotta go slow because I can’t see chit, my headlight is ok but it’s only “hey-don’t-run-over-me” spec, not “don’t-hit-a-Buffalo-in-Yellowstone” floodlight.
It occurs to me that Yellowstone is famous for its bears. It also occurs to me the grizzlies are famously irritable when surprised. I guessed that one of the best ways to surprise a bear would be on a bicycle at night in the rain.
So for like the last hour I’m singing out ditties like “John Jakob Jinglehiemer-Schmidt” ( I tried it but I found “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall” required too much concentration).
It was friggin DARK, and wet, all I got is this little tunnel of light from my bike headlight. Finally I locate the campground like 10:30, it’s all dark, and wet.
I find the campground office, the check-in walkway is sheltered and dry, plus there’s a porch light. Hikers and cyclists get cut rates and don’t need reservations. I park the bike under the light by way of explanation and lay out my cotton bedsheet on the concrete walk, inflate the pillow (those things rock😎). Until later on when the temperature got down around 40 the skeeters were bad, so I unzipped the bag Timbermaster gave me and slept under it, covering my head.
I was warm and dry but hey this was Yellowstone, I could be jumped by a griz any moment, so kept spray and (concealed) firearm close at hand. Slept well.
Awesome. You're having one heck of an adventure, and doing well. Good grief, that night ride over the pass was a little crazy though...
hard to find a fleece blanket now Birdie, you passed the last Walmart for miles. Pendleton blanket will set you back an arm and a leg in the tourist towns. Keep on rolling.
Hmm.... catching flack and ridicule about wanting wool.
You guys might be out of the loop, reenactors got wool all over, so do the websites that supply em.
Turkey Foot Trading Co, my go to wool blanket place....
Check out the Norwegian and Israeli milsurp. 100% wool, 3lb, $35. Every mountain resort I’ve been to has its token “Mountain Man” store, that’s where I’d look. Don’t have to now.
The campground office opens at 7, I wake up about 6:45 and scrupulously clean up all my odds and ends not knowing what sort of reception I’m gonna get. I needn’t have worried, turns out long distance cyclists are a protected species in Yellowstone. The summer staff there comes from all over, the place is packed with tourists, good and bad. But everyone sees a loaded-up cyclist and they know we have come hundreds, maybe thousands of miles. . I’m packing up and a big tall bearded German sounding guy, could be Dolf Lundgren’s brother asks me if that’s my bike, grins broadly, impressed. A quiet older gentleman shows up, opens up the office, invites me in, makes me a cup of coffee. Turns out he’s a retired Cop from San Antonio. Retired Cops make excellent Campground Hosts. Tho I ain’t gonna spend the night at the campground he writes me out a free shower pass for the big shower/laundromat building down the road. In the laundromat the guys there show me where I can charge my stuff and are asking me questions about the trip. Not far away there’s a high dollar cabin rental place and a nice restaurant, same thing, Interested people asking questions.
I had already been one day in Yellowstone, the plan was to stay there that second day, head out to Cody the day after. Originally on that second day I had been planning to ride 37 miles to a place called Canyon and camp there. The problem was from there it would be a 96 mile ride to Cody. I was figuring Cody would be a two day trip involving a camp out in grizzly country anyway but I opted to camp at Yellowstone Lake Marina instead which was only 84 miles to Cody.
No phone service no internet, I had no way of gathering info about the route, the weather or anything else, it was like the old days before computers. With respect to bears, bear spray is like a fashion accessory in Yellowstone, but the people that live and work there said the paranoia is WAY overblown. I did learn that in some places in Yellowstone groups of riders actually run the bears off on horseback.
Easy day; around friggin huge Yellowstone Lake, the same one that gets tilted by the shifting Caldera beneath. The lake is fringed with little steaming bubbling hot springs, reminders that you’re on the stove top.
I get to thecampground and who’s there? Sacre Bleu! The same French family from the KOA from yesterday morning. We sit and mangle French and English for a couple of hours. I get to eat well 😎
But everyone sees a loaded-up cyclist and they know we have come hundreds, maybe thousands of miles.
Or took a car to Great Falls.
You’re right, between San Antonio-New Mexico State Line-Lubbock and Great Falls-Yellowstone-Cody on this trip I only got about 900 miles so far.
Now I gotta go into Cody, find power outlets and WiFi and plan my next move. I right now I’m on a roll, but the locals tell me south through Monsoonee to Fort Laramie would be freakin difficult; prevailing south winds and ninety miles between water some places.
Gotta figure it out.
Oh, it was an SUV, Honda Passport (????), pretty nice, fit my whole bicycle in back.
Serious question, given the nature of the majority of your posts:
Were you molested as a child?
Yes.
But she was gorgeous.
And his cousin......
Dang, I thought he was a Pole or something from the Chicago area, not a Scotch Irish from hillbillytucky. You mean to tell us it's not a monopoly on good lookin' cousins takin' advantage of their relatives?
But everyone sees a loaded-up cyclist and they know we have come hundreds, maybe thousands of miles.
Or took a car to Great Falls.
You’re right, between San Antonio-New Mexico State Line-Lubbock and Great Falls-Yellowstone-Cody on this trip I only got about 900 miles so far.
Now I gotta go into Cody, find power outlets and WiFi and plan my next move. I right now I’m on a roll, but the locals tell me south through Monsoonee to Fort Laramie would be freakin difficult; prevailing south winds and ninety miles between water some places.
Gotta figure it out.
Oh, it was an SUV, Honda Passport (????), pretty nice, fit my whole bicycle in back.
You better get to peddaling if you plan on hitching a ride with kaywoodie in Colorado
Birdwatcher first day of school- so what did you all do for summer break? Couple students answer with typical stories. Birdwatcher I rode my bike to Montana.. then rode it back to Texas.. sensing his class is not impressed they have that look of why would someone do that. He comes up with a story how he wrestled a bear in Yellowstone, saved a baby mtn lion from drowning and he jumped Colorado River on his bycycle
But everyone sees a loaded-up cyclist and they know we have come hundreds, maybe thousands of miles.
Or took a car to Great Falls.
That part of the story isn’t told. Lose street cred with bycyling bros
Dude! You must live in a dark place, Why would you even think such a thing?
2,000 miles to NY in 2014. 1,500 miles England/Scotland/Ireland/France/England in 2016. 500 miles San Antonio/Hobbs/Lubbock 400 miles Great Falls/Yellowstone/Cody to be continued....
Birdwatcher first day of school- so what did you all do for summer break? Couple students answer with typical stories. Birdwatcher I rode my bike to Montana.. then rode it back to Texas.. sensing his class is not impressed they have that look of why would someone do that. He comes up with a story how he wrestled a bear in Yellowstone, saved a baby mtn lion from drowning and he jumped Colorado River on his bycycle
Dude, I got enough real stories, don't gotta embellish.
I felt a lot of apprehension about this one, feeling it was gonna be a hard day. I did know it involved an 8,600ft pass, road construction, 31 miles from where I was to get out of the park plus another 53 miles after that through the Shoshone National Forest to Cody. 84 miles, two days.
Packed up early, rolled out. As it turns out my decision not to ride up the Hayden Valley the day before was a good one, there were strong sustained winds out of the south that I would have had to fight for 16 miles south to Fishing Bridge.
As it was I got a wind-assisted four miles north to that intersection where I turned right, through four miles of not-too-bad road construction and then east and south in the blustery winds. Big lake, waves, dotted with steaming, bubbling hot springs here and there. I had seen buffalo and elk, but along this stretch I saw two prob’ly young of the year golden eagles squabbling over a dead Canada goose, prob’ly recently delivered by a parent. Meanwhile a flock of Canada geese flew and glided in the updrafts above.
Then aclimb up from the lake through hundreds of acres of dead timber ( from the big fire?). At this point I suffered a first breakdown, a tent guyline was hanging out of a pannier and got wrapped tightly between the spokes and gear cassette on the rear wheel. Took me about a hour to clear with my Leatherman multi tool, I was just happy the deraillieur didn’t get bent.
On up the pass, alternately being helped or hindered by the wind depending on its meanderings.
Finally reached the top about 1pm. Then a remarkable thing happened, the wind was now blowing strongly from the west. It is almost all downhill from the top of Sylvan Pass about 65 miles to Cody. I had a free ride all afternoon 55 miles from the top of the pass to Bill Cody State Park 16 miles short of Cody.
Moreover, just about 5 miles east of the Yellowstone Park Boundary I had come across Pahaska, Buffalo Bill Cody’s original resort, got a great lunch at a good price, I was set.
On through the tiny town of Wapiti and a biker memorial, strong wind at my back the whole time.
I stopped and camped at the State Park, figuring it would be cheaper’n anything in Cody.
First geysers, there's a bunch before ya get to the Big Cheese AKA Old Faithful....
Another geyser field next to the Firehole River, which drains into the Madison. When I put my hand into the Madison I was surprised it wasn't that cold, now I knew why.
Turns out the Nez Perce were through this country, on their 1877 flight to avoid imprisonment on a reservation...
Finally, the primary objective of this whole interrupted mission....
Thar she blows! Sorta anticlimactic actually, much less so if you're waiting around for the skies to clear for two more eruptions.....
What she looks like between rounds.... my entirely unscientific opinion is as long as Old Faithful is still doing her thing every ninety minutes give or take, the caldera ain't about to go off anytime soon.
Late in the day on the mountain. Right after this photo the rain and thunder closed in..... but the question arose, if you pee behind that sign does it go right, towards the Pacific Ocean, or left, towards the Gulf of Mexico? As it turns out it was easy to bias the results....
The next morning, I slept on the porch....
I had been worried about running into bears or buffalo the night before, forgot all about these guys, these right behind the campground office at first light....
A boiling cauldron right by the intersection to Grant's Village....
....and another one of very many along the shore of Yellowstone Lake... reminders that you're on the stovetop....
The water-filled caldera of Yellowstone Lake, headwater of the Yellowstone River. Huge, and the shoreline has been shifting as the caldera moves beneath it. Gotta be a fascinating lake to study with all the hot springs it must cover. Apparently fishing is good for lake trout.
Campground at the Marina bay area, the French family were camped off to the right, the "hiker bikers" (no reservation needed, $10/night) were up on the hill.
The BEST way to see Yellowstone IMHO would be to leave your vehicle in the town of West Yellowstone and bicycle around between campgrounds, you could see the whole thing in a week and 100 miles, and encounter the animals without a vehicle to hide in. Stay as long as ya want, on a bike ya don't need reservations, $20 to get in and $10/night to camp, restaurants and grocery stores about every 15-20 miles. You could do it other entrances too, but not IIRC without a hellacious climb up and over into the caldera basin.
