June 30th Photos
Monument at Entrance to Glacier National Park in East Glacier, MT (with young boy seeking shade).
Breakfast at Glacier Village Restaurant in East Glacier, MT.
Mile 0 – Map of East Glacier Park, MT
Mile 5 – View of Rocky Mountains after leaving East Glacier.
Mile 12 – Approaching Browning, MT.
Mile 15 – View leaving Browning, MT.
Mile 18 on Route 2 – Typical view of Plains after leaving East Glacier.
Mile 25 – Camp Disappointment (Lewis & Clark Expedition).
Mile 25 – Looking back at the road traveled and the Rocky Mountains.
Mile 30 – One of the many trains each day that travel the same paths we do.
Mile 30 – One of the many trains each day that travel the same paths we do.
Mile 45 – Approaching Cut Bank, MT.
Mile 60 – The Plains between Cut Bank and Shelby, MT.
June 30th – East Glacier to Shelby, MT
Mile 5 looking West to East Glacier, MT and the Rockies.
Mile 5 – Looking East to the Montana Plains.
June 30th Statistics – East Glacier to Shelby, MT:
- Today’s Biking Distance – 69.0 miles
- Today’s Average Speed – 16.7 mph
- Today Ascent – 1,202 feet
- Today Descent – 2,636 feet
- Today’s Ending Elevation – 3,336 feet
- Total Trip Biking Days – 12
- Total Trip Biking Distance – 859.7 miles
- Total Trip Average Biking Distance/Day – 71.6 miles
- Total Trip Ascent – 40,524 feet
Finally a prefect day: All day sunshine, temperature mid 60s in the morning to low 80’s in the afternoon, beautiful, but different Montana scenery, moderate to low traffic, and wide unbroken shoulders (with some pebbles and rocks).
Another new record for the trip besides hours of sunshine – My fastest speed of the trip (in fact, ever for distance), 16.7 mph for almost 70 miles. While I would like to claim it was my conditioning, it was greatly assisted by tailwinds and a 1,500 feet elevation drop over the 70 miles.
To my frustration I had to catch a ride in a vehicle for 2 miles today. Route 2 was under construction with one passable lane for several miles and cars are led through the construction by a pilot vehicle. Typically, we have been allowed to skip the pilot driver and proceed through the construction. Today, I was stopped at the beginning of the construction and told that a grizzly bear and her cub were grazing near the construction area and that I would not be allowed to bike through for our own safety. The pilot vehicle (pickup truck) put my bike in the back and drove me the two miles. Unfortunately, the bear and her cub were gone by the time we reached the area.
The change in scenery was dramatic today as we passed the Rockies and entered the Plains (see todays photos when posted). At mile 30 I passed acres and 100s of power windmills scattered over the Plains. Most of the area I biked today is in the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.
Tomorrow will be the longest ride of the trip so far and our first century ride, about 111 miles. We are meeting for breakfast at 6:30 am and hope to be on the road by 7:30 am. Unfortunately the weather report is for rain in the PM as we approach Harve, MT (our second rest day).
June 29th Photos
Mile 5 – Local tourist attraction outside Coumbia Falls, MT.
Mile 23 – John and Susan biking on Route 2 beginning the climb to the Continental Divide at Marias Pass.
Mile 25 – View on Route 2 while climbing to Marias Pass over the Rockies.
Mile 42 – View from Essex, MT on John and Susan riding Route 2 to Marias Pass and the Continental Divide.
Mile 42 – Historic Izaak Walton Inn in Essex, MT (see June 29th post) where I had lunch on the climb to Marias Pass and Continental Divide.
Mile 42 – View downstream of Middle Fork of the Flathead River near Essex, MT.
Mile 42 – View Upstream of Middle Fork of the Flathead River near Essex, MT.
Mile 44 – Entering Glacier National Park beginning 17 mile continuous climb to Marias Pass and Continental Divide at 5,216 feet.
Mile 47 – View of Middle Fork of the Flathead River from Route 2.
Mile 48 – Another view from Route 2 of the Middle Fork of the Flathead River in Glacier National Park.
Mile 53 – Marias Pass only 6 miles further.
Diane and Nate Hart at Marias Pass/Continental Divide, 5,216 feet.
Mile 59 – Map of Marias Pass/Continental Divide.
Mile 65 – Looking towards East Glacier as I descend from Marias Pass on Route 2.
Mountain Pine Inn, East Glacier, Mt – Lodging night 13.
June 28th Photos
June 28 – Eureka to Columbia Falls, MT
Ksanka Inn, Gas Station, Convenience Store, and Subway – Lodging in Eureka, MT.
4 Corners Restaurant & Casino (15 slot machines) in Eureka, MT – A great breakfast (and dinner the night before).
Mile 9 – View along Old Highway/Tobacco Road.
Mile 12 – Scene along Meadow Creek Road near Fortine, MT.
Mile 17 – Route 93 between Forline & Stryker, MT (before it became dangerous).
Mile 19 – Dale awaiting us with nourishment and a chair.
Mile 21 – Passing Dickey Lake.
Mile 22 – Dickey Lake behind me.
Mile 43 – Finally, relief from Route 93 on Farm to Market Road leading to…….
Mile 50 – Another view from “Farm to Market Road”.
Mile 55 – Twin Bridges Road
Mile 60 – Whitefish, MT, beautiful setting, stylish downtown, well-maintained homes (some Victorian) surround city center. Most importunity, no more riding on Route 93.
Mile 63 – Edgewood Road outside Whitefish, MT.
Mile 66 – Tamarack Lane near Columbia Falls, MT.
Glacier Inn Motel – Lodging Night 12
Steve Prichard's 2012 Cross Country Bike Tour 