Today was our first real
indoctrination into the challenges posed by the great Rockies. Traveling from Browning, Montana to St. Mary, Montana we saw the true and full
majesty of the great Rocky Mountains as we passed through and
over them. They are a daunting obstacle when bicycling across the country. We
traveled over multiple passes today where recreational vehicles struggled. Pass
after pass just about did us in at times.
The scenery was breathtaking and the ride exciting and exhilarating
especially when we summitted and started down the other side. Unfortunately this exercise was repeated
multiple times. Traveling down one pass I reach speeds of 44 miles an hour
before I started putting on the brakes as I could just see my front wheel
disintegrating and my body being splattered along the roadside.
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| The cows thought we were nuts going over these passes |
It
was a wonderful ride, challenging, and Monte and I were
thrilled by the fact that we made it without blowing out our lungs or knees. We
had a great meal, are totally exhausted, expect rain tonight, but have a tent
site set up in Glacier National Park. We hope the Bears abide by
the rules.
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| We made it to Glacier! |
Note: I have developed a cracked and bent rim on my
bike. Will have to explore my options
tomorrow before trying to tackle Logan Pass (6600’ ft.) on the Going to
the Sun Highway.
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| The mountains! |
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| Bill Yocom & Toffany Johnson |
Father daughter team calibrating the new digital maps for Adventure Cycling. Bill has bicycled around the perimeter United States and has been doing so for a number of years.Thank you for the chocolate and a special thanks for not telling us how many passes lay before us. That was quite a ride from Browning to St. Mary.