These things are thick as fleas around the camping areas. No wolves.
The bear box.... they are real proactive about running off bears that try to hang out around the camping areas, chasing them off at least sometimes on horseback I was told.
Mixed this up with a dremel at 8k rpm Been about 3 weeks , ain't seperated yet. Run it hard on my AK 47 Stays put, dont sling, dont degrade with heat. Cleans up easy.
Ain't setting a bear trap for ya. PM me your mailing address. Like ta see how it runs for ya on a long bike trip.
You weren't allowed to stop to take a photo in the construction area (they said the Feds were watching), so here's the best one I got of the outlet of Yellowstone Lake, lots of Canada geese, and a few white pelicans.... and lots of seagulls, feeding over the open water....
Coming around on the shore, passed several small hotspots...
Climbing away from the lake, might not look alarming, but its somewhat more so when its just you and the buffalo bull, with the bull calling the shots...
For the next five hours and sixty something miles I was just taking photos of "down".....
At the bottom of this photo on the left there's an American flag, marking the location of Pahaska, the restaurant and resort Buffalo Bill Cody founded. Food, I was very happy to see it
The Fallen Biker Memorial in Wapiti, names on the bricks in back.
See them flags? That was the wind that was pushing me....
That about does it for now. Got to Cody yesterday afternoon, staying with friends.
Seen the museum, PHENOMENAL gun collection, one of the very best in the World
Hey, Jeremiah Johnson's (the real one, not Robert Redford) rifle and English bowie (tried to get a photo of the maker stamp) and Jedediah Smith's pistol.
Texas is out, supposed to be at the Little Big Horn to meet other friends in three days.
Great photos Mike ! Glad you got to see some Tatankas and didn’t get freight trained by one. 🤠 It’s been 20 years since I’ve been to Yellowstone and seen Old Faithful go off and to the museums in Cody. Your Picts brought back some great memories!
But you do have a bicycle and a camera and post great pics for us non-cyclists to enjoy.
Thanks M,
Geno
PS, way cool about the juvenile eagles eating their lunch. We're lucky to have a good number of goldens in our area (as far as numbers of them go). Not uncommon to see more than one in a day. But California sucks, doncha know.
Here is my girlfriend at that lake in Yellowstone on May 22. I'm glad the snow has melted.
By the way that is a good idea, to tour the park on bicycle. No reservations needed, just camp out for ten bucks a night. I tell you, we were staying at a motel in West Yellowstone in May, BEFORE the big tourist rush, and we were paying $245 a night for a motel room.
Here is my girlfriend at that lake in Yellowstone on May 22. I'm glad the snow has melted.
By the way that is a good idea, to tour the park on bicycle. No reservations needed, just camp out for ten bucks a night. I tell you, we were staying at a motel in West Yellowstone in May, BEFORE the big tourist rush, and we were paying $245 a night for a motel room.
Yep, West Yellowstone would be the place to leave the vehicle, IIRC every other entrance has a hard climb to get up into the Caldera. Campgrounds 15 - 20 miles apart, relatively easy grades. General stores and restaurants same distance. $60 - $80 per person per day should more than cover it easy.
I paid $20 to get in the park ended up with some sort of season pass at that price because of my age 😎
Climbing away from the lake, might not look alarming, but its somewhat more so when its just you and the buffalo bull, with the bull calling the shots...
Lake...Jeez Birdie, last time I saw that much water they called it an ocean.
Yep. A 4 piece 4 wgt Fly rod would strap right to that bicycle frame! 😁
First trip I did I was rushing to get up to NY so as to maximize my time with kin up there. Europe three years back I had 40 days after the motorcycle races so I could meander, which was good because I took the wrong boat to France and ended up 250 miles off course.
This one I’ve been rushing again to make up for lost time, I need to stop that in the future. I’ve given up on riding back to Texas, but the new task is 170 miles to meet my friends and their new (to them) motorhome at the LBH Battlefield in three days.
Day 13: 50 miles 456 miles total.
A great two nights at the home of one of those members who no longer posts here much on account of all the crap. Also visiting was one of the premier custom gunsmiths in the world 😎 A guy who can make you whatever part you need starting with plain bar stock. Bristoe would really like talking to this guy.
We was up shooting the breeze until the early hours and stayed late over breakfast, consequently I didn’t clear the Cody City Limits until nearly 1pm headed north.
A moderate climb out of the Shoshone River Valley over to the semi-arid Clark Fork of the Yellowstone watershed and trending downstream after that.
I was hoping for an easy 61 miles to Bridger but all day long I was hammered by strong headwinds out of the north. For reasons I don’t understand riding into the wind ain’t nearly as hard as climbing, you just ride along a gear or three lower, speed down by half.
It was getting dark by the time I got to Belfry, a wide spot in the road that has seen better days, no campground, bar/casino/motel closed and for sale. 11miles and two hours into that wind to Bridger.
Fortunately 1/4 mile out of town was a Federal impoundment with a gate. The population along the lower Clark’s Fork is actually fairly dense by Montana standards because they irrigate and grow crops but I figured no one would care if some guy set up on Federal land.
The low was gonna be about 55. The ideal when stopping overnight is just a groundsheet and bedding, but the skeeter’s were swarming, so I put up the screen part of my tent ( no fly) next to the gate in full view of the road. Even left the little battery lantern on to make it easier for the Cop if one stopped by. None did. Slept well, was underway by 7:30, left no trace.
Currently I’m in the Buckeye Bar & Casino, main drag Bridger, eating a great Denver omelet. No wind to speak of, should clear Billings (55 miles) today. I’m back among actual rural folk here instead of wealthy California transplants.
Climbing away from the lake, might not look alarming, but its somewhat more so when its just you and the buffalo bull, with the bull calling the shots...
Lake...Jeez Birdie, last time I saw that much water they called it an ocean.
Just a drop in the bucket compared to the magma chamber that lurks below
4pm local, 5hrs daylight remaining, in Laurel MT, 94 miles NW of LBH, heading that way towards Billings. My friends are spending an extra day in the Black Hills, so I got two days to do that 94 miles if I need it.
Yep. A 4 piece 4 wgt Fly rod would strap right to that bicycle frame! 😁
First trip I did I was rushing to get up to NY so as to maximize my time with kin up there. Europe three years back I had 40 days after the motorcycle races so I could meander, which was good because I took the wrong boat to France and ended up 250 miles off course.
This one I’ve been rushing again to make up for lost time, I need to stop that in the future.
I'd say that would be a good plan. Although you're getting a lot of visits in with friends on this trip, so I'd say your priorities ain't exactly wrong... but having a few days to throw some flies at some trout would be awful sweet this time of year in that area!
Stopped here in the mass confusion of Laurel MT, took a couple of hours to catch up on pics, about to join the relative lunacy of I 90 towards Billings.
Couple of days ago, top end of Bill Cody Lake towards Cody...
Past the dam was a tunnel, not bicycle-friendly....
This has been a Great post to follow,the pics are great as is the storys that go with them. I am sure ya know, but rattle mouth cotten snakes like bushes. Be safe looking forward to the rest of the story.
Great photos Mike ! Glad you got to see some Tatankas and didn’t get freight trained by one. 🤠 It’s been 20 years since I’ve been to Yellowstone and seen Old Faithful go off and to the museums in Cody. Your Picts brought back some great memories!
This^^^. Take care Birdy. I hope you dont run into a griz that wants what you had for breakfast.
Those little white shapes on that hill are proghorn...
Campsite for the night....
View out the tent at first light....
Main Drag, Bridger MT....
Came out after breakfast and damn, nobody stole my bike, means I still gotta ride it....
You are aware the rattlers in that country travel at night this time of year, and cool nights can pull them to a warm highway or roadside sucker. Remember, the old cowpokes didnt take those things lightly. There has been many a campfire discussion concerning them, on the range.
Reminds me of the story of the northeastern lady laughing at her son running toward prarie dogs in the national forest flats out of Jackson Hole and sticking his arm down their holes. The park ranger advised her that some holes held rattlers as thick as his arm.
Disappointing day, Rolled into the refinery town of Laurel on I 90 mid afternoon, stopped at a coffee shop to get on the net and catch up, by the time I was ready to roll and get past the confusion of Billings storm cells were looming, said fuggit and checked into a motel.
Only in the context of this trip would a 41 mile day on an 80lb bicycle be “disappointing”. 🙄
Tough day ahead today; forecast high 99, first Billings, then the climb out of the Yellowstone Valley. 90 miles to the LBH. 25 miles to a rest area, 43 miles to a place called Indian Arrow. On I 90 in the sun most of the way.
I know that a bicycle on the shoulder of an interstate irritates most, but from a cyclists perspective it’s one of the safest places to be.
2 1/2 hours to get through and clear of Billings. I noticed this morning that my red cotton overshirt is white with salt from the sweat of the last two days.
Don’t feel salt cravings but I’m “salting up” (adding my NaCl and KCl mix to fountain drinks) at the last chaotic truck stop at the edge of town.
50 mile day so far, resting up at a rest area 20 miles n of Hardin, my destination for today. 95+ degrees up here today, hot out there over the asphalt, but not as bad as TX, sunlight ain’t as intense up here.
Coming south from the Yellowstone River as I did I might be ballparking Custer’s route, so I’m experiencing slow and weary and hot on my way to the LBH, the wrong side of Hardin is supposed to be a rough town, so if’n I get stomped by Indians it’ll just complete the experience 🙂
LBH is just 14 miles from Hardin. Supposed to meet friends there mid morning tomorrow.
I was given the treat of watching the Northern Cheyenne and Crow high school football teams get into a Braveheart style brawl one day in Crow Agency. One of the Northern Cheyenne on the line stood up, pointed at one of the Crow and yelled "You helped whitey out!" That was that.
I don't think they allow those two teams to play anymore.
I was given the treat of watching the Northern Cheyenne and Crow high school football teams get into a Braveheart style brawl one day in Crow Agency. One of the Northern Cheyenne on the line stood up, pointed at one of the Crow and yelled "You helped whitey out!" That was that.
I don't think they allow those two teams to play anymore.
Well here I is sitting on the curb of the exact same truck stop in Hardin were I was 16 days and 570 miles ago.(73 mile day today).
Gotta put in two hours and 15 miles to the LBH to meet company first thing in the morning. Sun setting in 30 minutes. There’s hotels and a KOA just down the road. Seems so unimaginative though. I could sleep around the truck stop somewhere but OTOH I gotta be all bright eyed and bushy tailed tomorrow so gotta sleep well.
