Darby, Montana

Montana is a great place to cycle. Even with the head winds that have apparently decided to torment me through the state. AND even with my chain snapping yesterday in the midst of a climb (the same chain I bought in Jackson Hole). Luckily I have this extra link that I could put in to chain it together again - but now it makes this horrific noise and I'm sure its eating my rear cassette all to peices. Only another 60 or so miles to go to another bike shop!

That's the thing with touring. So many things happen in one day - you are in total awe and amazement over a view (or a egg omelete) and then 90 mins later you are staring at your broken chain, in the middle of 46 miles of NOTHING, 230 miles to the nearest bike shop - 1500 feet left to climb, thinking 'ok, what now?"

Montana is best when you are cycling next to one of its wonderful rivers, waving at the fly fisherpeople, with the temperature a friendly 75. Montana also has endless vistas of grassy plains. These grassy plains are great as you descend into them and think 'wow - that's endless!' , but after three days, and you are STILL IN THIS GRASSY PLAIN, all you are thinking is: end already!!!!!

Of course they end with a climb through a mountain pass, so its not all good news.

This morning was one of those mornings where i told myself: 'Sarah, today is a success if you just get out of bed.'
It was pouring out, and the bugs were especially vicious. But I got out of my tent, staggered the 500 meters into town (Wisdom), and waited in a local cafe drinking copious cups of coffee until the weather cleared slightly. Then I returned, packed up my campsite,and got going. Two hours later, as I was hitting the climb for the day, the weather cleared, the sun came out, and I enjoyed one of my best descents. Seven miles down highway 93. Good pavement, no traffic. GREAT.


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Plus 16 miles off route which I decided I'd rather cycle and camp for free than pay KOA's exorbiant tent fees. 25$ for a tent?????? Gimme a break!!!