2500 miles

 Thursday, June 26 (Day 41)

Distance: 70 miles

Average speed: 11.1 mph

Max: 37.2 mph

Total: 2528 miles

Weather: mostly cloudy, slight tailwind, afternoon thunderstorm

I began the day with breakfast with June, DeWayne, and Cloey in Cloey's mobile home. Cloey is 91 years old and spunky as can be. She lives by herself except when her children go to visit, which is frequently. I left with lots of phone numbers, addresses, and hugs.

I barely slept, if at all, the night before, kept awake by thunderstorms and imagining every small sound to be Jim, on his way back with more forceful requests...

My state of exhaustion had me longing to stop by the side of the road to sleep, but I pressed on! It was nothing but hills-- the bottom of one hill brought the beginning of the next with no breaks, so I was always going 7 mph or 30 mph.

Unfortunately, the road had little to no shoulder and a very high speed limit. Coupled with the limited sight from hills, I had a few close calls when cars were in both lanes.

I spent the day wondering if I wanted to just skip Montana and come back when I can convince someone to go with me, but at the end of that day decided that two unfortunate encounters wasn't worth calling the whole thing off. The rest of it has been so great this far!

I was met by a thunderstorm in the afternoon and pulled into town ready for a second night in a motel... But both were full. Ah, well. The campground had a wonderful shower!

Friday, June 27 (Day 42)

Distance: 79 miles

Average speed: 9.5 mph

Max: 25.5

Total: 2607 miles

Weather: 10-20 mph headwind, mostly cloudy 

Today's ride was beautiful, and I often forgot to take pictures because I was mesmerized by the sights. I was also very worried about safety, again given the high speed limit, steep hills, and lack of shoulder.

I went higher in elevation and started to see trees! It was very exciting.

And then I went back down into the lands of no trees. I got another flat, my fourth in three days, and I'm out of spare tubes now! That's what I get for taking a road bike on tour.

The teeny tiny town I'm in has a nice sense of humor!

I was very happy to find another touring cyclist at the city park, also camping. His name is Tim, and he started from the coast of Oregon four weeks ago! He is recently retired, and he's on his way to Virginia. It was very nice chatting with him about what's to come for both of us, as we both hold insights for the other.

I'm really looking forward to tomorrow because my dad is driving up to see me from New Mexico and he'll reach me in the afternoon!