Sleeping at the truck stop doesn’t sound like a good idea.
Did it last time, on the sidewalk around the side, but that was like 3am.
Found a redneck campground in town, right across from the Indian convenience store. $26 free shower. Just got fogged, with mosquito spray from the old pickup making the rounds. Didn’t know people still did that
Gonna shower, set up the screen tent, and then go get a beer. Life is good 😎
Sleeping at the truck stop doesn’t sound like a good idea.
Did it last time, on the sidewalk around the side, but that was like 3am.
Found a redneck campground in town, right across from the Indian convenience store. $26 free shower. Just got fogged, with mosquito spray from the old pickup making the rounds. Didn’t know people still did that
Gonna shower, set up the screen tent, and then go get a beer. Life is good 😎
Cool. Sounds safer than the truck stop. The Natives will probably be too drunk to bother ya. 😜
Sleeping at the truck stop doesn’t sound like a good idea.
Did it last time, on the sidewalk around the side, but that was like 3am.
Found a redneck campground in town, right across from the Indian convenience store. $26 free shower. Just got fogged, with mosquito spray from the old pickup making the rounds. Didn’t know people still did that
Gonna shower, set up the screen tent, and then go get a beer. Life is good 😎
Cool. Sounds safer than the truck stop. The Natives will probably be too drunk to bother ya. 😜
Sleeping at the truck stop doesn’t sound like a good idea.
Did it last time, on the sidewalk around the side, but that was like 3am.
Found a redneck campground in town, right across from the Indian convenience store. $26 free shower. Just got fogged, with mosquito spray from the old pickup making the rounds. Didn’t know people still did that
Gonna shower, set up the screen tent, and then go get a beer. Life is good 😎
Cool. Sounds safer than the truck stop. The Natives will probably be too drunk to bother ya. 😜
The ones I asked directions from were laid back and friendly like most country folk. Same with the staff and customers when I bought my 1/2 gallon of milk. Two tattooed gang thugs did make a point of saying “wsup?” but mostly I figure ‘cause they couldn’t figure out my Shiek of Araby attire and they dress according to rules.
Thanks for the update, I don't like to sweat all day, so I would not do what you are doing, but it's fun keeping up with you, I'd do that on a motor bike.
Two flats this morning! Second one was my fault for not finding the 5mm sliver of retread wire that caused the one I woke up to.
I was fixing it outside the homemade burrito shop and the owner came out and gave me a cold bottle of water. Steady stream of customers in and out, Indian, non-, and both. Big ol Indian says, “second flat huh? Maybe that means you’re supposed to stay in Hardin.” Hey, I could do worse.
At the McD’s getting my caffeine fix now, plainly the morning social center, mixed clientele, a bunch of old farmers.
Hhmmmm so you pedaled from Great Falls to Yellowstone then to Cody, Wy and then pedaled back to Montana to Billings and you are headed south now on I90 to meet up with friends somewhere in Montana or Wyoming?
Hhmmmm so you pedaled from Great Falls to Yellowstone then to Cody, Wy and then pedaled back to Montana to Billings and you are headed south now on I90 to meet up with friends somewhere in Montana or Wyoming?
Birdwatcher,
Yellowstone is cool, but you did miss the turnoff to the Platinum Mine!. I hope the old guns in Cody made up for it.
Hhmmmm so you pedaled from Great Falls to Yellowstone then to Cody, Wy and then pedaled back to Montana to Billings and you are headed south now on I90 to meet up with friends somewhere in Montana or Wyoming?
Birdwatcher,
Yellowstone is cool, but you did miss the turnoff to the Platinum Mine!. I hope the old guns in Cody made up for it.
Hhmmmm so you pedaled from Great Falls to Yellowstone then to Cody, Wy and then pedaled back to Montana to Billings and you are headed south now on I90 to meet up with friends somewhere in Montana or Wyoming?
Birdwatcher,
Yellowstone is cool, but you did miss the turnoff to the Platinum Mine!. I hope the old guns in Cody made up for it.
Hhmmmm so you pedaled from Great Falls to Yellowstone then to Cody, Wy and then pedaled back to Montana to Billings and you are headed south now on I90 to meet up with friends somewhere in Montana or Wyoming?
Birdwatcher,
Yellowstone is cool, but you did miss the turnoff to the Platinum Mine!. I hope the old guns in Cody made up for it.
Sycamore
I think the crows got him
The Crows think I rock, of course
Got to Cody, figured I didn't have the time to ride back to San Antone, meanwhile my Great Falls friends were in the Black HIlls with their RV, we arranged a rendevous at the LBH since they had never stopped in and they could have me as a guide.
Worked out to like 165 miles to Hardin in three days, longest day in Montana was the 73 miles from Laurel to Hardin.
Had a choice, 9,000ft pass over the Bighorn Mts to Sheridan WYand then north, I figured 5 days to LBH that way. Going north through Billings on the other hand was a three day proposition. Unless I’m riding into a strong headwind I can make 60-70 miles on the Plains, only 30-40 in the mountains.
Wow, really too bad you rushed through Yellowstone and skipped Grand Teton with all the extra time you have, now. You can fly home from a lot of the towns you've pedaled through. Enjoy GF. (again).
You have some extra time besides what you're planning to spend with your GF friends in at the Battle site? Maybe spend a coupla more days on the road seeing another site or two you've always wanted to visit? Then you can post more pics for us.
Whichever way you get home, enjoy the rest of the vacation.
The dry climate of Montana plus the fact that its below freezing half the year appears to favor the preservation of old cars, this Hudson was parked along the main drag of Bridger....
Just up the road in Fromberg, two biker bars, not much else....
Shoulda took a photo of the convenience store at the Rock Creek intersection, the lady had FOUR well-bred German Shepherd dogs just laying around and dozing in the isles. didn't seem to concerned about hold ups
The final drag to Laurel and the Interstate, not all of Montana is mountains....
Approaching Laurel, the refinery was a surprise....
The Harley Dealership in Billings, experiencing a downturn like everywhere else. Harley model designations continue to confuse, what the heck is an "ROXGR"?
At least this dealership hadn't been obliged to build quite the mega-showroom one sees everywhere else, pretty sure this sign is supposed to read "new 2018 models"....
If ya ain't been out west and seen just how many prairie dogs and ground squirrels there are, ya might not understand why some people spend so much time shooting them. I first encountered hordes of 'em way back in Lubbock, these are urban prairie dogs in front of a hotel complex in downtown Billings...
Along the way I saw like eight species of roadkill birds, especially along the Interstates, prob'ly colliding with semis, including a pair of wild ducks. Two roadkills on the stretch from Billings to Hardin were sorta sad to me, so I took photos.
A yellow-breasted chat, that will not be returning to Venezuela this August....
...and an avocet. Avocets are just pretty, and graceful, I first encountered 'em on the Plains north of Lubbock, they breed up here in Montana too....
Almost forgot, outside of Fromberg someone was keeping a whole herd of sorta medium-sized cattle with actual horns, must be a Heritage breed....
A climb up onto the rolling plains from Billings, then across the Prior Creek Valley towards the Big Horn River country (I gotta look up who the heck Prior was, he has a bunch of stuff named after him out here)….
Crossing the Yellowstone leaving Billings....
Followed by maybe 50 miles of open country. A heat wave, highs in the upper nineties that day, about average for Texas, and the sun ain't as intense up here.....
When its open and flat, gets hard to recall what was where, judging by the shadows this was late afternoon....
A prairie pothole, a bunch of our waterfowl breed in these things.....
The Big Horn River Valley and Hardin at last, it was a long, hot day. Just missed getting a photo of a flock of cranes here....
A Rez pawn shop, main drag, Hardin. I wish I was there when it was open, but I rolled in after closing time and couldn't wait for it to open the following morning (I was meeting one of those Campfire friends who got run off from here at the LBH that morning).
Parting shot of Hardin from the Interstate...
Looking towards Crow Agency (15 miles) from that point....
The Big Horn River, that's an osprey nest platform (with ospreys in residence) at the far end of the RR bridge...
From what I seen, pretty horses were at a premium on the Rez…
Tipi poles, curing I'd guess....
Ya know I seen signs for "Mountain Crow Road", and "River Crow Road", and there's a "Plenty Coups State Park", I dunno who Yellow Pansy was tho, perhaps one of their warriors who somehow escaped public acclaim
Haven't seen a chat in years. Avocets all the time in this area, cranes almost every day I go to town and I hear them every day where I live, until they migrate S for the winter at least.
Best shot I wanted to get of the Little Big Horn River, this was on the Interstate, note the lack of clearance on the bridge. Heck I coulda done it easy, but I try to avoid alarming drivers more'n me just being there already does....
First view of Last Stand Hill, you can just make out the monument on the hill behind the school buses...…
I didn't take many photos of the battlefield, the open terrain doesn't lend itself well to iPhone photography. IIRC Custer came in from the south, in a hurry, never realizing until too late just how large the Indian camp was. Subsequent events have famously become the topic of much discussion; no debate that he detached Reno to attack the south end of the camp while he himself moved north along the high ground, probing for the north end of the camp. The final rush by the Indians over Last Stand Hill at the north end of the battlefield appears to have been over rather quickly.
One cool thing mentioned in the museum was that the partial skull of the mixed-blood Translator and Indian Scout Mitch Bouyer (identified by DNA as well as by facial reconstruction) was recovered from the western slope Last Stand Hill. Bouyer going in on the final attack had no illusions about the odds they faced, and reportedly gave away his possessions to the other Crow Scouts. From what we can tell he knew he was gonna die, but went in anyway. Point of trivia, him and his close friend Thomas La Forge, a White man living among the Crows, had made a pact to look after each other's families in the event one of them died. La Forge did indeed assume responsibility for Bouyer's widow and children, marrying the widow after the death of his own wife.
Here's my best shot of the field, looking down and west toward the river about where the south end of the camp would have been, large horse herds scattered across the plain in the background, IIRC Reno's opening attack stalled out off the left hand side of this photo, whereupon his force retreated to high ground on this side of the river to the south of this point, joined there later by Benteen and his men coming up from the South. Although they were castigated for not going after Custer, my impession is by that time it was already too late. One Captain Wier and a small force did try to go to Custer's aid but were turned back by the sheer numbers of Indians, they did report Indians swarming over Custer's position shooting at men on the ground, so by that time it was likely over.
And a pithy quote from Sitting Bull, I dunno the context.....
And a concluding shot from later that day, me retracing my route of the previous day in the copilot seat of the USS Enterprise AKA my buddy's motor home, on our way back to Great Falls.....
