distance: approx 42 miles
The road through the national forest was very rough and steep in parts. In spite of this we made pretty good time. I think we’re finally adapting to biking everyday.
The girls generally rode ahead since I do not appreciate fast descents over pot-holes, rocks and washboard. I will have to check brakes for wear soon. In all my travels across Canada I seldom if ever used my brakes on descents. In contrast, on the rough GDMBR roads I have my brakes on almost all the time.
I am guessing that my reaction time and balance is not quite as good. Besides the bumps give me a headache.
Besides a few trailers and remote cabins the road led through deserted wilderness. In spite of this the signage and was very good – a pattern I have seen before in the well maintained forests.
Just after our lunch break we met 7 or 8 men, and two pastors, renting a forestry cabin for a fishing retreat. A friendly man named Tom introduced himself and explained they were from a Baptist Church in Memphis who had linked up with another church from the same denomination from Kalispel to spend some “quality” time away from their wives killing trout. They generously invited us to have some grilled chicken/ham and cheese sandwiches, cake and cookies. As they said grace for the food they extended a kind prayer for our safe travel – for which I am grateful.
I am not sure they knew how much people who biked all day could eat. Otherwise they may have been more reserved. Laura and Michelle had three sandwiches and soon all the food was gone when another group arrived to find the bowls empty. We left the pastors to explain things, thanked them profusely and took our leave.
I had planned to stay at Red Meadows Campground which was marked on the main GDMBR track. We were about 3 miles shy of Red Meadows when we saw a perfect stream by the bridge and stopped there for the night.
