0 miles from Seaside to Seaside
Hind sight is 20-20. Looking back I'm not sure there is too much I would do differently on this trip. 20 short miles remain between me and the end of this cross country journey by bike. It's early monday morning and my bags are packed, my bike is clean and my plane ticket is waiting.
We took a day off yesterday to enjoy the ocean, prepare for our flights home and kick back a little bit. We took a car trip to Washington State, where we may or mat not have gotten stuck in the sand. Though Neils little suzuki is all wheel drive its ground clearence is not all that. We got pulled out by a big chevy truck, silly silly me.
Yesterday eveneing was spend visiting with Niel and Marcello, we walked downtown for dinner. We sat around and shared tales and we laughed till my belly hurt. Marcello is a journalist form Italy, who is couchsurfing while writing a few peices about western culture (mainly music). We then had a nice fire on the beach, took a dip in the Pacific and had a few drinks before calling it a night.
I am rested and ready to ride. Let's go live!
Thomas H
Monday, July 23, 2012
Saturday, July 21, 2012
69- Beach bum in training
50 miles from Tillamook to Seaside
Pacific, pacific. Climb descend, stop to look at the ocean, climb, descend, repeat until you reach sea side. i love the ocean. Who knew?
Abi and I have been talking about Sea Side for the past week. We met a lady at a campground a while back who has a beach house in Sea Side. She invited us to stay when we passed through.
Well we got there to find the drive way empty and the blinds shut. Luckily Abi founds a warm showers host in Sea Side who very kindly took us in on very short notice.
Neil (our host) is rad, our clothes are in the drier and I am a very happy Thomas. 20 short miles to go.
Thomas
Pacific, pacific. Climb descend, stop to look at the ocean, climb, descend, repeat until you reach sea side. i love the ocean. Who knew?
Abi and I have been talking about Sea Side for the past week. We met a lady at a campground a while back who has a beach house in Sea Side. She invited us to stay when we passed through.
Well we got there to find the drive way empty and the blinds shut. Luckily Abi founds a warm showers host in Sea Side who very kindly took us in on very short notice.
Neil (our host) is rad, our clothes are in the drier and I am a very happy Thomas. 20 short miles to go.
Thomas
68- Hello?
71.232323232 miles from Grand Ronde to Tillamook
The camp ground in Grand Ronde was a interesting experience to say the least. Just as I was getting nice and settled in, juuuust about asleep, in rolls not one but two rv's full of loud. Who shows up to a campground at 10:30? They Loud's set up camp, cooked out, yelled screamed laughed and hollered into the wee hours of the morning. I eventually got to sleep despite the racket.
I woke up to peace and quiet. A Nice calm cool Oregon morning. I went to check my phone that I left charging in the rest room. Door open, light on, no phone to be seen. Bummer squared.
After asking my noisy neighbors, talking to the park managers and checking the bathroom about 15 times I pedaled west free of the technology that most of us are so dependent on. Luckily for me I have taken the majority of my photos on a acctual camera and not my phone.
Phone you were a good one, i hope your new thieving owner treats you well.
Pacific!!!
Oh my beautiful ocean!! Abi and I stopped the at the first beach sign we saw and slowly walked through the sand to the big blue. It was a amazing to stand looking at the ocean that we just rode across the US to get to. That being said, we still had 50 more miles to ride that day. It was all I could do to get back on my bike. But after all winners never quit and such. So we rode on.
We reluctantly camped at the RV ground in Tillamook, this one was much quieter and i had no phone to get stolen. So two thumbs uP :)
A very phone free,
Thoma
The camp ground in Grand Ronde was a interesting experience to say the least. Just as I was getting nice and settled in, juuuust about asleep, in rolls not one but two rv's full of loud. Who shows up to a campground at 10:30? They Loud's set up camp, cooked out, yelled screamed laughed and hollered into the wee hours of the morning. I eventually got to sleep despite the racket.