Wow, really too bad you rushed through Yellowstone and skipped Grand Teton with all the extra time you have, now. You can fly home from a lot of the towns you've pedaled through. Enjoy GF. (again).
Hindsight is always 20/20
Even John Coulter had to make multiple trips to see it all.
I'm just gonna have to settle for 500 miles across Texas to the NM State Line and then Lubbock.....
And then about 585 miles meandering around Montana. I did discover the Upper Missouri/Three Forks country is friggin' beautiful, gonna have to leave the rest until next time.
Sure beat the heck out of being at home all summer.....
First day of school, ol BW as the campfire calls him.. eagerly waits for his new students. They all slowly start to file in some taking seats in the back. Ol BW recognizes some from last year. Finally school bell rings, BW takes roll, afterwards to break the silence he asks the students. What you do for summer break. One or two hands come up, they answer with went to Dallas or to the coast. Ol BW with a big a smile tells them well I rode my bike all the way to Montana..
Ol BW with a big a smile tells them well I rode my bike all the way to Montana..
Still calling me a liar. I get that from a few here on the 'Fire, ain't used to it. I do stuff like that face to face.
Actually I got lucky getting waylaid at Lubbock, otherwise I woulda been around Casper maybe last week, maybe about now looking to go that way INTO Yellowstone.
A sixty mile steady climb to Sylvan Pass to the west with no services, coulda taken me three days, camping in the woods both nights en route. Instead with a tailwind I did that whole stretch coming down FROM the west in a single afternoon
Likewise climbing the hills north of Boulder MT, north of Ennis and north of Helena would all have been walk-and-push propositions instead of more gradual inclines climbing them from the direction I did.
You got a bunch of sheit on this thread but not many guys could/would do what you did so a tip of the hat to you from me.
Hope you enjoyed your trip through Montana and Wyoming, you're a tough sumbitch in my book.
What's that bumble stumble across Montana, and parts of Wyoming?
I'll keep my eyes peeled for your next adventure thread.
BW has about 12 years on me and I don't think I'd be too interested in tackling what he did for various reasons but no doubt he showed some gumption and determination and there is merit in that in my opinion.
But hey, everybody has an opinion so if you don't agree no biggie to me.
I just don't understand the hate BW is getting, I thought it was a pretty cool trip with some good photos.
Hell you don't have to agree with the means and methods to appreciate the effort.
Yep. Good effort BW. I gotta give ya that. You've seen far more of this great country on a bike than I have in an automobile. So kudos and thanks for the pics.
I bet that Indian Pawn Shop sees some interesting stuff come through the doors when the natives are running low on fire water...
Ya I'll bet, appeared to be an old White guy running it, (the breakfast burrito shop was right next door, he was one of the customers), I'll bet he had some stories.
I bet that Indian Pawn Shop sees some interesting stuff come through the doors when the natives are running low on fire water...
Ya I'll bet, appeared to be an old White guy running it, (the breakfast burrito shop was right next door, he was one of the customers), I'll bet he had some stories.
Looking at the signs out front, I bet he gets some real quality items through there.
I'd love to browse. But I bet there's not many bargains..
Looking at the signs out front, I bet he gets some real quality items through there.
I'd love to browse. But I bet there's not many bargains..
I'm sure of that, and being how its so easy on/off the Interstate, like right there off the main Hardin exit, I'm sure it could be a frequent and easy stop for the collectors of such things.
Me, I ain't a collector, I'd be inclined to buy the old stuff, find a responsible family member and say "here, keep this safe, ol' Fuggnuts over there pawned it.." I would imagine the Pawn Shop owner hisself might have done as much on occasion.
I bet that Indian Pawn [color:#FF0000][/color]Shop sees some interesting stuff come through the doors when the natives are running low on fire water...
What do your pawn shops get when you cracker asses run low on cash for slim Jim's and cigarettes?
Fine jewelry, guns, big screen TV's... All stolen from the rich neighborhoods...
Cracker asses?
Just what race are you? Since you brought race into this discussion...
Whatever you may think, you are wrong. I'm not making assumptions.
I KNOW.
Besides being married to a Native American, I lived next to enough of them on the rez to see and know what they do.
I've personally seen them run over like deer while passed out or crawling across highways while drunk.
I've seen them in the supermarket loading grocery baskets with beer and liquor at 6:30 am...
If you can point out which Indian nations don't have a problem with fire water, I'll happily listen.
I bet that Indian Pawn [color:#FF0000][/color]Shop sees some interesting stuff come through the doors when the natives are running low on fire water...
What do your pawn shops get when you cracker asses run low on cash for slim Jim's and cigarettes?
Fine jewelry, guns, big screen TV's... All stolen from the rich neighborhoods...
Cracker asses?
Just what race are you? Since you brought race into this discussion...
Whatever you may think, you are wrong. I'm not making assumptions.
I KNOW.
Besides being married to a Native American, I lived next to enough of them on the rez to see and know what they do.
I've personally seen them run over like deer while passed out or crawling across highways while drunk.
I've seen them in the supermarket loading grocery baskets with beer and liquor at 6:30 am...
If you can point out which Indian nations don't have a problem with fire water, I'll happily listen.
Hey I'm half black half Chinese I enjoy bbq ribs and fried rice.. I have no idea what it's like on a rez
I bet that Indian Pawn [color:#FF0000][/color]Shop sees some interesting stuff come through the doors when the natives are running low on fire water...
What do your pawn shops get when you cracker asses run low on cash for slim Jim's and cigarettes?
Fine jewelry, guns, big screen TV's... All stolen from the rich neighborhoods...
Cracker asses?
Just what race are you? Since you brought race into this discussion...
Whatever you may think, you are wrong. I'm not making assumptions.
I KNOW.
Besides being married to a Native American, I lived next to enough of them on the rez to see and know what they do.
I've personally seen them run over like deer while passed out or crawling across highways while drunk.
I've seen them in the supermarket loading grocery baskets with beer and liquor at 6:30 am...
If you can point out which Indian nations don't have a problem with fire water, I'll happily listen.
The Birdman may have a 'Style' that differs, but very few deserve to be called a liar anonymously. That defines a cheap shot.
mike r
He's the one that said he was a liar not me.. all I said was he will tell his students he road his huffy to Montana.. did he not ride his bike to Montana? Last I looked riding a bike from Wyoming to Montana is riding* a bike to Montana..
Not Bovine Industry Professionals and Incensed Disingenuous People.
funny, as a kid i had a lot of kids in my class that called themselves apache, although the learned white guys say they are actually part of a different ethnic group. My house is still near the main entrance to the rez. I don't evern remember calling them indians per se, or apache for that matter. They did use english names.
The Birdman may have a 'Style' that differs, but very few deserve to be called a liar anonymously. That defines a cheap shot.
'Tis a common thing to project one's self-loathing onto others.
But anyways..... this just in. Me, a Park Ranger and a guy from Hardin in the parking lot at the LBH that morning taken by my former Campfire Regular friend, a very accomplished marksman in his own right.
August company; the Park Ranger had been on a History Network program firing a Trapdoor Springfield against a Henry. The guy in the t-shirt had placed third in the National Quigley Competition (dunno the exact name). I'm the guy in the funny hat.
funny, as a kid i had a lot of kids in my class that called themselves apache, although the learned white guys say they are actually part of a different ethnic group. My house is still near the main entrance to the rez. I don't evern remember calling them indians per se, or apache for that matter. They did use english names.
Birdman post a pic of your rig. Ive been going thru the thread off and on and haven't seen one.
The Neighbor, ex-Sheriff is a Cross Country biker as well. Nice setup with all the panniers front and back. Usually gone every summer but decided to tear down and rebuild his garage this summer instead,
Birdman post a pic of your rig. Ive been going thru the thread off and on and haven't seen one.
Here it was in Ireland three years back, ain't changed since then.
An '89 Schwinn Voyageur steel-frame touring bike, everything switched out except the frame, front and rear deraillieurs and the downtube friction shifters.
'Nother pic, NY State in 2014....
I don't believe its possible to have a TOO low gear, 44,32,22 chainrings in front, 12-36 cassette in back.
Prior to this last trip I switched the worn out (aluminum tubes get abraded over time) front and rear racks with the equivalent Tubus racks, a minor detail. And ever since Coach Popovitch started trashing President Trump I had to ditch the Spurs coozie.
If I were looking to replace this bike I'd look no further than a Surly Long Haul Trucker, 26" wheels, maybe disk brakes.
Birdman post a pic of your rig. Ive been going thru the thread off and on and haven't seen one.
Here it was in Ireland three years back, ain't changed since then.
An '89 Schwinn Voyageur steel-frame touring bike, everything switched out except the frame, front and rear deraillieurs and the downtube friction shifters.
'Nother pic, NY State in 2014....
I don't believe its possible to have a TOO low gear, 44,32,22 chainrings in front, 12-36 cassette in back.
Prior to this last trip I switched the worn out (aluminum tubes get abraded over time) front and rear racks with the equivalent Tubus racks, a minor detail.
If I were looking to replace this bike I'd look no further than a Surly Long Haul Trucker, 26" wheels, maybe disk brakes.
Very cool. The neighbor has ridden from sea to shining sea and back home again in one summer. Although he is an Ironman Athlete the competes in Hawaii every so often. His bags are all brown and you can barely see the tires. Not sure what Bike he rides now ill have to go ask.
Originally Posted by Birdwatcher
Originally Posted by FatCity67
Birdman post a pic of your rig. Ive been going thru the thread off and on and haven't seen one.
Here it was in Ireland three years back, ain't changed since then.
An '89 Schwinn Voyageur steel-frame touring bike, everything switched out except the frame, front and rear deraillieurs and the downtube friction shifters.
'Nother pic, NY State in 2014....
I don't believe its possible to have a TOO low gear, 44,32,22 chainrings in front, 12-36 cassette in back.
Prior to this last trip I switched the worn out (aluminum tubes get abraded over time) front and rear racks with the equivalent Tubus racks, a minor detail. And ever since Coach Popovitch started trashing President Trump I had to ditch the Spurs coozie.
If I were looking to replace this bike I'd look no further than a Surly Long Haul Trucker, 26" wheels, maybe disk brakes.
I have been told many times... among the biggest problems on the Rez is others tearing ya down every time ya get ahead, which is a big part of the reason so many have to leave.
I have been told many times... among the biggest problems on the Rez is others tearing ya down every time ya get ahead, which is a big part of the reason so many have to leave.
