Glacier National Park to Whitefish, Montana

The hiatus from bicycling and time spent in the grandeur of Glacier National Park was a welcome relief. Dealing with a broken bicycle was not nearly as much fun. Thanks to Russell Bicycles I received my bicycle wheel on time (actually early), was able to install it and get going earlier than expected.  Running out late in the day, I was told that I would have to take the shuttle to Logan Pass due to road construction.  After going over four passes the day prior, this didn't bother me a bit. Going down the western slope of Logan Pass presented 20 miles of ecstasy, unimaginable vistas, and a glimpse into God's creations at its grandest. The journey down approached that of a spiritual experience as I soared from the mountain peaks astride my bicycle, gliding through the turns, until I reached the valley below. I can say sincerely, I have never had a ride as exhilarating.

Logan Pass

Famous Red Bus

 The road has its obstacles

Construction Traffic

My Savior...my driver...saved me from this mess!!

 

Dave Ahlansberg and  Rob Kerr

 Dave served with the 173rd in Vietnam...and is doing the Continantal Divide from Eureka to Steamboat Springs...go Dave.
Rob is cycling from Banff to Whitefish...at 68 years of age.

Pedaling Pete

St. Mary, MT, layover

Laying in my hammock in Glacier waiting for my wheel

My wheel came in about 2:00 PM this afternoon. Renée Peterson, bless her soul, actually delivered it to my campsite. Installation went along pretty well and it seems to be working perfectly. After a bite to eat, I will see if I can start my grind over the pass. Do not want to get caught on the top, so I will have to plan accordingly. When storms blow in, which they often do, lightning can be a hazard.  I will see how things go after getting a bite to eat.

July 15 - St. Mary, MT

I bid farewell to Monte Cherry as he went on his way. Due to a cracked back rim I had to delay my departure and stay in Glacier National Park. If I'm to be stranded anywhere you cannot beat this place!  I should have another back wheel sometime late tomorrow and should be able to resume my trip the day after.  I had a restful day, beautiful scenery, a good book to read, and interesting people to converse with.

Renee Peterson is my new best friend as she is my contact to get the new bicycle wheel to me.  Thank you, Renée, and you work in a beautiful area!,  Renée is from the Blackfeet Nation and grew up in Browning, Montana. So once again the Blackfeet Nation reaching out a hand to help.

My thanks to Renée for her assistance in securing a receiving address to which my bicycle wheel could be sent. Also a special thanks to Russell's Bike and Fitness Center in Washington, Illinois, for expediting the shipment of a suitable bicycle wheel to the wilds of Montana. I look forward to receiving it so that I can resume my trip.
I am camping, snug as a bug, and enjoying the company of others who are as captivated as I with the beautiful grandeur of Glacier National Park.

Kevin Forrest

 In the US Marines from 67 to 1970...2nd Bn, 1 Marines, Vietnam 1968 to 1969

Breanna and Djem

Breanna and Djem are from Northfield, Minnesota, and Madison, Wisconsin. Having a great time in Glacier. My neighbors at St. Mary's campground.

Browning to St. Mary, Montana

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.

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.

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. 

The mountains!

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.

Browning, MT

Army Veteran... Piganii Blackfeet
Browning, Montana
James - thank you for the gift.  I will carry it with honor across the country.

belt buckle

Gift from James L Bird

Shelby to Browning, Montana

My traveling companion over the Rocky Mountains.

After being ill, the ride from Shelby to Browning was a difficult one that covered 55 miles. Monte and I just broke the ride up into pieces and made it in fairly good time and had a magnificent view of the Rockies the entire way.
Browning is the home of the Blackfeet Nation and Gateway to Glacier National Park. At the time of our arrival the Blackfeet Nation's yearly powwow was underway so it's population of 1000 had expanded to approximately 10 times that number. It was an incredible sight to see all the Tepees and Blackfeet regalia.  The constant drumbeat, dancing, chanting of the tribal people who were gathered in Browning was our constant companion. It was a sight to behold and a new experience for me. We made two new friends, both Vietnam Veterans, who pointed out that as a veteran I was welcome to join the "Veterans Dance." For obvious reasons I declined.

Gilbert (Two Stone) Bearwalker & Rance Risingwolf

We met Gilbert Two Stone Bearwalker and Rance Risingwolf at the Browning Blackfeet Powwow and chatted for close to an hour.  After his military service Gilbert (US Navy 66-70 Vietnam 68-70) went into Police work and now resides in Oregon.  Rance (Marines 65-67 Vietnam 65-67) became a devout Christian, raised his children and carried on with his life as his faith dictated.

The Blackfeet Nation, consisting of three groups, had a reputation as being unrelentingly savage towards their enemies and extremely loyal to their friends. Their ancestral homelands extend from north of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, south into Montana. For the entire ride today we were on the Blackfeet Reservation. As a point of interest, the Lewis and Clark Expedition's one deadly altercation was with the Blackfeet.

As I lay in my tent beneath shimmering poplars listening to the drumbeat and the chanting of the dancers I am carried to another era...this is the sound that will guide me into my slumber.  Every day is an adventure...new and replenishing...I lie here content.

Len Vanasse

Biology school teacher traveling across United States from Washington to Maine...70 years young.

Posting comments

Several folks have commented that they are having trouble with posting comments on the blog.  I definitely want to hear from you as your comments keep my spirits up on hot, windy, long bicycle rides.  The work around that we have devised (we think it is because some submitters don't have active Google accounts) is to send your comments to the email:  sspeer2@comcast.net  and Andrea will post them.