I woke up to peace and quiet. A Nice calm cool Oregon morning. I went to check my phone that I left charging in the rest room. Door open, light on, no phone to be seen. Bummer squared.
After asking my noisy neighbors, talking to the park managers and checking the bathroom about 15 times I pedaled west free of the technology that most of us are so dependent on. Luckily for me I have taken the majority of my photos on a acctual camera and not my phone.
Phone you were a good one, i hope your new thieving owner treats you well.
Pacific!!!
Oh my beautiful ocean!! Abi and I stopped the at the first beach sign we saw and slowly walked through the sand to the big blue. It was a amazing to stand looking at the ocean that we just rode across the US to get to. That being said, we still had 50 more miles to ride that day. It was all I could do to get back on my bike. But after all winners never quit and such. So we rode on.
We reluctantly camped at the RV ground in Tillamook, this one was much quieter and i had no phone to get stolen. So two thumbs uP :)
A very phone free,
Thoma
Thursday, July 19, 2012
67- Does this hat make by butt look fat?
82 miles from Coburg to Grand Ronde
Remember how I said Oregon is the Virginia of the west? Well todays ride proved that statement true yet again. I was having a hard time comprehending I wasn't out on a ride back home.
That being said, of course it is beautiful... it looks like VA!! The mountains have a nice blue color again. The freshly mown fields rolled out of sight and the smell of hay took me right back to Hedge Lane.
We are on the last map, with only a 150 miles till the end. Wow.
Abi picked me up a straw hat at the truck stop in Coburg this morning. It is truely a wonderful hat. Thanks Abi!
Im having a blast. There is a certain energy that I haven't felt since the first week. Pretty cool feeling.
Also we have started getting props for riding across the country. I was told by couple from Tenessee that I should be very proud of my accomplishment. And we even got our first high five from a fellow cylist. You have no idea how glorious that high five felt.
Thom
66- Cascade Classic
83 miles from McKenzie Pass to Coburg
We have the best timing ever. We just so happened to be going down the pass when..wait for it.. the Cascade Cycling Classic was racing up it. We got a great perspective on just how slow we are. We also realized it is very tough to come up with things to yell at the racers who are not the leaders... Go faster!! Uhh no thats not it. Great job!!! They know its not true.. Uhhh Keep it up?? nope.
Also people make nasty noises while riding. If there is only two riders its not too bad. A pack of 70 riders sounds like.. Well its not a pretty sound. Lots of snorting and hacking. Eww
The rest of the ride was very pleasant. We met a few friendly east bounders and had nice chats with them.
Oregon is def the Virginia of the west. I don't dislike it.
Tho
65- Sisters
65 miles from ochoco park to McKenzie Pass (Lava Creek campground)
Twas a beautiful climb up to the pass. The campground we stayed at was at the trail head to the PCT. As some of you may know, Dan P. is thu hiking the pct. We only missed seeing each other by a few days.
I wrote dan a message beside the trail with broken limbs, we shall see if he notices it.
The campground was beautiful, right beside a lake... Mosquitos liked the location too. I have over 25 fresh bites... All on the back of my knees. I must have sweated off the bug spray on my little hike. Itchy itchy
Th
Monday, July 16, 2012
64- I was thinking...
81 miles- Dayville to Ockicho Park
Today was a quiet day for me. With the trip drawing to a end I find myself thinking about home and the things im looking forward to.
The list goes as follows-
Seeing my family
My pup
My friends
Work
Mountain biking
The river
Applying the things I have learned to the "real world"
Though with these thoughts comes the list of things I am going to miss.
New adventures everyday.
Meeting new people
Being rediculous with Abi on the daily
Having new things to take pictures of,
And just about everything about bike touring.
Oregon is beautiful, the road was oh so smooth today, and we had a nice rain shower on the climb.
T.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
63- Chiiiiiillll
45 miles- Prairie city to Dayville
Twas a calm and chilly morning in Prairie City. We got on the road fairly early to catch church in John Day. We caught it and met a few nice folks, all of whom were very happy we stopped in. We were the youngest people there by 30 years.