So you left the rez when you were younger to get ahead? I'm sorry you had to leave your people
I have been told many times... among the biggest problems on the Rez is others tearing ya down every time ya get ahead, which is a big part of the reason so many have to leave.
So you left the rez when you were younger to get ahead? I'm sorry you had to leave your people
copy/paste - Corriente cattle are a breed of Criollo cattle descended from Spanish animals brought to the Americas as early as 1493. They are primarily used today as sport cattle for rodeo events such as team roping and bulldogging (steer wrestling).
I differ from many cyclists in that I believe if I get hit its ALWAYS gonna be my fault, for being out there on a bicycle on a public roadway. Therefore its my responsibility to keep that from happening.
IMHO the cyclist shoulda known the nature of the road and bailed clear off of the pavement, leastways that's what I like to think I woulda done. Even I ain't 100% every time. I would also like to think I could do this at age 70, if I make it that far.
copy/paste - Corriente cattle are a breed of Criollo cattle descended from Spanish animals brought to the Americas as early as 1493. They are primarily used today as sport cattle for rodeo events such as team roping and bulldogging (steer wrestling).
Tks, make sense given the locale. In the same way that hay appears to be a major cash crop, even irrigated, all across Montana. A lot of livestock gotta require supplemental feeding in the wintertime.
Birdman post a pic of your rig. Ive been going thru the thread off and on and haven't seen one.
Here it was in Ireland three years back, ain't changed since then.
An '89 Schwinn Voyageur steel-frame touring bike, everything switched out except the frame, front and rear deraillieurs and the downtube friction shifters.
And a concluding shot from later that day, me retracing my route of the previous day in the copilot seat of the USS Enterprise AKA my buddy's motor home, on our way back to Great Falls.....
Stuff like that is tough on my brain. I once spent a rough 10 days covering 75 miles on a backpacking trip. We did that on the drive home in a little over an hour.
Birdman post a pic of your rig. Ive been going thru the thread off and on and haven't seen one.
Here it was in Ireland three years back, ain't changed since then.
An '89 Schwinn Voyageur steel-frame touring bike, everything switched out except the frame, front and rear deraillieurs and the downtube friction shifters.
lakes of Killarney?
Yep, on my way to the Skibbereen area, where it turned out that lots of folks look like me.
Could happen. How could I visit Montana with cycling to the Hi-Line? Seriously running out of time here tho, my bike ships out Monday, however far I get my buddy is gonna come get me, drive me back to GF.
I would like to ride to the Canuck border but I dunno that time permits.
Eating breakfast in Havre now, trying to decide if I wanna ride back up the hill to see the buffalo jump, I mean how many towns got a buffalo jump right behind the mall?
Eating breakfast in Havre now, trying to decide if I wanna ride back up the hill to see the buffalo jump, I mean how many towns got a buffalo jump right behind the mall?
Hell Big Jim is only 30-45 min away by truck. A trip to the border from where you're at is going to be a long boring ride to find out it looks exactly the same. But if you feel froggy head up to the Y, take the left and haul ass. No shoulder, but not much traffic either. Just make sure you wave, as it's still custom there.
Hey Tks, gonna blow off the buffalo jump, head towards Jim’s direction. Just now two hard of hearing ol’ Indian ladies in the next booth are yelling at each other in Cree or whatever.
Can’t understand a word of course, ‘cept of course “Walmart” is still pronounced “WalMart” in that language. Kinda cool tho to listen to two fluent-sounding Native speakers, might be the only opportunity ever fer me.
Hey Tks, gonna blow off the buffalo jump, head towards Jim’s direction. Just now two hard of hearing ol’ Indian ladies in the next booth are yelling at each other in Cree or whatever.
Can’t understand a word of course, ‘cept of course “Walmart” is still pronounced “WalMart” in that language. Kinda cool tho to listen to two fluent-sounding Native speakers, might be the only opportunity ever fer me.
If you make it to Chinook, take the time to pedal the town. Would only take 5 min lol. It's a little piece of Americana that's dying. Great town.
In all seriousness, I'd not pedal through Ft Belknap. You'd likely be fine, but still I couldn't in good conscience advise otherwise.
The was an article in the Montana paper last week, IIRC 17suicides on the Ft Belknap Rez in a year most of em teenagers. Damn, must be a rough place to live.
The was an article in the Montana paper last week, IIRC 17suicides on the Ft Belknap Rez in a year most of em teenagers. Damn, must be a rough place to live.
At least they're making headway on the overcrowding situation.
Could happen. How could I visit Montana with cycling to the Hi-Line? Seriously running out of time here tho, my bike ships out Monday, however far I get my buddy is gonna come get me, drive me back to GF.
I would like to ride to the Canuck border but I dunno that time permits.
Bird, I could ship you my triathlon bike, it cuts through the wind like a hot knife cuts through butter, and you could make it back to TEXAS before classes start.
You’d be coasting downhill literally all the way home…and you’d swear you never mashed a pedal. LOL.
Aluminum frame with carbon forks and handle bars that absorb the road roughness, and a graphite beam supporting the seat that makes you feel like you’re sitting / riding in a German suspension car. Literally soaks up the road roughness before it gets to the body. Bladed spokes cut through the wind like a hot knife cuts through butter.
P.S. They outlawed it on the circuit, because it had such a competitive edge over the competition.
P.S.S. I can make you go faster, and faster…like the 6-million dollar man.
P.S.S.S. Get your buddy with the Motorhome to run support for you, and you ride without the additional weight of your bags, and you’ll literally fly home…I’ll guarantee.
Could happen. How could I visit Montana with cycling to the Hi-Line? Seriously running out of time here tho, my bike ships out Monday, however far I get my buddy is gonna come get me, drive me back to GF.
I would like to ride to the Canuck border but I dunno that time permits.
Bird, I could ship you my triathlon bike, it cuts through the wind like a hot knife cuts through butter, and you could make it back to TEXAS before classes start.
You’d be coasting downhill literally all the way home…and you’d swear you never mashed a pedal. LOL.
Aluminum frame with carbon forks and handle bars that absorb the road roughness, and a graphite beam supporting the seat that makes you feel like you’re sitting / riding in a German suspension car. Literally soaks up the road roughness before it gets to the body. Bladed spokes cut through the wind like a hot knife cuts through butter.
P.S. They outlawed it on the circuit, because it had such a competitive edge over the competition.
P.S.S. I can make you go faster, and faster…like the 6-million dollar man.
P.S.S.S. Get your buddy with the Motorhome to run support for you, and you ride without the additional weight of your bags, and you’ll literally fly home…I’ll guarantee.
ElkSlayer91: What kind of bike-Softride? -tnscouter
Could happen. How could I visit Montana with cycling to the Hi-Line? Seriously running out of time here tho, my bike ships out Monday, however far I get my buddy is gonna come get me, drive me back to GF.
I would like to ride to the Canuck border but I dunno that time permits.
Bird, I could ship you my triathlon bike, it cuts through the wind like a hot knife cuts through butter, and you could make it back to TEXAS before classes start.
You’d be coasting downhill literally all the way home…and you’d swear you never mashed a pedal. LOL.
Aluminum frame with carbon forks and handle bars that absorb the road roughness, and a graphite beam supporting the seat that makes you feel like you’re sitting / riding in a German suspension car. Literally soaks up the road roughness before it gets to the body. Bladed spokes cut through the wind like a hot knife cuts through butter.
P.S. They outlawed it on the circuit, because it had such a competitive edge over the competition.
P.S.S. I can make you go faster, and faster…like the 6-million dollar man.
P.S.S.S. Get your buddy with the Motorhome to run support for you, and you ride without the additional weight of your bags, and you’ll literally fly home…I’ll guarantee.
ElkSlayer91: What kind of bike-Softride? -tnscouter
Contestant: Alex, I’ll take TT / Triathlon bikes for a $1,000.
Alex: Name a TT / Triathlon bike that was ruled to have an unfair competitive advantage throughout the 1990’s and 2000’s over their competition before being banned by the governing body.
Contestant: What is a SoftRide?
Alex: You are correct. The banning of Softride from competition forced the production of SoftRide bikes to end in 2007.
Bird, I could ship you my triathlon bike, it cuts through the wind like a hot knife cuts through butter, and you could make it back to TEXAS before classes start.
You’d be coasting downhill literally all the way home…and you’d swear you never mashed a pedal. LOL.
Aluminum frame with carbon forks and handle bars that absorb the road roughness, and a graphite beam supporting the seat that makes you feel like you’re sitting / riding in a German suspension car. Literally soaks up the road roughness before it gets to the body. Bladed spokes cut through the wind like a hot knife cuts through butter.
He REALLY is on the road, saw him on the Hi-line in Northern montana today....pedaling away into Blain County!
Had to stop and say hi!
I bet you knew right away it couldn't be anyone else!
I did...
Here's some photos my buddy's wife took as I was headed out of Great Falls. For some reason some residents of the Rocky Boys Rez found this attire amusing. Hey, might have saved my life......
Could happen. How could I visit Montana with cycling to the Hi-Line? Seriously running out of time here tho, my bike ships out Monday, however far I get my buddy is gonna come get me, drive me back to GF.
I would like to ride to the Canuck border but I dunno that time permits.
Bird, I could ship you my triathlon bike, it cuts through the wind like a hot knife cuts through butter, and you could make it back to TEXAS before classes start.
You’d be coasting downhill literally all the way home…and you’d swear you never mashed a pedal. LOL.
Aluminum frame with carbon forks and handle bars that absorb the road roughness, and a graphite beam supporting the seat that makes you feel like you’re sitting / riding in a German suspension car. Literally soaks up the road roughness before it gets to the body. Bladed spokes cut through the wind like a hot knife cuts through butter.
P.S. They outlawed it on the circuit, because it had such a competitive edge over the competition.
P.S.S. I can make you go faster, and faster…like the 6-million dollar man.
P.S.S.S. Get your buddy with the Motorhome to run support for you, and you ride without the additional weight of your bags, and you’ll literally fly home…I’ll guarantee.
ElkSlayer91: What kind of bike-Softride? -tnscouter
You get any pictures of you with Big Jim or The Grand Poobah up on the High-Line ?
Didn't happen, the GP was on a time-sensitive dog mission and could only stop for a moment, plumb forgot with Jim, when I go visit someone I usually don't take photos of them or there place figuring they woulda posted such already. Never occurred to me that I forgot to ask Jim for a photo until your post.
Damn.
Next time.
Pictures I did get, first day at least, were mostly of crappy road conditions and how I really didn't want to get run over.
For example the Hwy 84 bridge over the Missouri going north out of Great Falls, I rode the sidewalk...
