This bicycle journey is a lot like life. It is good or not so good, depending on the choices I make. Choices such as: the route taken; the daily mileage; where to eat; when to rest. The dynamics may be different for than for you, but all of us make decisions (choices) all day, every day.

My itinerary showed me riding 52 miles today, and camping. Then tomorrow was to be a 84 miler, including going over Roger's Pass. Unfortunately, the Pass would be late in the afternoon, when I would be tired. What else might work better?

Studying my map, I discovered that if I went 28 additional miles today, giving me 80 miles total, I would reduce Friday's mileage to 56. Additionally, I would be summiting Roger's Pass 17 miles into the day. As a bonus, there would be a motel to stay in.

The question is: How would the body hold up? The answer, besides "Who knows?", is "What does it matter?" I am either doing 80 miles today or 84 tomorrow. Let's get it over with today.  

Another 5 AM MST wake up. Finishing prayers and devotions by 6 AM, I was on the road before 7 AM. 

The road was nice, and the scenery was flat out gorgeous. Had breakfast an hour onto the ride. Something was different. It was cooler outside. It even sprinkled a little. This, the 9th day of riding, was the first day when the temperature did not get into the 80s. In fact, I do not think it got above 75 degrees.

The ride was typical: Lots of climbing then lots of descending. But the day went smoothly, and, for the first time, I was not tired when, at 4 PM, I checked in to a motel. Strange, huh? The fourth consecutive day of riding, the longest day so far, and I feel great! It might have been the weather. It might have been the fact that I filled my water bottle up with Gatorade instead of water. Or maybe the body is starting to get inured to bike travel. Or maybe God decided to specially bless this day of cycling. Or maybe all of them, but I look forward to more like it.

Tomorrow will be similar to today, only shorter, 56 miles, and a mountain pass to conquer. One more day of riding on Saturday, then another day of rest, on Sunday, in Great Falls.

The weather has been unusual. The Plains are known for violent rainstorms, and there have been lots of severe thunderstorms in this area, just not where I am.

Yesterday at the Adventure Cycling Association office, I picked up the Fed Ex envelope from Karen. Inside was an object that I forgot to transfer from my clip-on bike shoes to the shoes I am using on this trip. It is intended to be an aid to emergency personnel in the event of an accident. It states my name, my hometown, my home phone number, it notes that I am an organ donor, my blood type, and, perhaps most importantly, the words "Lord watch over me."

Blessings to you all.