We hung out in John Day for a hour or so and people watched as I enjoyed a cold coke. We rode 8 more miles to Mount Vernon and had lunch. We sat there and relaxed for a while (were I drank more coke). Chill chill.
Long story short, we rode very little and relaxed alot.
We are staying at the church here in Dayville. They have been hosting cyclists here since 1976. The wireless internet, washer, dryer, stove, fridge and microwave were all payed for from donations from cyclists. Very cool.
I like these short days.
Sun shine and smiles from Oregon
T.
Twas a calm and chilly morning in Prairie City. We got on the road fairly early to catch church in John Day. We caught it and met a few nice folks, all of whom were very happy we stopped in. We were the youngest people there by 30 years.
We hung out in John Day for a hour or so and people watched as I enjoyed a cold coke. We rode 8 more miles to Mount Vernon and had lunch. We sat there and relaxed for a while (were I drank more coke). Chill chill.
Long story short, we rode very little and relaxed alot.
We are staying at the church here in Dayville. They have been hosting cyclists here since 1976. The wireless internet, washer, dryer, stove, fridge and microwave were all payed for from donations from cyclists. Very cool.
I like these short days.
Sun shine and smiles from Oregon
T.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
62- Rain rain
69 miles- Baker City to Prairie City
We were rained on for the 6th time today. Not too bad if do say so my self, which I did just say, so... not too bad.
It was a pleasant rain, the kind that is more amusing and refreshing than bothersome.
Overall it was a chill day, we stopped on the road side and had a hour lunch break. We had three nice climbs. I took them nice and slow, to take in all the beautiful scenery.
I'm in Oregon... I still can't believe it.
T.
We were rained on for the 6th time today. Not too bad if do say so my self, which I did just say, so... not too bad.
It was a pleasant rain, the kind that is more amusing and refreshing than bothersome.
Overall it was a chill day, we stopped on the road side and had a hour lunch break. We had three nice climbs. I took them nice and slow, to take in all the beautiful scenery.
I'm in Oregon... I still can't believe it.
T.
Friday, July 13, 2012
61- Oregon-mi
81 miles- Campground on the snake river to Baker City
We rose with the sun and rode like the wind... untill Abi flatted. Then we fixed tires like the wind. Well okay thats nothing like the wind.
There is a old saying in cycling that goes something like, "For every flat there is a reason, a reason far more meaningful than a puncture or pinch" (thats not a real saying (but it is now (feel free to use it))).
Well, as we were putting the wheel back on the USS Adventure a cyclist stopped to check on us. Harmony was riding from San Fran to Missoula annd her rear tire was threadbare. So Abi passed on her tire she had just removed. I think Abi saved her some headache. Good work team!
We ended up crushing out the 80 miles to Baker like it was no biggie. I arrived barely showing signs of riding. Abi never broke a sweat. Lies all lies. It was freaking hot! Just as I realized my blood was on the verge of boiling the rain came. I rode the last five miles in a decent little down pour as Abi waited for me under a tree.
We are in Oregon, yes the final state of this here cross country bike trip. Crazy you say? I agree! It seems like just yesterday I was riding the Colonial Parkway with a belly full of Grande breakfast. We are less than two weeks away from the end.
In other less bittersweet news, (this,news is just sweet) we are staying at a wonderful warm showers host in Baker City. We have a load of laundry in the dryer, a belly full of pasta and ice cream, and nice beds to rest our little heads.
Life is good, Oregon has made a wonderful first impression annnd imma bout to fall asleep.
Your friend, cousin, brother, son, grandson, random acquaintance, friend of a friend, or however you know me.
T.H.
Ps our host raises guide puppies for blind folk. Yeah its pretty dang cool, I know.
We rose with the sun and rode like the wind... untill Abi flatted. Then we fixed tires like the wind. Well okay thats nothing like the wind.
There is a old saying in cycling that goes something like, "For every flat there is a reason, a reason far more meaningful than a puncture or pinch" (thats not a real saying (but it is now (feel free to use it))).