Looking back on Great Falls from the top of that hill, heavy traffic but shoulder not bad....
Next hill about a mile along, almost no shoulder, I had to bail onto the grass about once every minute or two when there was traffic in both lanes, especially involving trucks. Got so bad I thought about turning back...
This is what that ten mile stretch of highway looked like from a car, took this from my buddy's SUV on the trip back. 70 - 80 mph traffic, and me, 'spect I was cursed at quite a bit, never did stray across that white fog stripe tho, and lost much time bailing onto the grass when necessary...
This was farm country, during the wheat harvest yet, and when that wide-load pilot vehicle came by ya better pay attention, I was thinking of these things as "cyclist sweepers", designed to sweep the shoulder of unwanted cyclists....
....and in a rare and unanticipated double cycle sweeper event, this other one tried to sneak up on me from behind while I was preoccupied with that first one...
The terrain was flat and open, hard to capture the sense of space and grandeur with an iphone camera. But it was obviously wheat season.
The summer up there has a fragile feel to it up here, I heard a rancher planning for TWO HUNDRED DAYS OF WINTER. That's not merely 200 days of just cold, but 200 days, six and one half months, of weather so cold a cow needs to be fed to survive.
Naturally only time for one crop a year, and up there it's wheat, and make it or break depends on a narrow window of time to get the crop in.
These things were everywhere, like giant lawn mowers. Some farmers have their own, others contract out, they ain't cheap. Fire is a major concern too, turns out a combine can be a fire-starting fool, and a whole mature wheat crop in the field can be lost as easy as a forest fire, especially given the usual winds out there in the open.
Tailwind all that first day, so once the shoulder got better and the traffic thinned out away from town I made pretty good time. I don't measure distance in miles on these things in miles but in time. Take the distance in miles, divide it by seven, and you'll prob'ly be there in less than that many hours including breaks. I got three chainrings up front (44-32-22) and a nine-speed cassette in back (12-36), a set-up for climbing on a heavily-loaded bike rather than for speed.
I use the original "friction" shifters on the downtube that came with the bike thirty years ago. A friction-shifter doesn't click between numbered-gears, you find the correct gear by feel, moving the shift lever until you get a gear you want. Knowing which chainring you're on up front is easy; there's only three and they are in plain view between your feet. Knowing exactly which of the nine gears you're on in back is a whole different story, hard to see from the saddle and there's nine. All I know for sure is the top gear (12 teeth) and the lowest gear (36 teeth), never sure which of the other seven in between I'm on.
So I look down at the shift levers to judge my approximate speed ergo time to the next landmark. Shift levers in this position mean I'm on the middle range (32 teeth) chainring and about halfway down the nine gears on the cassette on the back wheel, ergo about ten miles per hour.....
OTOH I already know I'm crawling along at 4 or 5 mph when the shift levers are in this position, 22 tooth chainring in front, 36 tooth cog in back, means I'm climbing a hill, like that firggin' long one coming up from the Marias in the Missouri Breaks to that high point where Merriwether Lewis stood to get his bearings just a bit over 213 years ago.
I believe this could be called a "prairie pothole"; a small body of water occupying a depression on the prairie. I had always read from Ducks Unlimited how important these potholes are to waterfowl. Its true, they were packed, on this one along the road I counted more than 100 half-grown ducklings. If there were any adult males present they musta been in eclipse plumage, I was looking at hens and their broods, they looked to be a mix of gadwall and shoveller.
The Missouri Breaks around Fort Benton came as a complete surprise, one of those hidden canyons on the Plains, coming from the South on 84 you don't see them at all until you're right up on them and the ground suddenly opens up.
Used to be we all used paper maps to get around, and those paper maps communicated varying degrees of information. Nowadays most of us use things like the Google Maps app on our phones which communicate no additional information at all other than route and distance (and topography profile of the route if you're using the bicycle option). So it was going in I had no idea of the significance of Fort Benton as an embarkation point of the Rocky Mountain fur trade, the place where you could ride a boat up and float your furs back down on water all the way to St Louis and beyond. I dunno how many kazillion times I've seen the movie "Jeremiah Johnson" over the decades, but it would appear that Fort Benton is the river post intended to be depicted at the beginning of the movie ("Head due west as the sun sets, turn left at the Rocky Mountains.").
But, first time through I didn't know any of that, Fort Benton was merely a point on the map, I was 45 miles out of Great Falls, storm cells were closing in, and it was time to get something to eat and take a break. Ain't a big town by any means but I only got as far as the first convenience store before heading out two hours later after it stopped raining..
It was the dog statue on the climb back out to the highway out that tipped me off. Shep, buried up there on a point above what at one time was the train station.
Googling up that dog that evening opened up links to Fort Benton as a whole.
If ya would have asked me where the "Missouri Breaks" were before this trip, I woulda thought "in Missouri", fortunately we had the time to stop in at Fort Benton again on the return trip in a vehicle. Fort Benton today ain't even an hour from Great Falls and they have music festivals and such there, about where L&C were debating whether the Marias or what we now know today was the Missouri all along was the real Gateway to the West.
It was here too, that Lewis and three companions felt "unspeakable satisfaction" when they heard the signal shots of their company on the river below, they had just got done with a 24 hour flight after killing two young Blackfeet men after said Blackfeet had treacherously tried to steal their rifles during a parlay. Dunno whether said Blackfeet considered stealing a capital crime at the time, material objects often changed hands among the Indians, dunno for sure either if it was those two killings sparked the implacable hostility of the Blackfeet, but the Blackfeet would be the trappers' nemesis and the bad boys on the Northern Plains for another thirty years, up until the great smallpox epidemic of 1837/38 absolutely devastated both them and the Mandans, leaving a power vacuum for rival tribes to occupy, those familiar tribal names from the 1870's.
I gotta say the Lewis, Clark and Sacajawea statue on the riverfront in Fort Benton is maybe the most aesthetically pleasing statue I have ever come across (or maybe second after those bare-breasted young women kicking out the filibuster William Walker in downtown San Jose, Costa Rica)....
Here's the river at that point, IIRC the highest point of navigation for a paddle-wheeler, hence the port....
...and the fort, IIRC built in 1840....
....and a minor footnote of history from 1877: The Nez Perce on their bid to escape to Canada passed close to Fort Benton, and a group of fifty "Irish Fenians" from around Fort Benton sallied out to intercept them, bringing a mountain howitzer on a boat. Not sure why they would, but when they DID find the Indians one Irishman was killed and another wounded, the other 48 finding Indian wars to be not as much fun as they had anticipated.
How big is the actual Fort. Hard to tell from the photo. I assume it would have been pretty small, especially considering when and where it was constructed. I can’t imagine how tough life was there at that time in the winter.
I’ve read about it and would like to see it if I ever pass through that way again someday.
Big Jim, you didn’t try to offer Mike a horse to ride instead of that ole wore out bike ? 😜 Picts of you and him on a trail ride would have been epic. 🤠
You were just a stone throw from the Shonkin where Jack Nicholson had an implement business in the movie “Missouri Breaks.”
Well hey, thanks folks fer following along, I am aware this might not be the most compelling of travelogues at this point.
Anyways, leaving Loma there was no reason to hurry. Havre (pronounced "Haver") was a flat and easy 62 miles away, whereas Jim's place was significantly further'n that, a bit long for one day. Rolled out about 11 and made that long climb up to Lewis's lookout (this one looking east from there across the road, right near where they have provided a pull-out area to use your cell phones on account of phone coverage sucks in the Breaks)
Halfway point was gonna be Big Sandy, maybe 35 miles. Here about five miles out to the left in that sorta valley 'tween me and the distant Bear Paw Mountains. A sign at Lewis's Lookout had explained that before the last Ice Age the Missouri had run North (to Hudson's Bay ??) but that glacial till had filled the old channel and that the course had been redirected to the south and the Mississippi. Big Sandy laying along the old north river channel.
The final approach to Big Sandy. One thing unusual about Hwy 84 on the Great Falls/Havre stretch at least is that the highway does not run down the main streets of the towns that lay along its length. I thought this was the main drag to Big Sandy coming in, but it weren't. You had to turn right to find the town proper, in this case at the coffee shop/bookshop/book exchange/cultural center.
I stopped to eat in Big Sandy, where I met two Hispanic guys from Texas, up working with a mobile harvesting outfit.
B W I am glad you had a fun ride. there is no way I would do that in a truck much less a bike . i enjoyed riding with you on the fire
Flat is easy, .long as you ain't riding into an actual gale. The thing to remember about all these photos tho is the quote "TWO HUNDRED DAYS OF WINTER"
Anyways.....
Just like my Google Maps app told me nothing about Fort Benton, so it told me nothing about Box Elder, just eleven miles further along. While Box Elder doesn't apparently lie ON the Rez, it might as well do so, tho I wasn't aware of this until having ridden through it.
The Rocky Boys Rez had been suggested earlier in this thread as a place where a person such as myself might encounter hostile Indians, at least to the point of getting beat up. Indeed, I did pass an apparently notorious bar and grill right at the intersection called "Jingles", and indeed there were some darker-complected individuals in a couple of pickup trucks out front in the parking lot, but having just conversed with a couple of Texas Hispanics over lunch back in Big Sandy I just figured they was just more of the same, honest. (See, at powwows in South Texas the audience generally looks more Indian than the actual Indians). Not having looked at an actual map in several days, I had assumed the Rocky Boys Rez was off somewhere in BFE further east without reflecting upon the fact that I was actually IN BFE at that point.
Had I known I woulda ridden another eleven miles to Box Elder and had the famous "Jingleburger" as per the sign out front (which may have included some of yer own teeth I dunno ).
As it was, in my ignorance, I only took two photos in Box Elder. Being usually both dry and cold, Montana is a great place for classic cars, this one was parked next to some guy's mobile home....
...and then, in the middle of town (blink and you'll miss it) I came across this sign and thought "Hey, small world!" assuming the Agency mentioned was prob'ly some distance away over in the Bear Paw Mountains (in actuality the actual town of Box Elder, just like the town of Big Sandy, prob'ly lies off to the east of the highway).
Also of note in this photo note the dark line running down the horizon to the left of the highway. These were railway flatbed cars, at least fifteen miles of 'em parked along the rail line from north of Big Sandy to and through Box Elder, the kind of cars that each hold two stacked shipping containers straight from China or wherever. Gaps were left in the line to allow for roads and driveways. On the way back my buddy told me that a tunnel on that line did not allow for the passage of stacked shipping containers, relegating that whole stretch of rail to the status of a very long siding.
A bit further along I came across this way-cool billboard , which also shed further light on the probable ethnic composition of the town of Box Elder itself.....
