"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thouroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming - "WOW - What a Ride!" ~ Hunter S. Thompson

Wednesday, June 20, 2012  (Day 14)
Twin Bridges Bike Camp, Twin Bridges,  MT
Miles:  79  MPH:  13  Max:  37  Total:  843

Good Morning Montana!

Biked through a cattle herd today!! Just normal life in Montana!!

New Friends!

It was a cold morning ride!

Woke to frost covered grass with temps in the 20's.  Only 2 brave tent campers last night and their tents were white with frost.  Total peace and tranquility surrounded the first hour of our ride.   Not a single car passed and the only sounds were the birds chirping.  Many deer and cattle stared from the roadside.  Then . . . the dreaded sign -- "Truck Chain Up Area!!"  We climbed Big Hole pass at 7360 feet high.  Then a cruel down hill only to have to climb again to Badger Pass at 6,760 feet high.  But then it was downhill for the next glorious 30 miles!  Awesome!!  The landscape is immense.  Not sure it can be captured in a photo -- it's just huge with mountains all around.

Day's View!

We met two riders biking the Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico.  Took photos together like we were old friends, exchanged Blogs and said good-bye as their route was more off road biking!

Rob rode with us most of the day.  A bull walking along the road stared at us......then more cattle roamed freely on the road.  Gingerly we slowly biked down the center white line.  I was saying things like, "Hi cows!  I'm from Lancaster, PA.  We have cows there also!  We love cows!!!"  A van stopped and called to us, "They're herding cattle up the road.  Just wanted to let you know."  We smiled and said, "thanks."  As she pulled away we looked at each other and said, "What the heck is that suppose to mean?"  Then a sea of black covered the roadway as hundreds of cows and their babies circled the road.  Cattle were charging down the road and we were in the middle!  OMG!  Scared to death!!!  It was like a movie with cowboys on horseback with rope in hand moving the herd!


Took a much needed coffee stop at the "Bad Ass Coffee Cafe" in Dillon, a cute college town.  A homemade white chocolate and cranberry scone made a great reward for the day's climbs!

In Twin Bridges, we stayed at the Free Biker's Camp!  A closed pavilion, grass for tents, shower, toilet, grill, hose to clean bikes, and a bike stand!!!  Wow!!  Wonderful place!  We grilled hotdogs for a great dinner!

Met a Dutchman biker there.  In 2008 he and his wife set off from Astoria, Oregon to bike across the US.  After crossing Lolo Pass, on the way to Missoula, his wife suffered a heart attack and died.  He has returned this year, flew into Denver, Colorado and is making his way back to light a candle.  At 73 he can't make the climbs so he is hitchhiking the hills!  Very touched by his story.....

Great day today!!
xo