Well, as we were putting the wheel back on the USS Adventure a cyclist stopped to check on us. Harmony was riding from San Fran to Missoula annd her rear tire was threadbare. So Abi passed on her tire she had just removed. I think Abi saved her some headache. Good work team!
We ended up crushing out the 80 miles to Baker like it was no biggie. I arrived barely showing signs of riding. Abi never broke a sweat. Lies all lies. It was freaking hot! Just as I realized my blood was on the verge of boiling the rain came. I rode the last five miles in a decent little down pour as Abi waited for me under a tree.
We are in Oregon, yes the final state of this here cross country bike trip. Crazy you say? I agree! It seems like just yesterday I was riding the Colonial Parkway with a belly full of Grande breakfast. We are less than two weeks away from the end.
In other less bittersweet news, (this,news is just sweet) we are staying at a wonderful warm showers host in Baker City. We have a load of laundry in the dryer, a belly full of pasta and ice cream, and nice beds to rest our little heads.
Life is good, Oregon has made a wonderful first impression annnd imma bout to fall asleep.
Your friend, cousin, brother, son, grandson, random acquaintance, friend of a friend, or however you know me.
T.H.
Ps our host raises guide puppies for blind folk. Yeah its pretty dang cool, I know.
60- Snake river
75 miles- New Meadows to a camp ground on the Oregon State Line.
Roughest bike path ever, hot hot heat, and a sweeet downhill that nearly melted my face off.
t
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
59- New Meadows
60 miles- White Bird to New Meadows
Solid day of riding and reflecting. I wish all of you could experience this adventure with me, If only for one day. I can tell you day after day about how beautiful, amazing, or awesome the experience is, but none of it translates. The photos don't even come close to capturing what inspired me to take it.
This is so much more than a big bike ride. While it is pretty physical to ride 65 miles day after day, the journey is far more mental even spiritual..
After 50 some odd days of the ritual of camping, packing and riding you can really find a rhythm. That rhythm allows you to spend your time on the bike thinking about what is to come, what has passed or just take in what you are going through. I am not sure I even think about the fact that I am on a bike most of the time.
So while I wish I could tell you about how great todays ride was I can't.
I can tell you however, how great it is to reflect back on the past year of my life. Alot has changed and I feel I have learned alot, matured just enough and gained a appreciation for the things in life that matter. Family, friends, new experiences and old memories are just a few.
t.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
58- Weeeeeeeeeeee!
62- Syringa to White Bird
Climbing makes me happy. I spent most all day happily spinning up up up. What never occured to me is the downhill that was to follow the beautiful climb.
It was a great suprise. 2,600 feet lost, 15 switchbacks and 0 cars. The switchbacks were even banked, so you could really hit them. I may or may not have made motorcycle noises through a few of them.
We planned on camping at the City Park buutt it was a bit sketchy so we rolled on a bit further to a rv park. Camping by the river for the third night in a row.
Couldn't be much happier.
T.
57- Rollin on the river
73 miles-Powell to Syringa
Oh my beautiful riding. Idaho ranks number one thus far.
We rode beside the river alll day. We were treated with cool breezes at every mountain stream as they crossed under the road and into the river.
We stopped for a dip in the river at White Pine and ended up using my inflatible matress as a raft. We each made a few runs, each time going a little further up as to not be outdone. Abi made a very impressive run down some rapids that I was too chicken to try.
We camped at a cafe that also led rafting trips. We hung out with the river guides and relaxed as the sunset.
I love Idaho, seriously this place rocks.
T.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
56- Idaho!
60 miles from Missoula to Powell
Todays ride was the bomb. We had a wonderful tail wind that pushed us up Lolo pass. The downhill was so fun, we coasted right to the campground. Camping tonight by the Lolo River. We took a dip as soon as we got there, it was very cold but felt burrfect after a hot day on the bike.
We made the walk to the lodge up the road for dinner and wifi. Ommnom and hello!
