I was feeling guilty for not pushing another 20 miles, but I unloaded my bike and took a shower, and came out to rain. Ok. Wise move to stop.

Nice and sunny but cool the first flattish 20 miles. Then I got hot. Dressed for the 30 degrees they said it was. Sure didn’t feel like it with the sun.

I have to say I have seen, I tho’t every type of shoulder before today. NOT. How about a 12 inch rumble strip, then 12 inch shoulder next to GUARD RAILS. Oh, My gosh. Talk about suicide. I rode on the road and made everyone get over. Not riding in that death trap. Plus, my panniers might have rubbed the guard rails, forcing me into who knows what. Never seen that before.

The ride itself was on a frontage road for 30 miles. Beautiful flat and some rolling hills. Scenery was great, but road conditions left a lot to be desired. Got into town, and people were so nice helping me to find the bike shop and the campgrounds where I wanted to go. Have a sleeper cabin again tonight, but so much better than the last one. About twice as much, too. But you get what you pay for. And I have to say, motels and campgrounds are way out of sight with what they charge. I’ll pay for a cruise by the time I get home. I tho’t getting a cabin at an rv park would be soooo much cheaper than a motel room, but some are about the same. Oh, well. This is my 75th celebration ride. Can’t take money with you. Might not have any left by the time I get home though.

Stopped in Bozeman at a bike shop and got my tires pumped up. They are doing great. I could use my hand pump, and will when I need to, but love it when a bike shop is handy. I had them clean my chain while I was there. Eby is ready now for the isolated parts of WY. Just hope that bad weather leaves the area. All across the US, there are weather issues. Glad I’m not in TX or the Carolinas. Hate to even think about heading that direction. And, where I’m headed in Colorado is just as bad. So far, I’ve only had to deal with cold and rain. I can take that. Tornados, NO, triple digit heat, NO. This might be a challenge of epic proportions.

Tomorrow, I have to get on the interstate the first six miles. No biggy. I’ve had to do that before. And I checked. It is legal for a bike to ride on the interstate in MT. Good to know. I had a dream last night that a state trooper pulled me over and told me I had to get off the interstate. Yeah, like I will as soon as there is an exit. Think I want to be on here?

So the campground lady told me there is no shoulder on the interstate. I can’t imagine. Any interstate I’ve been on has at least a four foot shoulder where you feel sorta safe from the big trucks. Geez. Hope I don’t fret about that all night. Supposedly, I am going to be going over Bozeman Pass, but she said it is basically flat. Just lots of curves. Yeah, right. We’ll see. I’ve never seen a flat pass yet.

I’m telling you, talking to the locals is kinda funny. First, they have no concept of flat. No one who drives a car does. And, I’m finding that I can’t believe all they say. I get several opinions and go with the majority. AND, THEN MAYBE JUST TRUST MY GUT.

Sure loving this roomy cabin with a nice soft bed even though I have no bathroom. Privacy and comfort. Until tomorrow.