Day 11: Missoula to Helena

Today we began our journey across the beatiful state of Montana with a big ride - 125 miles with 6,100 feet of climbing. We were aided most of the day by a nice tailwind, but it was still a long, tough day - about 8 hours in the saddle.  The climb over the continental divide at MacDonald Pass was about 4 miles with a steady grade of 6% - not so bad as climbs go.  However, it was made more challenging by the fact that we started  the climb after having already pedaled 105 miles.  Today's entire ride was filled with magnificent vistas of ranchlands and mountains interlaced with streams and rivers - just the way Montana is supposed to look.  

I soloed almost the entire way again today and have decided that I much prefer it over riding in a pace line.  When soloing, I can vary my speed to my liking over the rolling terrain, enjoy the passing scenery, and relax.   None of this is possible in a pace line.  I guess I'm willing to accept the "energy penalty" of not being able to draft behind other riders in order to gain the freedom to do my own thing.  

I've never been to Helena before and won't get to see much of it during our short stay.  However, I was surprised at the number of beautiful Victorian style buildings and residents.  So I checked it out on Wikipedia and learned that around the year 1888, about 50 millionaires lived in Helena, more per capita than in any city in the world. Their fortunes were made in gold taken from the nearby Last Chance Gluch and they used some of it to build the fine buildings and residences that we still see today. We are staying downtown and there is a very interesting pedestrian mall incorporating many of the old buildings.  I found it very much to my liking - particularly because it has an ice cream shop which makes excellent chocolate milk shakes.

Tomorrow we continue are journey across Montana with another long 116 mile ride to Bozemen.  There is only about one-half the amount of climbing as we did today, so it shouldn't be as demanding. However, the winds may not be as favorable as they were today and there is the threat of rain later in the afternoon - hopefully we will arrive in Bozemen before the rain arrives.

Due to our long ride and late arrival it has already reached by 8pm bedtime and I still have to get everything ready for tomorrow.  So goodnight!

Steve