Well damn, and I had just ridden right by.
A ways along though I came across this other building, which I swear from a distance looked like an Evangelical Church, or else that is what it would have been looking like that along a highway in Texas. What threw me is the sign out front which was mostly all white and heavenly-looking and not legible from a distance (strange choice of color scheme, I'll bet its invisible in a blizzard).
Just as I was taking these photos a car left the casino and turned left towards Box Elder, two young college age Indian-looking girls in front, and what looked like someone's high school age little brother riding in back, the driver's side front window was open. They looked to be having a good time in general and seemed to find me amusing. "What's he doin?" said the woman in the front passenger seat in what sounded like an American Indian accent. "He's takin pictures!" replied the driver in that same accent. "I'm from Texas!" I called out. "Here! take a picture of us!" the driver called back. So I did.
Note that there are TWO raised fingers in the photo, in a palm-forward "victory" gesture. Maybe she was the Girls Basketball Coach I dunno.
How big is the actual Fort. Hard to tell from the photo. I assume it would have been pretty small, especially considering when and where it was constructed. I can’t imagine how tough life was there at that time in the winter.
I’ve read about it and would like to see it if I ever pass through that way again someday.
Here's the photo again....
In front down the far end is a buffalo hide press, IIRC the cottonwood trunk attached was about 15 feet long, the whole structure has gotta be more'n 100 feet wide.
The turns out the fort wasn't built until 1846, after the classic fur trade period had ended, the blockhouse part dates from 1852.
Actually I did go inside for a look at the casino. Same ol' same ol' but they had free soft drinks. So I was in there for a while talking to the lady who was working the door. Turned out she was a single mom living in Havre who had been Tribal Police but who was making more money working at the casino. She said five years was the burnout time for Cops, that at five years you either stayed in for the duration or you got burned out and quit. She said she had become tired of the politics getting in the way of doing her job and quit.
OK, I had lingered two hours over lunch back in Big Sandy, and just burned another period of time inside the casino, still had time but if I wanted to be in Havre before dark I needed to roll, besides which once again there were stormed cells rolling in from the southwest. A bit later I had ANOTHER flat, front tire again. Flats up front are unusual, all that tire does is roll, flats most often occur in back, the drive wheel plus I was running on $160 worth of premium tires from Germany. One flat so far in 1,200 miles in back, but this was like the THIRD flat episode in that same distance in front. I had brung three spare tubes which shoulda been plenty for this last 145 mile ride, so now I was down to two and another multiple flat episode up front like back in Texas would leave me stranded. I could find no reason for the flat, might have been as simple as a loose valve core, but just in case, for the second time in this trip I broke out the spare Gatorskin tire I was carrying and switched out the front tire as well as the tube.
All this process took time. When I got the flat, since a storm cell was closing in I ad walked the bike about a half mile down the road to be in front of a house so I might find shelter somewhere if it started to rain and thunder. There I was with my bike upside down in front of their house, bags tools and pump laying on the ground. Turns out it was a tatooed biker and his tatooed wife, with two kids, no tatoos. Typical Montana friendly, they all came out to see me and brung me out a cold bottle of water, he offered me the use of an air compressor in his garage if I needed it.
Didn't want to take a photo of them or their house right there, but I did get one looking back as I was leaving.
I was only about 15 miles south of Havre at this point, but I had taken a long break in Big Sandy, stopped at the casino and then lost more time changing the tire, it would be almost full dark before I rolled in Havre and I really didn't want to spend money on a motel or even a campground if I could help it, all I needed was somewhere quiet to lay down and sleep. The goal was, as usual in such situations, to find a place along the right of way, reasonably flat but out of the reach of headlights, outside property lines adjacent to the road. the Came to a place with a steep bank up from the roadside, but with a flat space up top outside the fenceline. Not only that but the elevated position might be breezy ergo less mosquitos. Perfect.
Pushed the bike up the steep slope, there was a farmstead about 500 yards away, prob'ly the owner of the adjacent field. I wasn't exactly sneaking, I was wearing an orange shirt, and I was outside of property lines but its better if you're not noticed so I left my bike on its sidestand, pulled out my dark heavy cotton bedsheet and inflatable pillow, lay down in the long grass and waited on the dark. I have noticed that the mosquitoes here are really troublesome at dusk but that by an hour after dark or so they mostly leave you alone, so it was here. At first I just did the Africa thing; hid under the heavy cotton sheet until the mosquitoes let up.
It became a friggin beautiful night, clear skies overhead, distant lightning off to the east over the Bearpaws and to the southwest. When I sat up and looked around there was of course a glow to the north from Havre and lights around the western horizon but all that disappeared when I lay down, surrounded by the tall grass. Then too there was the highway just forty yards away but I zoned that out. I was laying in my own patch of darkness, dark sky above, milky way stretching across the sky (I zoned out all the passing space junk too). Down past my feet the westward movement of Scorpio and Jupiter along the southern horizon were marking the passage of time, Cygnus flew overhead along the milky way, and Polaris up here was strangely high in the northern sky. I lay wide awake for a long time but perfectly content, at peace. One of those times I would have happily passed away right there, slipped out of this life into the next.
The coyotes sounded off at about one in the morning, first a distant one to the east and then a whole family pack no more that 200 yards to the west on the other side of the highway, I drifted off to sleep.....
Holy crap, when that coyote sounded off just yards away at about two in the morning I about jumped out of my skin. At my age I often have issues getting up off of the ground but that time I was on my feet in like an instant. I took the headlight off of my bike and tried to pick up the eyeshine but no luck. I howled back and me and the coyote traded insults for a bit until we both got bored. I guess being called a SOB ain't really an insult to a coyote. Might be the coyote did me a favor, all the stars were gone, that formerly distant lightning to the southwest was now closing in, a strong cool wind that smelt of rain blew in, and a quick check of my iphone showed I was about to get hammered.
So I floundered around putting the tent up in the dark in the wind and flashing lightning, the empty tent blowing around like a kite in my hands until I threw a heavy bag from my bike in as ballast, got inside just as the rain was starting. Earlier that evening I had felt perfectly content and ready to pass away, now that I was on that same hill in a lightning storm inside a tent next to a steel bicycle I felt somewhat more ambivalent about the prospect.
Anyways nothing happened, the worst of it passing just to the south. I was out and on my way early. Left no trace.
If ya would have asked me where the "Missouri Breaks" were before this trip, I woulda thought "in Missouri", fortunately we had the time to stop in at Fort Benton again on the return trip in a vehicle.
2 very critical things you needed to leave out to maintain a positive image on the Campfire:
That statement and the pictures of you and a big brimmed straw hat. Until then, many would have considered you still a menacing force of knowledge, much like Bricktop before he posted a picture of himself and that bear...
If ya would have asked me where the "Missouri Breaks" were before this trip, I woulda thought "in Missouri", fortunately we had the time to stop in at Fort Benton again on the return trip in a vehicle.
2 very critical things you needed to leave out to maintain a positive image on the Campfire:
That statement and the pictures of you and a big brimmed straw hat. Until then, many would have considered you still a menacing force of knowledge, much like Bricktop before he posted a picture of himself and that bear...
Chit happens.
I’m Irish. Thirty years outside in the sticks in South Texas has learned me not to screw around when it comes to hats. You ever cross 500 miles of West Texas on a bicycle right after the solstice?
That hat did get me a lot of recognition; pretty much everywhere I went people told me they had seen me on the road several miles and a day or two earlier, including a lady at the diner in Havre that morning who had seen me leaving Great Falls. Some bikers in Yellowstone were waving too, same reason.
I had heard of the movie, never seen it. somewhere there’s a connection to that classic Paul Rogers anthem from the ‘70’s; “Bad Company”, a favorite tune from my youth
Anyways, with respect to those two Indian girls, inviting me to take their photo like they did was a bit over the top, even for me. I’m thinking they had maybe passed me a bit earlier taking a photo of them and the rest of their team on that billboard, picked up little brother at work, and then seen me again out front of the casino.
I gotta admit tho, I liked this hat better, Having a canted-up or rolled-up brim on a hat like they do on Stetsons makes no sense at all other than style, and style ain't gonna block the sun. This 2014 hat came from REI, seen here towards the end of its useful life, I bought it specifically for that trip but the previous 33 days had been rough on it. They no longer carry it.
So here's that 5,000 calories per day stud from five years back, Right at 2,000 miles
Surprisingly hard sometimes to find a good hat tho. I got my present one I used on this trip from the Army/Navy Store in Aransas Pass TX, on the corner down the street from HEB, run by that Korean lady. Far and away the best place I have found for serious hats. She caters to fishermen on the Coast. I always stop in whenever I'm down there.
If ya would have asked me where the "Missouri Breaks" were before this trip, I woulda thought "in Missouri", fortunately we had the time to stop in at Fort Benton again on the return trip in a vehicle.
2 very critical things you needed to leave out to maintain a positive image on the Campfire:
That statement and the pictures of you and a big brimmed straw hat. Until then, many would have considered you still a menacing force of knowledge, much like Bricktop before he posted a picture of himself and that bear...
Chit happens.
I’m Irish. Thirty years outside in the sticks in South Texas has learned me not to screw around when it comes to hats. You ever cross 500 miles of West Texas on a bicycle right after the solstice?
I grew up in the sticks of Montana and this guy learned me that no man worth his salt wears a straw hat. You never get any work out of them because they are always rolling a cigarette or chasing their hat...
I grew up in the sticks of Montana and this guy learned me that no man worth his salt wears a straw hat.
Maybe these guys feel the same way
I don't screw around with salt either: Lite Salt is half and half KCl and NaCl, cut it with sea salt and you're about 2:1 NaCl to KCl, same as commercial rehydration salts.
IME heat and sun ain't near as bad up here tho as it is down in Texas.
Comparing the 2 calorie burners here, the guy in the cowboy hat probably burned up more calories before breakfast than the biker guy. The reference to salt has to do with the understanding of the net worth of any laborer that might sit at the table and how much salt he would use. It didn't matter what element followed the sodium on a periodical chart, it was all about what you got for the salt he might use...
Comparing the 2 calorie burners here, the guy in the cowboy hat probably burned up more calories before breakfast than the biker guy. The reference to salt has to do with the understanding of the net worth of any laborer that might sit at the table and how much salt he would use. It didn't matter what element followed the sodium on a periodical chart, it was all about what you got for the salt he might use...
No worries, in the movie he gets to be Clint Walker and me the comic relief.
