16.06.2012 Ranch along Hwy 287

Day 23: Bozeman, MT to ranch on hwy 287

Saturday June 16, 2012, 81 miles (130 km) - Total so far: 1,387 miles (2,232 km)

Up at the normal time, had breakfast and an appreciative goodbye to my host and was on my way. I stopped by the Co-op on the way out of town and picked up some food. The ride started out nice and continued to be good. In fact the stretch between Bozeman, MT and Norris, MT was the best stretch I have had the whole trip so far. It was warm, but not too warm. The first descent was AMAZING. It then went down into a beautiful canyon. It get tight in sections but I felt safe. A Note though, I was heading west, going east seemed to be tighter than on my side of the road. So I do not know if I would have enjoyed it the same.

Stopped in Norris, MT for lunch, then the climbing began, but the advantage of todays climbs are the payoffs at the ends. As I got into Ennis, MT two other cyclists touring the Trans-Am (Charlie and Patrick) also came rolling in. I joined them for the rest of the day. We bumped into a camera crew claiming to be shooting a documentary for sci-fy about something or other. As we were stopped at a bar a ranch manager came up (Steve) and offered us to stop by and visit his ranch. This bar was the only time I was ever denied a refill of my water bottle but instead offered to sell a bottle of water.

We decided to take him up for the offer, and arrived in good time. The place is really amazing, sitting along the Madison River. After a delicious dinner cooked by Charlie, we sat around the table until after midnight sharing stories. These past couple days have been great.

15.06.2012 Bozeman, MT

Day 22: Livingston, MT to Bozeman, MT

Friday June 15, 2012, 25 miles (40 km) - Total so far: 1,306 miles (2,102 km)

A short day, heading over Bozeman pass into Bozeman, MT. I stopped and talked with a guy who use to tour for awhile before I got to far and then continued on my way. The pass really wasn't bad at all. It did seem to increase in gradient as I got closer to the top after crossing into the next county). The descent really wasn't too fun either. The shoulder could have been wider and less gravel for my taste.

Once I reached Bozeman, MT I stopped into La Tinga for lunch. It is a great authentic Mexican restaurant right on Main Street. I arrived in town super early so to kill time I gave myself a riding tour of town. I visited the University (Montana State University) and hung out in a park playing with a dog.

I met my host for the evening, another fabulous warmshowers experience. Had a great dinner and sat around sharing stories and getting advice for the road ahead. They also gave me a sticker and told me about the Bike Kitchen that they are helping run which helps recycle bikes and get them back into the community.

Good day, moving on ... almost to Idaho!

14.06.2012 Livingston, MT

Day 21: Reed Point, MT to Livingston, MT

Thursday June 14, 2012, 62 miles (100 km) - Total so far: 1,281 miles (2,062 km)

Today started on a nice frontage road and paralleled I-90 most of the day. I stopped in to Big Timber for lunch and then pushed on towards Livingston. I was originally planning on going on to Bozeman today but by the time I reached Livingston I was tired and really didn't want to have to deal with the descent from Bozeman pass at the very end of the day. I shopped around and found a relatively cheaper place to stay and am calling this a day. A real short day to Bozeman tomorrow.

13.06.2012 Reed Point, MT

Day 20: Billings, MT to Reed Point, MT

Wednesday June 13, 2012, 64 miles (103 km) - Total so far: 1,219 miles (1,962 km)

Got an alright start this morning. My host gave me a alternate route to leave Billings than the ACA route, so I opted to follow that route. It was a go route except for the construction which had two sections of gravel riding (again I am loving having these wider tires). Making great time so far as I passed through Laurel, MT and continued on to Columbus. I stopped in Columbus, MT for a late lunch, by this point it is getting very windy and I am going very slow and it took me awhile to arrived in Reed Point, MT. Not only was it windy, but the sky was looking threatening.

There really isn't much to Reed Point. A C Store with limited hours, a post office, a bar and a camp ground (Old West RV Park). I originally stopped to get water and use the rest room and then push on to Big Timber. But I started talking to the new owners of the campground (who just recently purchased it) and decided it would be better to just stay here for the night. They were super nice and it was a great place to stay for the night. I also went down to the Waterhole Saloon and had a couple drinks and learned about the area.

12.06.2012 Billings, MT

Day 19: Hysham, MT to Billings, MT

Tuesday June 12, 2012, 80 miles (129 km) - Total so far: 1,155 miles (1,859 km)

Today was originally suppose to be a short day, but was moving too quickly for that. I made it to Worden, MT shortly after lunch and a boy was there having a lemonade stand and he gave me a free glass of juice. I was talking to a couple people and they said it really wasn't a bad ride between their on Billing. I called my host for tomorrow and he said that it would work better for them if I stayed today instead of tomorrow so it worked out well in that sense too.

So I pushed on to Billings, MT and when I arrived in the city, my host gave me better directions via bike path to get to his place instead of taking the roads. It was a nice bike path which was so much more relaxing than the very busy highway. Another great host, Woody and MJ provided a great stay and were a wealth of information on the history of the area as well as recommending routing and giving me a heads up on what to expect. Woody also helped me with some basic fixes for the bike which have made a good difference.

11.06.2012 Hysham, MT

Day 18: Miles City, MT to Hysham, MT

Monday June 11, 2012, 73 miles (117 km) - Total so far: 1,075 miles (1,730 km)

Up early, another cool, damp start to the day. I guess its good so I can wear my yellow jacket on my first day on interstate 94. The interstate really isn't bad. Traffic is mild and the shoulder is nice and wide. I didn't have to ride on the interstate for long, there are lots of frontage roads that follow the highway which don't really have the nice shoulder but also don't have an traffic.

I stopped in Forsyth for lunch and then continued on to Hysham. I stopped in at the town park which although the restrooms are closed its a decent place to camp. That is if you don't mind sleeping under the pavilion. The grass has sprinklers that rotate through different sections of the grass and are constantly on, so if noise bothers you, it may not be the best place. As for restrooms, the bar is open for at night and the C Store is open early in the morning.

Sat talking with some local kids for awhile before calling it a night.

10.06.2012 Miles City, MT

Day 17: Baker, MT to Miles City, MT

Sunday June 10, 2012, 33 miles (53 km) - Total so far: 1,002 miles (1,613 km)

I made it only 33 miles and it was already after 13:00. I stopped for a break around mile 26 and tried to hitch a ride but with no luck. I rode on stopping when I saw a line of vehicles to try again but nothing, though I did see two zebras in a field which was unexpected. I then got lucky at the 33rd mile mark when while still on my bike I just stuck out my thumb and a truck passed by, then turned around and came back to see if I was just making myself noticed or needed something. I was grateful for the ride, the remaining 50 miles will take me well into the night. Shortly after pulling into town it started raining again. I opted for a cheaper motel and started planning out my route for the next stretch. I am now back on the Lewis and Clark route once again (I had been following the Yellowstone Trail (hwy 12) the past several days). Instead of following sections 3 and 4 I opted for my "shortcut" and am now following section 8 south towards Billings and Bozeman.

Today, even with the ride, I reached 1000 Miles!!!