To Missoula, MT

Saturday the 16th dawned bright, sunny and very cool with temps hovering around 45F. We packed up and had a quick breakfast and headed out on another beautiful ride.  We rode to the Big Hole Battlefield and the Visitors Center was closed for renovations.  I asked the ranger why the work wasn't done in the winter and his reply was that the work was scheduled to be done by mid April """But"" now it is to be finished by October, just in time for the snow.
Our ride over Chief Joseph Pass was great, long stretches with no vehicles and just the wilderness and me and my bike. Very quiet and tranquil. The climb was not too bad and the summit was scenic.

Not the best picture but you get the point, its the top of the pass. The decent was excellent with speeds up to 42 miles an hour.  I do like the speed and the curves.

We rode on into Darby, MT and this weekend was the Darby Days Celebration and our campground was across the street from the park that had the Lumberjack Competitions  and of course the band at night.  Well the band played until 1 AM.  I did have the cooking duties and I vowed not to cook pasta, enough is enough, so I grilled Chicken breasts and we made nice sandwiches with a 4 bean salad and cheese cake for desert.

The 5 Amigo's did go to the local saloon for a couple of beers after dinner and the place was packed, noisy and smokey, they still smoke in bars here.

OK, well getting to sleep after a 77 mile ride is no problem for me, so the so called music did not keep me awake, but some of our group complained the next morning. Life can be tough on the road.

Sunday we headed for Missoula and this was another wonderful ride.  We rode to Stevensville where we stopped for breakfast, our first breakfast was at camp, but is was not enough. then we rode on through Florence and Lolo before riding into Missoula

This is the most bike friendly city we have seen yet.  There are bike lanes on all of the  main roads and Many, Many people ride bike here.  It is really wonderful to see and the vehicle drivers are also great, maybe because so many of them must ride bikes.

Rather than stay 3 miles out of town at a campground, I got a room at the Days Inn in the center of town.  Close to everything like to post office, Adventure Cycling HQ, two bike shops, and of course the local brew Pub.

Today we went to the Adventure Cycling HQ and got a tour and they provided lunch and took a group picture, and I purchased a TransAm jersey.

I did go the the bike shop today and purchase a new rear cog set.  The old set was badly warn and causing me some shifting problems but now we are a good as new.

Tonight we will be going out for dinner and of course a stop at the brew pub, well maybe both together.

Life is really Good

Bobo