Up at 5 or so to pack and take bike and bags to the front desk. Picked up cue sheets in the lobby at 6 and proceeded to the Student Union for breakfast. Most Riders were in a relaxed mood in the wake of a rest day, and with the knowledge that we had only 56 miles to travel today.
Winds and temps were in our favor. Wound our way out of Billings and onto 87 East. Bit of an extended climb out of town - but beautiful scenery. Rolling hills, somewhat green but yellow-tinged with wild mustard. Rode with Dewayne, Jim, Patti and Bob. Tailwinds nearly the entire route. At one point, I noticed that Jim and Dewayne had stopped - right in the middle of the road. As I approached, expecting to learn of a bike problem, I could see that they were focused on something in the road: a sunning rattlesnake. It was about 3 feet in length and motionless. Jim, being a middle-school science teacher, could confirm for us that the snake was just "warming up". We kept our distance and took photos.
Further on the ride, we encountered a truck driver whose trailer had detached (when he swerved, trying to avoid an oncoming car). He was in need of a cell phone. Bob to the rescue! The driver was able to reach a friend and get some help. Glad to know that we can help out once in a while.
Arrived in Hardin before 11. Set up camp adjacent to the school football field. I rode around town, found a Dairy Queen and enjoyed some ice cream. Asked for directions to the local library, which I found. Unfortunately, they maintain a 40 minute limit per user per day. Kinda tight, but made use of of it. In the meantime, Bob had asked around town for someone to ferry some Riders to the Little Big Horn battle site. Soon enough, Bart (a willing and chatty, older local guy) showed up with his car. He gladly drove groups of 3-4 of us out to the site, about 15 miles away. I went - though the afternoon was hot - and had a pleasant time wandering around the battle site. Returned to camp and finagled another session at the library before dinner.
Beyond Basil drove out from Billings to cater another delicious dinner. The evening wound down quietly and we slipped into our respective abodes for the night.
Winds and temps were in our favor. Wound our way out of Billings and onto 87 East. Bit of an extended climb out of town - but beautiful scenery. Rolling hills, somewhat green but yellow-tinged with wild mustard. Rode with Dewayne, Jim, Patti and Bob. Tailwinds nearly the entire route. At one point, I noticed that Jim and Dewayne had stopped - right in the middle of the road. As I approached, expecting to learn of a bike problem, I could see that they were focused on something in the road: a sunning rattlesnake. It was about 3 feet in length and motionless. Jim, being a middle-school science teacher, could confirm for us that the snake was just "warming up". We kept our distance and took photos.
Further on the ride, we encountered a truck driver whose trailer had detached (when he swerved, trying to avoid an oncoming car). He was in need of a cell phone. Bob to the rescue! The driver was able to reach a friend and get some help. Glad to know that we can help out once in a while.
Arrived in Hardin before 11. Set up camp adjacent to the school football field. I rode around town, found a Dairy Queen and enjoyed some ice cream. Asked for directions to the local library, which I found. Unfortunately, they maintain a 40 minute limit per user per day. Kinda tight, but made use of of it. In the meantime, Bob had asked around town for someone to ferry some Riders to the Little Big Horn battle site. Soon enough, Bart (a willing and chatty, older local guy) showed up with his car. He gladly drove groups of 3-4 of us out to the site, about 15 miles away. I went - though the afternoon was hot - and had a pleasant time wandering around the battle site. Returned to camp and finagled another session at the library before dinner.
Beyond Basil drove out from Billings to cater another delicious dinner. The evening wound down quietly and we slipped into our respective abodes for the night.
Bart was talking to me about his work - short-haul driving, truckloads of coal from a local mine to a refinery. He does this at night. Six round-trips, approximately 350 miles per shift. He mentioned the hazards of driving on unlit roads in free-range areas. I asked him about fencing. He said that in this part of Montana, people put up fences to keep animals OUT, not in. If you don't have a known problem with predators, why use any fencing?
Today's ride was quick, scenic, and thoroughly enjoyable. As I roll along under such conditions, I wonder if I slow down. It's tempting to whiz down a hill, or hitch your wagon to a fine tailwind and test your maximum speed. I can't imagine when I'll be riding through here again. But then, look - there are some friends up ahead. I should catch them.
Moving at the pace of a cyclist, it's easy to become complacent about the view. Another mountain range. Yet another photo-worthy rock formation or shed in a sunlit field. It reminds me of trips to museums and facing the challenge of viewing "one more masterpiece". If only you could parcel out the experience so that you could give each painting, or section of the route, its rightful attention.
Today's ride was quick, scenic, and thoroughly enjoyable. As I roll along under such conditions, I wonder if I slow down. It's tempting to whiz down a hill, or hitch your wagon to a fine tailwind and test your maximum speed. I can't imagine when I'll be riding through here again. But then, look - there are some friends up ahead. I should catch them.
Moving at the pace of a cyclist, it's easy to become complacent about the view. Another mountain range. Yet another photo-worthy rock formation or shed in a sunlit field. It reminds me of trips to museums and facing the challenge of viewing "one more masterpiece". If only you could parcel out the experience so that you could give each painting, or section of the route, its rightful attention.
1 comment:
"It reminds me of trips to museums and facing the challenge of viewing "one more masterpiece". If only you could parcel out the experience so that you could give each painting, or section of the route, its rightful attention."
Very well said. Drink in as much as you can.
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