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Published: September 7th 2015
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HELENA to Missouri Headwaters Nat. Park. Section 4 THE GREAT DIVIDE STAGE 41 Distance Kms 111.77 kms; Total Dist to Date 4395 kms;
Road Condition: good, narrow shoulderWeather: Shirt sleeves at start 16C, 92F in Camp
at 5pmand Blue sky. Time in Saddle: 4.41 hrs Speed: av 23.8 kph Max speed 53.1 kph Av Cadence 79 rpm Elevation: 550m up; Total up to Date 41,340 m ; 550m down; down to date 35,419m.
Today was uneventful, started later after a hotel breakfast. A warm night and upon rising. Temperature continued to rise until mid 90s most of the day into the evening. Never happy, was praying for warmer weather, not hot weather!!! Weather not me is fickle, amazing how on last riding day it was cold at start, and cool whilst doing most of ride. I presume that by crossing the continental divide, the cooling Pacific winds are blocked and that we are now getting winds from the east rolling across America's vast central plains where the heat had built up.
Camp is at the Missouri headwaters, not that large at this point, mainly myriad streams,(rivers- Jefferson; Madison,both presidents and Gallatin,treasury secretary), fast flowing though. The river was wonderful to
sit it on a hot afternoon and to clean up from the road dust and the camp heat.
Other than a toilet, no other camp facilities.
Scenery was primarily grassy plains, periodically interspersed with a few crops. The hills were steady inclines.
Missouri Headwaters Nat. Park to GALLATIN CANYON Section 4 THE GREAT DIVIDE STAGE 42 Distance Kms 115.32 kms; Total Dist to Date 4511 kms;
Road Condition: good, narrow shoulderWeather: Warmish most of the day, showers after lunch, now overcast.Time in Saddle: 5.35 hrs Speed: av 20.6 kph Max speed 47.8 kph Av Cadence 79 rpm Elevation: 1220m up; Total up to Date 42,560 m, 560 m down; down to date 35,979m.
I found to day tough,1 hour longer to do basically the same distance. There was more climbing, although it wasn't intense. Rolling hills, which affects my rhythm. After lunch it rained, not heavy, but enough to cause road spray from passing trucks.
We rode through Gallatin Canyon, steep mountains with a narrow pass. The road was only wide enough for passing vehicles. The shoulders were very narrow and poor condition. The trucks felt as though they passed within inches.
Very intense 40 kms, and arrived quite stiff in the shoulders and my knee again began to ache. A bad sleep didn't improve the day!!
The scenery in the canyon was aided by a fat flowing river and rapids. Saw a few fly fishermen. As i was passing one reeled in a small trout. I would like to try fly fishing, it looks quite relaxing. Perhaps when these cycle journeys finish within the next 2 years!!
Another camp similar to yesterday. Had another swim/wash. The water was freezing. Entering the river is difficult as they have very rocky bottoms, and the fast flowing water requires careful foot placement. Enjoy your warm showers!
GALLATIN CANYON to WEST YELLOWSTONE. Section 4 THE GREAT DIVIDE STAGE 43 Distance Kms 68.42 kms; Total Dist to Date 4580 kms;
Road Condition: good, narrow shoulderWeather: cold morning,1st 15km-0C, Warm rest of the day, showers after lunch. Time in Saddle: 3.09 hrs Speed: av 21.7 kph Max speed 50.6 kph Av Cadence 76 rpm Elevation: 500m up; Total up to Date 43,060m, 400m down; down to date 36,479m
Today was short and straight forward other than for the freezing start. It was warmer when we left the tent, than on the road.
Scenery unspectacular. Staying in a tent rather than a hotel. Camp is one of the best we have had, but my gripe is the staff are staying in cabins. They also usually camp. Why is this so? The answer is this company, TDA, Is ripping us off!
Additionally the board went up for the riding once we leave here, over 8 days we ride 1,073 kms and climb 7900 metres, really quite ludicrous, considering we have had 3 sections of 3 days riding then a rest. Surely better planning would have been more responsible. I can see numerous people riding the bus due to exhaustion. I am quite disappointed with the senior management, AND I am not alone.
West Yellowstone is established to service tourists entering the park. I doubt there is any other business! Township was pleasant.
Tomorrow we are going into Yellowstone Park, due to the efforts of Tom, a fellow rider, who arranged a mini bus to take 15 of us and the park permit. TDA was useless on ideas. In fact some staff are joining the mini bus. Should be a good day with an early start. Want to be at the Old Faithful geyser by
8 am before the big buses arrive. The park is huge, once had its own protective army and was the world's first proclaimed National Park.
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