| Dennis and Lyndsey Morris Cell phone: 918-230-6448 denlyn@denlynmor.com |
| Day 19: Friday, July 15, Powell, Idaho to Missoula, Montana We rode 54.1 miles and climbed 2,086 feet. We had a great cool but sunny morning to start our ride, having 8 miles of gradual climb to get our legs warmed up and then a 5 mile climb to the top of Lolo Pass. We crossed the State line into Montana (our first time ever in Montana), entered a new time zone and then enjoyed a gradual downhill run into Missoula (of course it was not all downhill!) more info click here Day 20: Saturday, July 16, Visit Adventure Cycling in Missoula and do the laundry For more info click here Day 21: Sunday, July 17, Missoula to Hamilton rode 49.4 miles and climbed 869 feet - it was an easy day! We rode a nice bike trail from Lolo to Florence and then the route sent us eastward to what appeared to be an alternate to Hwy 93, however, the road from Florence to Stevensville was probably the busiest road we have ridden on since the start of our trip. No problems, but it seemed like they were evacuating Missoula and all the cars were coming down that road. This seemed very unusual for 9 a.m. on a Sunday morning. We had a nice late breakfast at Stevensville and then eased on into Hamilton to start resting up for Chief Joseph's Pass elevation--7241 from 3550-- so tomorrow is a climb day! More info click here Day 22: Monday, July 18, to Wisdom rode 74.2 miles and climbed 3871 feet - It was not an easy day! We had a gradual climb for the first 40 miles and then began a serious grade of about 6% that lasted for 9 miles. After Chief Joseph Pass at elevation 7241 it was 27 miles to Wisdom and we rolled in after 6 p.m. More info click here Day 23: Tuesday, July 19, to Dillon rode 70.4 miles and climbed 3007 feet - looks similar to yesterday but it was a piece of cake in comparison! All the grades were easier and we had about a 20 mile per hour wind at our back all day. We met a couple of Westbound tourers that were looking for a place to stay and try again tomorrow. After climbing to Big Hole Pass at 7360 elevation, with the combination of the descent and the strong tail winds, we managed to burn up our drum brake. Bike Friday will overnight us a new one tomorrow so we will have to ease down the grades with the rim brakes for a couple of days. more info click here Day 24: Wednesday, July 20, Dillon to Ennis we rode 63.5miles and climbed 2523 feet We got in late and then met Steve for dinner and walked up to where the Cycle Montana group is camping and just got back to the motel and I have to sit outside on a rather buggy evening to use the wi-fi so this is all I am going to do tonight! I will get Dennis to tell you about our day and get some photos on when we get to West Yellowstone tomorrow. click here Day 25: Thursday, July 21, Ennis to West Yellowstone We rode 72.2 miles and climbed 2677 feet This day began with a beeping alarm earlier than we would have liked, then a gradual grade on a straight highway with a nice shoulder except that it had rumbles right down the middle of the shoulder, a head wind and no change of scenery for 25 miles. So it had to get better and it did! more info click here Day 26: Friday, July 22, West Yellowstone to Grants Village, WY This day was basically our off day with a drive through Yellowstone, that we would normally have ridden. We saw some of the various geysers and had lunch at Old Faithful area. We had prepaid reservations at Grant Village and it was imperative that we get there and this is how we decided to do it! more info click here
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