Day 15 -Meet the Old West

Day 15 - Dillon, MT to Ennis, MT - 71 miles - 2674 ft of elevation change

It’s after midnight and I had just finished typing up the day’s post on my computer and then was switching to my phone to load the pictures, well something went amuck and I lost everything that I had just typed. So this second version may not be as good as the first, but I will attempt to recreate it. It’s a good thing we have a rest day tomorrow and are already planning to get up at 2:30am to go see the stars and hopefully the blood moon.

We rolled out of Dillon a little after 8am and were met by a road with small shoulders. One thing you learn traveling across this vast country is that every area has a different concept of traffic. Being from Lancaster, PA where 50% of the US population lives within a 500 mile radius, we have a very different view of traffic than say in rural Montana. We have also learned that every driver has a different view of what is a safe passing distance from a bike rider. The PA law is 4ft of distance away from a bike, I’m not sure what other state’s laws are, but I can tell you that not every driver even gives a foot. We met a couple that have pool noodles attached to their panniers (bike bags) to give drivers the hint to move over. I guess if they don’t move over, the pool noodle whack is extra motivation to keep rolling.

I love being surrounded by mountains on these rides, I know that is going to change as we approach eastern Montana and beyond. So even though I know the mountains mean more climbing, I will cherish the views. We had a big climb looming near the end of today’s ride, which I’m not sure is great motivation to keep rolling, but we did nonetheless. I saw some deer popping out of the grass fields as we rolled towards Twin Bridges.

The boys have been doing really well over these 15 days with the aches and pains that come with riding day-after-day and passing the 900 mile mark. Today one of the boys was struggling in the morning and it was becoming difficult to keep the team rolling together. I suggested to Mike that maybe we should stop and pray for sore muscles. As I was checking on where the SAG vehicle was parked, the boys and two leaders gathered to pray. These are the moments this trip is about, caring for each other and learning that God is there to listen (even about self-inflicted muscle pains). Mike did a devotion near the beginning of the trip on all of the “one another” phrases in the Bible. Our team verse just happens to be:

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, Hebrews 10:24

So as we spur one another on to the East Coast, we are remembering that this is really about caring for one another and bearing each other’s burdens. By the end of the day, muscle pains didn’t seem to be an issue any more.

As we left Sheridan, the terrain started to change from grassy fields with mountains in the distance, to rocky hills and mountains getting closer. We entered Nevada City, an old mining town straight out of the 1800s. We stopped for a few pictures, we definitely could have found more worthy picture spots, but lunch was calling us forward. Our SAG vehicle was waiting just before the entrance to Virginia City. We filled up on PBJ and turkey sandwiches before continuing on the 3.7 miles left of climbing to the top of the mountain. Virginia City was not as cool as Nevada City, in my opinion, it was more of a tourist town made to look old. We stopped for one picture of Zander filling his bike with fuel from a 1950s style pump (a joke of course).

The temps were in the 90s as we made our ascent. I was quickly passed and was bringing up the rear. It was hot, but there were a few moments of a breeze which kept me from sweating too badly. I didn’t have to climb blind like the other day, but I was definitely hot and dripping. At .5 miles from the top, I passed one of the boys walking his bike. I asked if he was okay and he responded, “terrible!” (This is a normal response from him on hills). I further inquired whether it was muscles or tires, and got no response. I surmised it was the muscles and mind, so I continued on. He got to the top and announced that every time he stopped the cow that was following him from the field would moo, I’m not sure that he found it motivational!

Near the top of the descent a few of us stopped for a photo op. It was stunning! This descent was amazing (well which one hasn’t been really), but there was a long straight stretch followed by a gentle S-curve. Most of us were flying down the mountain. I passed Mike and crouched down for a wild ride. The side wind was a little strong, so I was glad to keep the tires attached to the road, but what a descent!

We are all glad to have a rest day and hopefully enjoy some time at a lake tomorrow.