Big thanks to John for chasing me down this morning to give me my phone charger and to Sandy who packed pb&js for lunch. Yall rock.
Idaho is beautiful! Annd our servers name was Jethro. Good start ID.
T
Saturday, July 7, 2012
54/55- A party just for us!
46 miles & 0 miles
The Adventure Cycling Association caught wind of team turtles arrival in Missoula and threw us a huge party! Well kinda, okay not really ...but we did luck up and hit Missoula the day of the ACA's grand opening party. There was a bluegrass band, beer and free ice cream....heaven!!!!!
Abi and I toured the facility and got our 15 seconds of fame when the tour guide gave us a shout out. That shout out is how we found our host/home for the weekend. More on that to come.
We had started earlier that day in Hamilton and rode 30 miles of wonderful bike paths to Lolo. During the first few miles of the day I took a sprinkler directly to the face. Someone should tell the buisineses that its not nice to have water spraying in the faces of cyclists.
From Lolo we had to ride the shoulder of 93 to Missoula. Holy hecktic, it really made me appreciate the bike paths we had ridden earlier that day. Once we reached Missoula we found great bike paths, bike lanes, and shared streets.
Back to our accomidations in Missoula. We met a couple in our tour of the ACA hq that was very impressed by our adventure. John and Sandy offered to take us in in return for info and pointers about touring. Next summer John and Terry will be riding the northern tier route on cycles that John builds himself.
They have been wonderful hosts! I was able to use their repair stand to get Jolly back up to speed. (She was looking rough after my tumble) They treated us to wonderful homecooked meals and even shuttled us downtown to meet up with friends.
Today's rest day has been perfect. We rode back to the ACA hq to have our photos taken and have more free ice cream. There we spotted a familiar green steel lugged bike. Miles had arrived minutes before we got there. We had a great time catching up. I hope to ride with him in the days to come, but we all know how that has gone in the past.
On my ride downtown my bike decided it would reveal a new noise. My left pedal was making a awful pop/creak/horribleawfulpleasemakeitstop noise. When I got back to the house I pulled it apart and overhauled it. Silent as a single speed descending now... Ahhhh how nice.
We had yet another delicious meal this evening, prepared by our hosts. This time we had bbq chicken, mashed sweet potatoes, broccoli and pie. mmm mmm good.
Think im over? Nope day just keeps getting better. Abi and I went to a screening of Reveal the Path, a film by the makers of Ride the Divide. It was a beautiful film and I am sure it inspired many people to get started living out their dreams. As for me, it was a great feeling knowing I am living a experience comprable to what was being shown on the screen.
From there we headed to spend the evening hanging out with my friend G-nat and his work amigos. We had a great time swaping summer stories and even started a dance partay at the Flat River Brew House. Too fun.
I'm done now, off to sleep and back on the road in the morning.
Hope everyone had a nice weekend too.
T.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
53- How can I go when the wheels don't roll?
75 miles from Wisdom to Hamilton
Brrrr! A cloudy morning made for a cold first 19 miles. The climb warmed me up though. I opted for the Gibbons Pass alternate. It was a beautiful gravel road that put a big smile on my face. I rolled along beside a creek and got a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains at the top.
I was having a bit too much fun on the descent and got a good taste of Montana ground. My speed was higher than a loaded touring bike likes to travel on a gravel road. The front fender got all wild and shaky, and some how ended up getting sucked up into the wheel, locking my front wheel and pitching me over the bars.
Lesson of the day, save the rough roads for a mountain bike. It was fun, but my arm, shoulder and knee tell me they are not sure it was worth it.
In other news I saved a kitten from the middle of the road today. It was a little Siamese booger that came a few inches away from being squished.
I was sitting there wondering what in the heck I was going to do with a kitten when a lady in a teal ford Taurus stopped. She had seen the little ones brush with death and stopped to make sure it was okay. Thank goodness she took it, I don't think kittens travel well in paniers.
We are camping in a families yard from Virginia! What a small world.
