Slow ups, fast downs, and a bridge too far.
After a great and relaxing time ( though each of our sleep was not great), today held a BIG bite.
Option 1: Make it a short 40ish mile day to Helena over two big passes, the last being Priest Pass, and call it a day after 4 hours. Get lodging and live to ride again.
Option 2: Remote camp somewhere after Helena in grizzly country.
Option 3: make it a huge day with the aforementioned passes, Lava Mountain ( one of the most difficult climbs in the divide due to terrain, and another big pass. Total of round 9000’+ of climbing, and make it Butte and the amenities there.
We Chose option 3. 🤷🏻♂️
Since we couldn’t sleep, we got an early start, rolling at 0600 from the Alpaca Farm and the incredible hosts John and Barbara.
As I’ve mentioned, Luke is a beast! I didn’t feel horrible and he still just rode me off his wheel. Just riding his pace.
We reconnected at the top of Priest Pass, about 3000’ of climbing and 2+ hours later.
We gathered up and found ourselves in Helena,MT about 0935. First task of the morning was resupply at a grocery store. Second was to get breakfast. (Shayla says I can’t use the term “brekkie” any longer. 🤣)
Luke got some local k college from a nice lady at the market and we proceeded to Firetower Coffee for a great meal and coffee. We also had the owner of the brewery next door offer us a free beer, but we got o. The road less we end the day.
The next order of Business was Lava Mountain. As soon as we left Helena we wer
Passed by a young TD racer. Luke easily matched his pace with his normal riding. I did not. It was at this point that Luke and I parted for the day. 🤣
Lava Mountain for me was a lil’slice of heaven. Ha! It was 4 hours of climbing hell!
I eventually caught the young TD racer suffering at the shit trail at the top. Managing ruts, rocks, and deadfall. At one point I heard a cracking sound followed by a ginormous crash as a tree fell about 30’ in front of me across the trail!!
Now passing about 10 hours on the trail, I had drank 7 liters (about 14 large water bottles).
Immediately after finishing the shit descent at the very top I stopped to filter another 3 liters of water.
Following a crap descent the first couple of miles and a much faster rest of the 17 mile downhill I rolled into Basin, MT. Luke was now about 2 hours ahead of me.
In all honesty I was cracked. Finishing the entire route would have been another 4 hours and put me in after 10 PM. Too much for this cowboy. I ordered a beer and called Lola, about 30 Minutes away in Butte and asked if she’s like to join me for a beer. She did and we spent the next hours laughing and talking to the locals. The bartender’s family is from Raton and knew all of mine and a bunch of Lola’s friends. I’ll never forget the great hospitality at the Silver Saddle Bar and Cafe!
One of the locals bought us a round
So we bought the entire bar a round! (OK, there was only six people there.🤣🤣)
Yep. That ended my day. I cut the last 30 miles from the route. I content with that.
I’ll meet Luke and see what tomorrow brings us, as he’s safely made it to Butte. Beast!
Ride On!
Shane
