NR15: ACA Headquarters, Missoula MT

I slowly wake this morning, fully up around 6:30AM. It’s just too nice laying there in my tent. Salmon Lake S.P. is one great stopover for cylists – don’t miss it.

We make our way south 7 miles to the nearest restaurant. Cold this morning, but not as bad as the previous 2 days. Still, the heavy gloves stay on for most of the spin.

Unfortunately, the Stoney’s Lounge restaurant does not open until noon, so we must resort to the adjacent c-store for coffee and stale nibbles. We’ve run into a fair number of closed businessses this tour so this all feels about right.

Proceeding west on MT200, a steady headwind challenges us. The tour is not going to end so easily. MT200 follows the Blackfoot River and winds around a lot. At times it’s quite a battle into the winds with legs that are weary.

Thirteen miles outside Missoula I send a text to Linda, but have no bars. As we reach the I-90 corrider the text goes out, and I learn she’s a hundred miles away. No problem, we will work it all out.

Jack and Phil and I enter Missoula, trundle a few city blocks, and soon find the American Cycling Association headquarters. This is it, this is the end point of the tour. Jack and I have lovingly used ACA maps for years (including this tour) and thought this a fitting place to wind things up.

Although we don’t spend much time, it’s long enough to be photographed for the ACA touring cyclists wall by a very friendly ACA staffer. Afterwards, the three of us end up at The Old Post for delicous craft brews and lunch.

The end of another tour!

Today’s Ride: 46.5 miles
Today’s Climbing: 935 feet
More Stats: http://cyclemeter.com/51ced2364be66c17/Cycle-20170817-0721
Tour Total:  802.3 miles