This glorious day of riding had an auspicious start. There was absolutely no place to buy food in this town except the restaurant even tho my Adventure Cycling map said ‘all services’. NOT. No grocery store, no convenience store, only the restaurant of the lodge. So last night, I asked if there was anyway I could order a breakfast sandwich. Have them make it that night and then nuke it for me at 7 when the chef comes in. Restaurant didn’t open til 8. I really wanted to be on the road early with two passes. They said, “yeah he can and would do that”. So I paid for it last night but no one showed up this morn. So I left a note saying I couldn’t wait and to give it to someone else. ARGH! Fortunately, I had a small breakfast bar, but I knew that wouldn’t go far. And my room had a coffee pot and a desk lamp but no where to plug them in. Really? I had to pull a chair from the bedroom and sit the coffee pot on it, blocking the entrance to the bedroom. Unreal. But, I got my coffee. So I was running on caffeine and a measly breakfast bar. I was hungry halfway to my destination.

As a result, I talked to myself and my bike a lot. I told myself this was a day to burn fat. So do it. And, I told my bike, who is called Eby, pronounced ee-bee, long e’s, that he really needed to help me today cause I was gonna run out of steam.

The ride was a gentle rolling 10 miles, then an easy two mile climb to Big Hole Pass.

The Top

As soon as I reached the top, it started to sprinkle, then went into a full- fledged shower. Oh. Boy. Not what I wanted, but I did expect it because those blue skies of yesterday were gone this morn. Another reason why I wanted to get on the road early.

Once I got down the steep part. I cranked it up, trying to stay ahead of the main shower. I did pretty good until almost the top of the second pass, which did not have a sign. I kept watching the storm, and it was intimidating to think it was going to catch me again.

This doesn’t show it very well, but it was a big cloud bank following me for over 20 miles. Stress!

The second pass was steeper and longer than the first, and the downhill went on forever. I coasted on what looked like to be flat for over 15 miles. Awesome and with no rain.

I stopped in Dillon and ate lunch, then got goodies for supper and breakfast. Rode out of town to Bike Walk Southwestern Montana, a camp for cyclists where you can camp or stay in a cabin, shower and bathrooms available. 🚻

More showers predicted for tomorrow, but I’m dry tonite. Hope to get on the road super early to beat the 9am showers.