Odometer: 522 – 564 (42 miles, 68 kilometers)
I woke up at 6:39 at the sound of cows mooing. The Llamas may have been making noises too but I am unfamiliar with the sound they make. It was nice of the animals to be quiet until just when I was ready to get up.
I made my way down from the loft of the small log cabin and put on some porridge.
After cleaning up and packing I was on my bike again by 8:45am. Later than I would have intended but I have no regrets given the setting.
There was a fork not far from the lodge with a sign indicating “Helena 28″ (miles). I began down the road indicated before checking my GPS which indicated the other way. Thinking that the people who had created the GDMBR knew best I followed the main GDMBR.
The day was tough. As tough as I can remember any time. I had thought foolishly that I could make Helena yesterday (August 30th). After leaving the Lost Llama Lodge I was making about 4 miles an hour.
The ascent was relentless. I walked several times and began wondering what was wrong with me. After the batteries on my mp3 ran out I began to wonder about a lot of things.”Do I need more calories?”, “Am I getting too old?”, “Do I need more water?”, “Were the only guys who rode the GDMBR superhuman?” Maybe all were true.
I have a growing respect for the people who first settled the area without electricity or fossil fuel (or mp3 players.)
I passed a deserted mine from 1880 and bumped into a fellow from Nevada on his trail bike. He might have it all figured out correctly, riding up and down the mountains, enjoying the scenery, without self propulsion.
It wasn’t all up-hill; there were some descents too. But like others the roads are very rocky and rough. I braked almost all the time.
Eventually after a decent descent (from 1900 to 1400 meters) I arrived in Helena by mid-afternoon. I have decided to stay in the Holiday Inn Express where I can have a good shower and do my laundry. The contrast between last night’s quaint lodge and the Holiday Inn couldn’t be more pronounced.
I had supper at Applebee’s within walking distance and had some calories – pasta dinner, sweet potato fries, french onion soup and triple chocolate cake with ice cream. At least a calorie deficit wouldn’t be my excuse tomorrow.
i love the photo looking out your cabin door…a gentle looking mountain with farmland in the valley. that’s my kind of mountain scene.
“The ascent was relentless. I walked several times and began wondering what was wrong with me. After the batteries on my mp3 ran out I began to wonder about a lot of things.”Do I need more calories?”,”Am I getting too old?”,”Do I need more water?”.”Were the only guys who rode the GDMBR superhuman?” Maybe all were true.”
You must be Superman, or at least have the steely will of a Superman. I can not even imagine…