RA21: New Phase
You’re out of the woods…
Step into the sun
Step into the light
From The Wizard of Oz
I slept great in our house in East Glacier MT. The bed was one of those “grandma’s feather bed” types, plump with big pillows.
Breakfast pancakes and eggs, then a slow preparation for riding. Somewhere around 10AM we finally pulled out and started east on US2. As we pedaled I looked behind us and began realizing that we were saying a long goodbye to the mountains and to the snow. And hopefully to the rain for a while.
The westerly tailwinds were killer, like a hand pushing you in the back. Add in a gradual drop of a thousand feet and you’ve got one wild ride on your hands. Our resident thoroughbreds Bill and Frank hit over 45 miles an hour in this stretch.
While we cruised east, a convoy of antique cars proceeded in the opposite direction. It was pretty neat to see them coming because almost every one of the drivers gave a friendly wave to us cyclists.
The six of us all made Cut Bank before 1:30PM, covering 50 miles. Jack and I found the gang at a McDonalds being interviewed by some ladyfans, and we all reveled in the great tailwinds. The consensus was to eat lunch and then continue eastward.
Jack and I then toured through the town looking for some local eats and finally found the C&L Country Café on Central Avenue. This was one of those really excellent finds, a diamond in the rough. Off the main road and down by the tracks, all the clientele were locals, and when we got to talking with them it seemed they all knew each other and many were related in some fashion. Farmers talking farming. They asked lots of questions about our trip and we ended up talking quite a bit with an older gentleman who had all sorts of stories and history pouring forth out of his brain to willing listeners. The food was good, but meeting these friendly folks was even better. I really like to go to this kind of place.
Another wind assisted 25 miles into the town of Shelby, MT. This was easily the easiest 75 miles I’ve ever done in a day. We didn’t tour through Shelby much, but rather went straight to a campsite north of town, set up, and spent the afternoon looking at maps and talking at the picnic tables. Jack and I decided we weren’t really all that hungry for dinner, and so nibbled on peanuts and cashews.
We all met or remet 2 other touring cyclists using the campground. One, a fellow named L. E., was a guy we’d met on the road several times in the mountains, touring from Seattle to parts unknown east, maybe New York. He is a freelance photographer and showed me some excellent work on his online at http://lefteyeimages.photoshelter.com/
Mosquitoes at our campsite went from prevalent to downright thick, and forced everyone to an early retreat behind netting.
75 miles today, currently in Shelby, MT. Knee status: 30% better and improving. This is a very happy trend. Some of the other riders are now feeling some knee twinges, which I attribute to the tailwinds. It is easy to overpush with a tailwind, trying to take advantage of it. Hopefully none will be as bad as mine were last week.
Sounds like an absolutely fantastic day – the kind you probably hoped for before you began this journey. C&L Cafe is certainly a find and totally deserving of a blog post. The mosquitos – not so much.
Just another thought on the knee condition. Could be patellafemoral stress syndrome. This develpes if opposite muscle groups are not in balance ….of equal strength. eg quads vs hamstrings; IT band vs adductors (inner thigh muscles); or the VMO (small muscle directly over the inside of the knee) is either weaker or stronger and is not doing it’s job to balance the work of the other muscle groups.
Anyway, hope it all gets better.
Humm, guess my other comment didn’t go through.
Well in all my sports medicine days I’ve never done a treatment or DX on a roadside… maybe at a rest stop substuting a picinc table for a treatment table, but never on the side of the road. I was rolling with laughter~:-)
Sounds like an overuse injury. Some easy pedaling day and meds throughout the day and at night will help minimize the inflammation.
Some really beautiful scenery, cordial aquaintences and good eats along the way.
Here’s wishing you sunny skies and tailwinds for many miles.
Miss you guys.
Jules
Thanks for the comments Jules. Glad you can take a look at our progress. The trip has just been fantastic so far, with so much more to come. We have a very long phase through the plains the next few weeks, and I’m looking forward to it. We are all missing Saturday cycling, but this is surely a great alternative to it. Say hi to everyone for me (and tell them to visit the blog!)
Linda, you know I really appreciate the comments – thanks for staying current. This has been a real blast so far but I sure am missing you babe.
Comments from Dr. friends, etc. How convenient. One of your cycling friends from home? Glad the knee is getting better.
I’m now up to date on your reports. So proud of you, honey. Glad to hear the first 1/3 of your trip is over with the rain, snow. Hopefully, real nice weather for a while.
Your stops at the local cafes etc, sound great. Local folklore is so neat to listen to, isn’t it? Lovies.
Rich,
I am not sure if you remember me but we met in Williston, ND last year in a bike shop. I was doing my x-country ride.
I just found your website and have enjoyed reading it. I will be following your ride. Thanks for posting and be safe and take care of that knee.
Tom
Jules will be happy to know that she is now a doctor. [She is actually an experienced physical trainer and yes, a cycling friend.] By the way, I will have no trouble taking my Motrin with food – I am eating all the time!
Hi Tom. Sure I remember meeting you and riding together for a couple of days! I followed your blog last year along with Randy’s. Thanks for taking a look here. As you well know, this sure is an adventure.