30 Day Review
Am currently in Dillon Montana, 2028 miles into the trip. Started the day with a climb over a couple of 7000 foot passes, then rode through the Big Hole Valley of Montana and ended the day with a couple of passes before Dillon. Long day, great scenery.
The Big Hole Valley was spectacular. It is a 75 mile long, 35 mile wide valley surrounded on all sides by mountains. It was the "summer home" for the Flathead Indians for generations. The Big Hole National Battlefield is located in the valley. The Battlefield is the location that Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce Indians were attacked by the US Army and shortly thereafter they were forced to give up their journey to evade conflict with the US. Approximately 70 years earlier the Nez Perce had been instrumental in helping Lewis and Clark complete their journey across the Mountains of Idaho and had given them horses and food so they would survive the bitter winter of 1805.
Meet two individual riders from the UK within 30 minutes of each other both doing separate cross country rides.
It is June 30th and the first month of the trip is over. Highlights include:
--2028 miles traveled throughout Idaho, Washington, Oregon and Montana.
--Replaced one tire, one wheel and one Bicycle.
--Met over 175 other cross country riders including riders from the Netherlands, the UK and Germany.
--Spent the first 11 days riding in rain and snow. Weather since mid-June has been great.
--Taken over 400 pictures.
--Have ridden approximately 170 hours, consumed and burned approximately 150,000 calories, most of which are carbs, and drank at least 30 gallons of liquids while riding.
--Met some real characters, ate some great food and visited numerous small communities of 500 or less people.
The trip to date has been everything I expected and then some.
Advice for the day--"If you are going to leave, do it while you still have some looks." Quote on the "specials" board at a restaurant in Wisdom Montana.
If you haven't made a pledge or a donation to the Panhandle Alliance for Education, please consider doing so. The ride is to support their early childhood literacy program. I can't think of a better cause than helping our young kids be ready for a life of learning. Remember, our children are our future!