Today's production, as in many days, was a function of the decisions made. Uppermost on my mind was to make it to the Adventure Cycling Association office in Missoula before it closed at 5 PM. Choosing to stay in Superior, MT, meant a 60 miles ride. Had I gone to the next town, 20 miles closers to Missoula, today might have been a lot easier.
Hmm. If I want to leave Superior by 7 AM (6 AM PST), what time do I need to get up? Which is more important, extra sleep, or devotions? I opted for devotions, and set the alarm clock for 5 AM (4 AM PST).
Everything went smoothly, and I was on the road by 6:40 AM MST. If things went well, I might be under cover before the thunderstorms hit in the afternoon. The first thing I noticed when I got onto I-90 was a sign indicating 27 miles to the next town with a motel. This means that had I decided to get a room at the next town, yesterday's 53 miles would have become an 80 miler. Good grief, I am glad I stayed in Superior last night.
Temperatures were expected to be in the low 90's again, but the sun conveniently hid behind clouds most of the morning.
I had forgotten just how darned beautiful western Montana is. As I wove my way through the Bitterroot Mountains, the beauty was striking.
As usual there were lots of construction projects on I--90, lasting from 2-8 miles. It reminds me of the old joke: What are the 4 seasons in Montana called? Pre-snow, snow, snow, and road construction.
By early afternoon, I pulled up in front of the American Cycling Association (ACA) office. This is the mecca for touring bicyclists. For drop in tourers, they have free ice cream, sodas, juices and water. They also have large tire pumps which would come in handy. I was given a tour of the building. It was unusual to be the only visitor, as there were a half dozen visitors 8 years ago. A bunch arrived as I was leaving.
Before leaving, I was airing up my tires when a man walked up. He said "I understand that you had your photo taken here 8 years ago. I am the photographer." I acknowledged the photo, but did not remember him. He said "I want to take another one." I agreed to allow him to do it as long as I could get a copy. We went behind the building where his backdrop is. In every issue of Adventure Cycling magazine there is a photo of a touring bicyclers in front of the backdrop. I am not expecting my photo to make the cut.
After we were done, he said that the ACA has added something new, weighing the bikes and gear, if the owner was interested. I was!! You see, I knew it was around 85 pounds, and it always interested me on how people, without cargo, talk about there long rides, or the ease of summiting mountain passas, when their bikes weigh less than 25 pounds. My upright bicycle at home weighs 18 pounds and Steven's Pass was a lot easier on it than the one I am on now.
We tied a cloth band around my bike, then lifted it high enough so that the tires were off the ground when I let go. It weighed 97 pounds!!! Yikes. Small wonder that it is slow and difficult going uphill.
Tomorrow starts a new page on this journey. Up to now, I had been familiar with almost all of the route over the last 9 days. Thursday will be all new territory. I have not been this way before, and tomorrow will be my first night of camping. Day #2 will have my last mountain pass, Roger's Pass. At the end of the third day, I hope to be in Great Falls, then another day of rest.
I don't know when the next journal entry will be made. It may be two or three days.
Good night all.
