Life On A B-I7

Route

• Circle to Glendive

Metrics

• Miles: 48
• Average Speed: 9.82 mph
• Ride Time: 4 hours 48 minutes
• Climbing: 601 vertical feet

A good day. The flatter terrain was a big help.

You may wonder, “if he can go 48 miles in under 5 hours, why doesn’t he go further?” Two reasons:

1. It’s always best to stop in a town where there is a park for camping or other amenities.
2. You have to listen to your body. Or, as Harry Callahan would say, “a man’s got to know his limitations.”

I need a haircut and a shave. I’m looking like Chewbacca. (You’ll recall I met him back in Eureka and got his autograph.) On second thought, maybe not. Wookiees are considered to be a highly intelligent species. If I hold-off on that haircut and shave, I might be able to pass myself off as one…

I tried, it’s Sunday! Of course there is no place open.

All the climbing today was in the first 26 miles, after that it was essentially flat. That played into the better numbers. If I were an 8th Grade Math Teacher, I would come up with a formula the could be used to measure performance based on climbing, distance, and mph. Unfortunately I’m not that good at math. Anyone out there that teaches 8th grade math (or has in the past) that wants to take a swing at that, be my guest.

I’m still waiting for Summer! I’m hoping the weather will figure out the calendar and start behaving like it is supposed to! looking forward to July. I would like to be doing more camping and less staying in motels.

Not a fun hill, as hills go. This shot is looking back at the mile below. Notice the shoulder. The dark tarmac on the far left is a no-go zone (rough). The area to the right of the white line is (obviously) a no-go zone. That leaves the 18” in between for navigation. Not always easy when the wind is blowing. I have no complaints about the drivers. The vast majority give me LOTS of room. I don’t use a mirror, I rely on my sense of sound to tell me what’s coming. I’m focused on the pavement ahead and the sound behind. This may be hard to believe, but that can be very meditative.

This is one of the 12 “Montana Call Home” Projects in Central and Eastern Montana. The sculptor, Jim Dolan, has placed these “phone booths” as a reminder, not only to call home, but also to seek help if mental health issues are troubling you. Dolan is a world famous artist and has voluntarily installed all of the sculptures. This is the third one I have seen on my journey through Montana.

Itinerary Maps