Month: June 2011

Tioga ND to Berthold ND Tioga ND looked a little better in the morning.  Still, it was one of the few city parks we’ve stayed in where I was a bit concerned that my bike would still be there in the morning, and was glad to see it.  Bill said he’d even seen a brothel business being operated out of a pick-up truck last night, servicing the RV clients next to the park.  Can you imagine? Jack and I left last from the park, then hit up the town for breakfast.   I noticed that practically every vehicle parked in town

Culbertson MT to Tioga ND Early start (for us) from Culbertson MT at 7AM.  Roger and Bill took off even earlier.  We said a tentative goodbye to L. E. because he did not immediately favor the idea of going all the way to Tioga. We got a 15 mile headstart on the day, pulling in to Bainville MT for breakfast with Gary. Pancakes were good – I gave them a 7 on the Kimmie scale.   We quipped to a curious patron that today was a 90-90-90-90 day for us:  a 90 mile plan in 90°F at 90% relative humidity with

Culbertson MT Excellent rest day here in Culbertson MT, after 21 straight days of riding.   It felt really good to lay in the sleeping bag this morning extra long, with the knowledge that I didn’t have to tear down my tent today. Not much to post.  Breakfast at the Wild West Café, then some work on the bike (tire rotation, chain lube, clean-up).  Shower at the community pool (where I managed to freak out only one kid, who will probably need therapy after seeing my statuesque form), an hour at the library trying to coax Jack out for a milkshake

Wolf Point MT to Culbertson MT The days are running together.  If not for this blog serving as a diary, I would never be able to piece together the towns and long days through the high plains of Montana.  I have really loved this state, but since leaving East Glacier the days are steady miles of flat and rolling planes punctuated by interesting small towns. Jack and I found the Our Town Grill in Wolf Point MT for breakfast and enjoyed the local flavor of the place, decorated with reminders that we were on the reservation. Off down the road,

Glasgow MT to Wolf Point MT This morning in Glasgow MT was one of those mornings when nothing seemed to fit.  Every morning, the hardest job I have to do is fitting my sleeping bag into its stuff sack.  In order to make it work, I have to get angry with it, and I’m just never in the mood to do that.  And then my tent wouldn’t go into the pannier.  Jack sat waiting patiently, fully packed, while I struggled. Of course, every morning, L.E. is actually the last one out of camp, which is actually admirable.  In my mind,

Malta MT to Glasgow MT Rain again last night in Malta, MT.  Somehow it is always quite pleasant when you’re tucked inside your dry tent. Immediately out of the campsite Jack stood up on the pedals to an explosive pop.  His chain had broken, a belated consequence of the spill yesterday.  He removed 2 more links (for a total of six) and had it back running smoothly in short order, albeit with black hands.  With the shortened chain, Jack said it was a good thing he almost never uses his large chainring. Jack and I had a pancake breakfast in

Harlem MT to Malta MT The Harlem MT park was great for a good night’s sleep and the rains did not persist.  It got sort of cold, though, and I started the evening on top of the bag and ended up inside. Jack and I were the last ones out of camp – how about that – packed up slowly and then hit Deb’s Diner for breakfast.  Jesse and Gary were already there.  A decent dietary start today, with pancakes, eggs, and ham. Out onto US2, and today the winds were in our favor.  I suppose they helped us make

Havre MT to Harlem MT Nice luxurious sleep in Havre MT last night.  A motel room every once in a while does a part-time hobo good. Continental breakfast in the lobby, then a spin over to the Havre Bicycle shop.  There, we met L.E. seeking out tire tubes.  The OPEN sign was lit but the door locked, with a cell number taped to the window.  L.E. called it and the owner said he was due in traffic court but would slip by beforehand.  He quickly showed up, L.E. got his tubes, and I picked up a bottle of chain lube

Chester MT to Havre MT Here in Chester, MT the five rose early and left the park, almost before the two could open their eyes.  Still, Jack and I were motivated to pack up prior to a 9:00AM sprinkling from the park watering system. We returned to Spud’s Café to find the same server, Kimmie, taking orders.  She alone was running the entire place and in stellar fashion, cooking and serving orders quickly and never letting anyone’s coffee get low.   I got one of the biggest and BEST pancakes on the tour so far, light and cakey and huge.  And

Shelby MT to Chester MT This is our 22nd day on tour, and so marks the beginning of our fourth week.  The weather today was beautiful for our relatively short ride from Shelby MT to Chester MT. Jack and I rose late as usual, then made our way to a pancake breakfast with Jesse at the Town Pump restaurant, a place set up for the Interstate 15 traffic. I rode almost the entire day with the touring cyclist we’d met last night named L.E.  I learned that he’d lived in many places, grew up in Miami, spent the last few