Montana is great, I now hate fenders, and am stoked I can keep on riding after my trip over the bars.
Looooove T.
Brrrr! A cloudy morning made for a cold first 19 miles. The climb warmed me up though. I opted for the Gibbons Pass alternate. It was a beautiful gravel road that put a big smile on my face. I rolled along beside a creek and got a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains at the top.
I was having a bit too much fun on the descent and got a good taste of Montana ground. My speed was higher than a loaded touring bike likes to travel on a gravel road. The front fender got all wild and shaky, and some how ended up getting sucked up into the wheel, locking my front wheel and pitching me over the bars.
Lesson of the day, save the rough roads for a mountain bike. It was fun, but my arm, shoulder and knee tell me they are not sure it was worth it.
In other news I saved a kitten from the middle of the road today. It was a little Siamese booger that came a few inches away from being squished.
I was sitting there wondering what in the heck I was going to do with a kitten when a lady in a teal ford Taurus stopped. She had seen the little ones brush with death and stopped to make sure it was okay. Thank goodness she took it, I don't think kittens travel well in paniers.
We are camping in a families yard from Virginia! What a small world.
Montana is great, I now hate fenders, and am stoked I can keep on riding after my trip over the bars.
Looooove T.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
52-America!
43 miles- Bannack State Park America to Wisdom U.S.A.
Today the sky was blue and the winds calm. A great day to ride across America.
We were treated to a delicious breakfast by the Jackson's and shuttled from the campground back to the route. We climbed another pass, this time with ease, and descended into the Big Hole Valley. Very beautiful.
We stopped in Jackson for lunch. I had a burger and a Bud, a American meal if I have ever had one. Before we got back on the saddle we relaxed a bit in the hot spring fed pool. It felt great.
We crushed the last 18 miles to Wisdom, only to find a swarm of evil blood sucking insects waiting for us. We opted for a break from the bites and checked in at the Nez Perce Motel. Very reasonably priced and quite nice.
We met a very drunk British cyclist by the name of Colin. He and the other gentlemen in the bar had been celebrating a bit too much. One guy there sounded just like John Wayne...if John Wayne was drunk and yelling. Another guy there in his mind fifties, kept calling John "Bro". Strange.
Happy 4th yall!
T.
Today the sky was blue and the winds calm. A great day to ride across America.
We were treated to a delicious breakfast by the Jackson's and shuttled from the campground back to the route. We climbed another pass, this time with ease, and descended into the Big Hole Valley. Very beautiful.
We stopped in Jackson for lunch. I had a burger and a Bud, a American meal if I have ever had one. Before we got back on the saddle we relaxed a bit in the hot spring fed pool. It felt great.
We crushed the last 18 miles to Wisdom, only to find a swarm of evil blood sucking insects waiting for us. We opted for a break from the bites and checked in at the Nez Perce Motel. Very reasonably priced and quite nice.
We met a very drunk British cyclist by the name of Colin. He and the other gentlemen in the bar had been celebrating a bit too much. One guy there sounded just like John Wayne...if John Wayne was drunk and yelling. Another guy there in his mind fifties, kept calling John "Bro". Strange.
Happy 4th yall!
T.
51- Road Agents and Vigilanties
27 miles- Dillon to Bannack State Park
30 mph headwind = longest climb of my life. We stopped about 8 miles in and considered turning around and going back to the koa in Dillon. After much debate we decided little progress was better than no progress, so we pushed on. I eventually did push actually... I stopped put on my crocs and walked my bike because I was fed up with being blown off the road. Silly silly wind.
I tried hitch hiking but no trucks would stop, only response I got was a few waves and one middle finger. Still not sure why, but I guess meanies gonna be mean.
I eventually ran out of water and I stopped sticking my thumb out and started shaking my water bottle. A very nice lady in a white Chevy stopped and i was able to fill my bottles.
Abi and I were both spent by the time we got to the bottom of the first pass, luckily Bannet State Park was 4 miles off route. There we met two of the nicest people yet.
