Onwards to Montana!

I headed off around 8 with a potential destination in mind around 45 miles away in Mack Inn. The trail arrived after a few miles of tarmac…..and up we went. For 30 miles!

The first part took me to a great camp area called Warm Rivers which was at the base of the climb, which was on an old rail line so the incline was only 3-4 %. And it was utterly divine. As the trail meandered upwards to my right was the most stunning gorge with a crashing cascading river – picture perfect! I took my time and just loved the trail. This was what I had hoped some of the Divide would be like. On and on it went as the river calmed as I climbed. But the sheer drop off the trail kept my attention on the path ahead as one mistimed move and you’d be over the edge…added something to the ride!

I had been told that the trail turned to sand for a 10 mile stretch and whilst it arrived as informed it wasn’t too stressful.

What was stressful was when the 10 mile of ‘sand’ finished….it really turned to sand! Nothing can describe the pain of riding a loaded bike in sand….it’s exhausting. You’d the chucking out big watts and going absolutely nowhere. There were some extreme expletives expressed as time after time Bob just came to a halt, forcing me to unclip to prevent a fall. I was exasperated to say the least. All my willpower evaporated after miles of this crap! What started out as pure joy turned to an emotional train crash! As well as a physical blow out. My sores were excruciating just to add to the joy of the day 🤣.

Eventually like all things on the trail the pain stopped when the trail turned on to a hell on earth highway – bumper to bumper with RVs and trucks! I didn’t care….it was tarmac. I pulled in to a servo and devoured a coke and sandwich whilst chatting to two lads who were quitting – they were buggered by 9 days of hell on the trail – I could completely empathise!

I decided to push on a few more miles to Mack’s Inn and found a camp ground to crash for the night.

I’ve been chatting to Charlie about our catch up next week….which I can’t wait for! But as I stated to plan my route to Butte it became obvious that there was feck all camping or accommodation for the next 3-4 days ….4th July!!! Dooh! I’ve resigned myself to wild camping to avoid the madding crowd, and to take the road. The trail does go to Butte but I cannot face another day like today, and neither can my sores! I’m emotionally and physically drained and I know if I push too hard it’ll not end well! My priority has now shifted to a) getting through the madness of July 4th and b) meeting up with Charlie somewhere in mid Montana to spend time with her, jump forward a bit and then push through the final leg to Canada and ultimately Banff. Yep, I’ll miss some of the Divide but to be honest…..that’s ok! Cycling across the US can be done a number of ways! I’m looking forward to the challenge of the Divide again for the last two weeks but for now I need to stop hating it and get myself emotionally and physically fit enough for that final push. 😊

Turn the volume up to hear the crashing water – fabulous