I will edit in the fact that your body doesn't give a rip about the Periodic Table either, but without potassium to replace what you lost when sweating profusely all day in the heat you're sooner or later gonna end up a cramping fool. I hate it when I can't hardly walk at the end of the day without spasms.
Wonder why factories, construction companies, etc., that involve high heat working conditions quit putting out salt tablet dispensers for workers years ago and went to 'Gatorade' and like liquid drinks instead?
Still more interesting observations from your trip, Birdie.......... Two thumbs up.
Truly a personal adventure that most here wouldn't even consider. Good job and thanks for sharing it with us.
I'm still blown away that I can look at a bicycle and decide which route I wanna take to cross North America
Back to the trip.
Jim's place weren't all that far away, an easy day, no rush.
First thing of interest I seen when underway that morning was this marker for Fort Assiniboin, built in 1879 to counter any incursions by Sitting Bull's Lakotas in exile in Canada. In hindsight this sounds sorta ludicrous but perhaps a testimony to the profound effect Custer's defeat on the Little Big Horn just three years earlier had on the national psyche.
Wasn't much to see, just a few red brick buildings way in the background.
...and a local issue..... dunno what to make of it....
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Seen three of these on the descent to the Milk River Valley, State-run waterfowl production areas, looked like all at different elevations along the slope . I dunno if they were natural and how that related to the water table.
One last turn and then.... AT LAST.... HE FRIGGIN' LEGENDARY HI-LINE..... see them hills in the background? That was on the Hi-Line. Hey, if it weren't for visiting Jim I coulda turned around right there.....
...but if I had I woulda prob'ly spent the rest of my life blissfully unaware of an unfolding tragedy......
Birdwatcher is this how it ends? how about the tales from visiting with big Jim? and the trip home?
Almost done, and no really spectacular photos, turns out no one goes to the Hi Line for the scenery.
Route 2 runs along east and west along the Milk River Valley at this point, so it was a surprise to be faced with an immediate climb over a tall riverside bluff to get to Havre itself. IIRC the bluff was two or three hundred yards wide, enough for a fairgrounds and shopping mall. The mall lay between the highway and the river, and immediately in back is the site of a buffalo jump from back in the days.
I've seen a couple of buffalo jump sites up here now, it weren't rocket science, all you needed was a high enough dropoff with a relatively level approach from the top side. Without looking it up I'm pretty sure most of this area was created by volcanic deposition of ash and such, makes for an easily eroded level plain. For example any number of sites on the plains above the Missouri Breaks like the photos I posted earlier on this thread would probably have worked as a buffalo jump.
In the Havre one they would have had to steer the buffalo herd out on that wide bluff and keep them running north instead of downhill to the east or west. I will say the Havre Buffalo Jump was the tallest drop-off I saw labelled as such. I saw another one on the drive to the Bear Paws Battlefield that might not have even been 100ft tall. Just had to be big enough to immobilize a fallen buffalo I'd guess.
The Havre Buffalo Jump weren't open yet, and advertised "Native America Guides" which indicated a price of admission, and there are Native American Guides and Native American Guides of course, not all of whom know much about what they are talking about. There is a strong Indian presence up on the Hi-Line (Blackfoot, Rocky Boys and Fort Berthold Rezzes??) as reflected in the hyperbole of some of the historical markers, like this one for the Bear Paws Battllefield....
I had been repeatedly running into traces of the Nez Perce on this trip all the way since Yellowstone.
No one argues that the Nez Perce got the short end of the stick, and both the record of their flight and their skill in battle turned out to be remarkable. I suppose the language in the marker ain't any more extravagant than any number of markers about White guys in other places. I do wish tho somebody would mention Poker Joe, one of those important bit players in history that often get overlooked.
Now THAT guy could probably tell some stories, and if they had followed his advice the whole time all 700+ fugitives would almost certainly have escaped to Canada. Presumably Joe was also a good poker player, maybe he might have majored in Math or Statistics if he were around today.
I didn't get a photo looking down off of the buffalo jump, its right behind the parking lot in back and they have it fenced off (maybe so it don't become a Mustang, Jeep or Tacoma jump) but looking down the east side of the bluff towards Havre you can get an idea of the elevation...
On the way down it did occur to me that I didn't have a photo of my bike and a Hi-Line marker like I shoulda done against the HIghway 2 sign in the first-look photo earlier, but I found this one on my way down the hill.
A couple of details in this photo that were of some import to me at the time: You may note the original front tire, an $80 700x35mm Schwalbe Mondial hanging from the left pannier, I was running these tires with their fairly aggressive treads in anticipation of long stretches of dirt road, which never happened until the last miles to Jim's place. In place of the Mondial I was running my emergency backup Continental Gatorskin, a considerably narrower street slick with no tread at all but which is relatively lightweight and compact if carried as a spare.
I was somewhat apprehensive about running that slick on the gravel roads to Jim's but it turned out at the speeds I ride it wasn't a problem, what WAS good was the treaded wider Mondial in back, I didn't spin out and lose traction all the time like I do with a slick in back.
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQTqtX]
More or less flat going out of Havre, the shoulder along Hwy 2 was an uneven quantity, maybe depending on the contractor who applied the latest layer of asphalt. Of note is that Hwy 2 comprises a major part of the Northern Tier Transcontinental Bicycle Trail, prob'ly ridden by hundreds of cross-country cyclists every year, it is also a major traffic artery in the State of Montana, The Rt 2 part must suck both for the cyclists and the motorists and truckers that gotta deal with 'em.
TIme to finish up. I have no photos of Jim's place or of us, we simply forgot to take one. Spent the whole time talking, like TImbermaster (who brung me a sleeping bag several pages back ) said, pretty much our genial conversation ran along the lines of the 'Fire. Plus I got to meet his great family. Jim is among the more fortunate of us here on the 'Fire.
I got there in the afternoon, early the next morning my buddy left Great Falls and covered in just two or three hours what took me three days, and we drove back to his place.
Bike is already getting packed up and shipped out, here in Great Falls we are driving out Glacier in a couple of days, then back to the grindstone fer me, except I don't really work for a living
Last photo I have of the bicycle part of the trip: The road to Jim's place, looking north.....
Last photo of the bicycle itself; a purpose-built touring bike, designed to carry a significant load comfortably at moderate speeds all day long. That bike just devours the miles
2,000 miles TX to NY in '14, 1,500 miles England/Scotland/Ireland/France in '16, and most recently 1,250 miles of Texas/Wyoming/Montana since late June. All of that and I STILL have problems running around the block. Which is an indication of what a good bicycle can do for ya.
I had been crossing paths with the Nez Perce Trail ever since Yellowstone on this trip, so after my friend picked me and the bike up, we went out of our way to see the Bear Paw Battlefield. Naivete runs like a thread through the Nez Perce saga. From the accounts, at first they thought if they cleared out of Idaho to Montana they would be left alone, and after they had whupped the soldiers sent against them like four times they thought they had left pursuit behind for a while, and so more'n 700 of them stopped to camp in this hollow, let down their guard, and hunted buffalo just one long day's travel from refuge in Canada. It was here that General Miles and 520 men, including elements of the 2nd and 7th Cavalry, caught them by surprise, outnumbering the approximately 200 combat effectives in the the Indian camp by more that 2:1, perhaps closer to 3:1 after some of the Indians made their escape.
The other thread that ran through this whole saga was that the Indians were good shots, something of a puzzle given the motley nature of their firearms at the beginning of the conflict, them becoming better armed with U- issue carbines and rifles captured or picked up on the battlefields along the way. Actually, if you get past Frontier Pop History and read into it closely, Indians had been good shots for at least 170 years prior to 1877. As it was the 110 men of the 7th Cavalry suffered 40% casualties in their opening attack, picked off by methodical fire at the hands of Nez Perce marksmen and the battle devolved into a five-day siege. Two hundred of the Nez Perce accompanied by some of the warriors made their escape at the onset, a company of Cavalry was sent in pursuit, but as happened repeatedly in this campaign were driven back by well-aimed rifle fire.
Well, there it went; another bicycle expedition. God willing, I can do another one in 2021.
Birdwatcher is this how it ends? how about the tales from visiting with big Jim? and the trip home?
.......
The Havre Buffalo Jump weren't open yet, and advertised "Native America Guides" which indicated a price of admission, and there are Native American Guides and Native American Guides of course, not all of whom know much about what they are talking about. There is a strong Indian presence up on the Hi-Line (Blackfoot, Rocky Boys and Fort Berthold Rezzes??) as reflected in the hyperbole of some of the historical markers, like this one for the Bear Paws Battllefield....
I had been repeatedly running into traces of the Nez Perce on this trip all the way since Yellowstone.
No one argues that the Nez Perce got the short end of the stick, and both the record of their flight and their skill in battle turned out to be remarkable. I suppose the language in the marker ain't any more extravagant than any number of markers about White guys in other places. I do wish tho somebody would mention Poker Joe, one of those important bit players in history that often get overlooked.
Exactly, reads just like a confederate monument. subtext, "it tweren't fair, I know we could lick 'em in fair fight, if we just had a do over"
If you do it, or something similar, next year there better be pics and stories like this year.
Make it far NE California on the Oregon Trail and I'll see to it we make a space on the floor, back deck, or out in the sagebrush for you. We even have a spare bed if you'd use it.
We'll visit Captain Jack's Stronghold and the area where the Modoc War was.
If you do it, or something similar, next year there better be pics and stories like this year.
Make it far NE California on the Oregon Trail and I'll see to it we make a space on the floor, back deck, or out in the sagebrush for you. We even have a spare bed if you'd use it.
We'll visit Captain Jack's Stronghold and the area where the Modoc War was.
Geno
Hey, thanks fer the invite, ya never know....
I do need a "do over" as this trip was interrupted helping a friend drive home.
I did this whole 29 day trip for about $2,000 over what my usual expenses woulda been had I sat out another summer at home, said extra expense earned in advance in the spring on breeding bird surveys. Sure beat the heck out of sitting at home.
I am blown away by the fact that I have so many good friends, here and elsewhere.
One destination left; me and my buddy are driving out to Glacier this weekend, then I fly home, the bike is already on its way.
Have fun and be safe. Look forward to your reports along the way.
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, glad I was that I didn't try it at the end of the day before. The operative word in "Texas Hill Country" is "Hill". My steel-framed touring bike weighs 33 pounds naked, add front and rear rack and four panniers; +20 pounds, add 40lbs of clothes, camping gear, bike tools, tubes, spare tire, laptop and water and you're looking at 90lbs give or take. Its geared low for climbing but ya still feel ever pound.![[Linked Image]](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48133101737_39ccbb853a.jpg)
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