Paul and Jamie Jackson of Texas, are spending their summer volunteering at the park. They host at the campground as well as work the visitor center and do other odd jobs. One of their odd jobs on that breezy Tuesday included restoring team turtles spirits. By the time we reached the campground Abi and I were both exhausted to the verge of tears. I put up my tent, got in and was just about asleep when Paul came over to check on us.
It wasn't long after that when he returned with two plates full of stuffed peppers and mashed potatoes. Delicious! We were also treated to ice cream and invited into their home to relax. They treated us like family!! Thanks so much to the Jacksons for their hospitality and encouragement! You guys have no idea how much it meant.
We checked out the town after we came back to life. Bannack is a period mining town with lots of very interesting history. We learned of gun fights, robbers and corruption. Very thankful the wind pointed us towards Bannack!
I rested well and my spirits were lifted. On to day 52.
30 mph headwind = longest climb of my life. We stopped about 8 miles in and considered turning around and going back to the koa in Dillon. After much debate we decided little progress was better than no progress, so we pushed on. I eventually did push actually... I stopped put on my crocs and walked my bike because I was fed up with being blown off the road. Silly silly wind.
I tried hitch hiking but no trucks would stop, only response I got was a few waves and one middle finger. Still not sure why, but I guess meanies gonna be mean.
I eventually ran out of water and I stopped sticking my thumb out and started shaking my water bottle. A very nice lady in a white Chevy stopped and i was able to fill my bottles.
Abi and I were both spent by the time we got to the bottom of the first pass, luckily Bannet State Park was 4 miles off route. There we met two of the nicest people yet.
Paul and Jamie Jackson of Texas, are spending their summer volunteering at the park. They host at the campground as well as work the visitor center and do other odd jobs. One of their odd jobs on that breezy Tuesday included restoring team turtles spirits. By the time we reached the campground Abi and I were both exhausted to the verge of tears. I put up my tent, got in and was just about asleep when Paul came over to check on us.
It wasn't long after that when he returned with two plates full of stuffed peppers and mashed potatoes. Delicious! We were also treated to ice cream and invited into their home to relax. They treated us like family!! Thanks so much to the Jacksons for their hospitality and encouragement! You guys have no idea how much it meant.
We checked out the town after we came back to life. Bannack is a period mining town with lots of very interesting history. We learned of gun fights, robbers and corruption. Very thankful the wind pointed us towards Bannack!
I rested well and my spirits were lifted. On to day 52.
Monday, July 2, 2012
50- The Principle of Zen Bonk
71- Ennis to Dillon
As I was composing a to-do list for this cross country trip a friend on mine suggested that I add "finding my zen bonk" to the list. He is a very credible source as he has completed the S.M. 100 on a ridged single speed for a number of years and to the best of my knowledge ridden the continental divide route.
Most of you are probably familiar with the concept of Zen, so I won't get into that. But I'm guessing that the term bonking is a head scratcher.
Well bonking is a cyclist term for hitting the wall, or running out of steam. Put the principle of Zen with a good old fashion bonk and you have todays ride.
A zen bonk occurs on a day that is just a bit longer than you want it to be, with temperatures just higher than comfortable, with winds just strong enough to slow you and inclines steep enough to bug you. On a ideal day you will never find your zen bonk, you will be too focused on how much fun you are having or how great your legs feel, it's the days that things just aren't clicking that it will be waiting.
My legs feel sluggish...shut it out. Ignore them. I'm hot...get over it. I wish I could pull over and nap... You will never finish if you quit now... Ahhh Ha! ZEN BONK!
Through all the inconveniences of today's ride I found a appreciation for what it is I am doing, a respect for my surroundings, and motivation to push through. Though I wanted to stop a number of times and call it a day, I pushed through and Montana rewarded me with a beautiful ride.
The sky was just the right shade of blue, the mountains grand enough, and the clouds dense enough to allow me to forget all my worries.
A very very nice end to the day.
T.
As I was composing a to-do list for this cross country trip a friend on mine suggested that I add "finding my zen bonk" to the list. He is a very credible source as he has completed the S.M. 100 on a ridged single speed for a number of years and to the best of my knowledge ridden the continental divide route.
Most of you are probably familiar with the concept of Zen, so I won't get into that. But I'm guessing that the term bonking is a head scratcher.
Well bonking is a cyclist term for hitting the wall, or running out of steam. Put the principle of Zen with a good old fashion bonk and you have todays ride.
A zen bonk occurs on a day that is just a bit longer than you want it to be, with temperatures just higher than comfortable, with winds just strong enough to slow you and inclines steep enough to bug you. On a ideal day you will never find your zen bonk, you will be too focused on how much fun you are having or how great your legs feel, it's the days that things just aren't clicking that it will be waiting.
My legs feel sluggish...shut it out. Ignore them. I'm hot...get over it. I wish I could pull over and nap... You will never finish if you quit now... Ahhh Ha! ZEN BONK!
Through all the inconveniences of today's ride I found a appreciation for what it is I am doing, a respect for my surroundings, and motivation to push through. Though I wanted to stop a number of times and call it a day, I pushed through and Montana rewarded me with a beautiful ride.
The sky was just the right shade of blue, the mountains grand enough, and the clouds dense enough to allow me to forget all my worries.
A very very nice end to the day.
T.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
49- Moving
Montana you are alright by me. What a great day on the bike.
71 sweet sweet miles from West Yellowstone to Ennis.
Abi and I got another late start, as she visited the catholic church in town, and I caught a imax movie about Yellowstone's history. Sorry that I skipped church God, but great job with this part of the world.
We got on the road around 12 and headed West. We rode past beautiful mountains still sporting patches of snow on their peaks. For the first half the day we had a glorious tailwind. whew it was nice... but it seems that with touring the highest of highs are probably going to be followed by a head wind. We earned the remaining miles. We followed a storm into Ennis, arriving there just as it did.
We took a break earlier in the day and visited Quake Lake. The lake was formed in 1959 as a result of a land slide caused by two earthquakes. The valley was full of tourists camping when the mountain came down that august night, killing 28 people and stranding hundreds more. A survivor of the disaster was there visiting the memorial the same time we were. She shared her memories of the event with the crowd of strangers.
"It was like god picked us up and sat us down in another world," she said, talking about seeing the drastic changes to the landscape when the sun rose. She and 27 others took refuge on the side of the mountain, to escape the rising water. They were eventually rescued by a man who heard what happened and used his personal helicopter to evacuate the campers.
Wow!
We are camping tonight at a very nice RV park just outside of town. The sunset was absolutely amazing.
Pumped yet again to see what tomorrow has in store.
T.
71 sweet sweet miles from West Yellowstone to Ennis.
Abi and I got another late start, as she visited the catholic church in town, and I caught a imax movie about Yellowstone's history. Sorry that I skipped church God, but great job with this part of the world.
We got on the road around 12 and headed West. We rode past beautiful mountains still sporting patches of snow on their peaks. For the first half the day we had a glorious tailwind. whew it was nice... but it seems that with touring the highest of highs are probably going to be followed by a head wind. We earned the remaining miles. We followed a storm into Ennis, arriving there just as it did.
We took a break earlier in the day and visited Quake Lake. The lake was formed in 1959 as a result of a land slide caused by two earthquakes. The valley was full of tourists camping when the mountain came down that august night, killing 28 people and stranding hundreds more. A survivor of the disaster was there visiting the memorial the same time we were. She shared her memories of the event with the crowd of strangers.
"It was like god picked us up and sat us down in another world," she said, talking about seeing the drastic changes to the landscape when the sun rose. She and 27 others took refuge on the side of the mountain, to escape the rising water. They were eventually rescued by a man who heard what happened and used his personal helicopter to evacuate the campers.
Wow!
We are camping tonight at a very nice RV park just outside of town. The sunset was absolutely amazing.
Pumped yet again to see what tomorrow has in store.
T.
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