7/8-What Was All the 212 Kerfuffle About?

I knew I had a big day today, so I was on the road at 6:30. Cool thing about today was that there was a town of sorts about every 20 miles. So, every couple of hours or so, I could get something cold to drink, and a snack. 

This was also another day of Reservation riding, two different tribes. 

First up…the Crow

I also crossed the Bighorn River. 

And saw this sign that I actually turned around to take a photo. 

Didn’t see any pigs though. 

Today had way more climbing than yesterday. 

Going up into the hills

Then getting a bit of down

The first town I came to was Crow Agency. One thing I’d heard about Crow Agency was that there were a lot of dogs. That was true, but while they gave a bit of a chase, I just sweet talked them, and they gave up without me having to even yell at them. I didn’t tell a couple to watch out for the cars!

 I stopped in at the gas station for my standard chocolate milk and a banana cream pie (ooo…something different!). As I was heading down the road to find a shady spot for my snack, who should I happen upon? Ben! Last saw him in Three Forks, the day I was riding with Brian. We’d been messaging, so I knew he was near. He went back to the gas station to get a resupply. I found a shady picnic table and ate my snack. Two young Native girls walking to breakfast, stopped to chat with me. They looked to be 12 or 13. A woman pulled up in a van, and was asking the girls what they were doing (probably because they were talking to this strange lady on a bike). They went off to breakfast, and the woman got out of her car, and came to chat with me. Her name was Shonna. When I told her where I was going, she made sure to tell me how terrible Hwy 212 was. Now, I had already heard this from the guys ahead of me, who got the info from some Crow Agency locals. Those guys opted to go via Sheridan, WY instead of doing the “terrible” Hwy 212. According to Crow Agency sources, 212 had no shoulder, and the semis didn’t move over to pass you. I decided to take my chances. One thing I’ve learned is that you should not take it as gospel what a non-cyclist tells you about road conditions, and the danger of said conditions.

So I continued toward the dreaded 212. Along the way I stopped at this Warrior Trail Veterans Memorial. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get the best photo because the paint was wet (so the sign said).

Potentially wet paint. The sign also said to keep off the grass. 

Soon I arrived at the intersection to get on 212. I did have to wait a hot minute for traffic to clear, but this is what it looked like once I pulled onto it. 

Jeez! That shoulder looks…wait…

The turn for Little Bighorn Battlefield was just up ahead. 

I didn’t go to the battlefield. Honestly, I kind of feel like if you’ve been to one battlefield, you’ve probably been to enough. When we did the Trans Am, we went to Bighole Monument/Battlefield also in Montana. Besides, I really didn’t have time either. 

The hwy was quite rolling. There were ups that seemed like they should have initiated the Climb Pro, but didn’t. And all those semis? Yeah, most of them moved over, even though I had a huge shoulder. 

Next Rez was the Northern Cheyenne. 

And the next town was Busby. Not much to Busby, but they had a minimally stocked trading post. 

I got a Dr Pepper and, weirdly, a red velvet cupcake.

Funny thing, I asked the young clerk if they had a restroom. She said they didn’t, but if it was an emergency, I could go around the side of the building. Of course I have my p-style, so no problem!

From Busby, the next town was Lame Deer, about another 20 miles down the road. There, at the roundabout (I think my first one in Montana) was a kind of a “mall” of sorts. There were a few shops, one of which had ice cream. I had a bowl of huckleberry, and a bottle of water. In the restroom, I soaked my buff and my headband. Nearly the entire day was completely exposed in the sun. 

From Lame Deer, it was exactly 20 more miles to my destination of Ashland. In that 20 miles there were two significant climbs, both the longest climbs of the day. The first was just shy of 2 miles. The second was 5 miles. The grades weren’t bad, and I don’t think I ever got into my easiest gear, but after 60 miles, even an easier climb is exhausting.

Hmmm…some scenery!

This dog was hanging out by the hwy, when I rode by, it took off like a shot! Perhaps it knew it wasn’t supposed to be there?

Woo Hoo top of the first climb, and one of my favorite signs!

Top of the second climb! An even steeper descent!

The descent from the long climb was not as fun because the shoulder was narrower (because the uphill side had a secondary slow lane). 

There was one final short climb before I descended to Ashland. 

Still about 6 miles to go.

When I started to approach Ashland, I noticed this bike path. 

It made for an awesome ride into town.

My plan was to stay at the Western 8 Motel. I got checked in, and to my room. It’s definitely no frills. 

However, it’s a good thing I’m indoors. Just after I went to the convenience store, a thunderstorm came in, and it poured down rain. 

Good idea to be sleeping indoors!

So, the “terrible” Hwy 212 turned out to be just fine! In fact, for such a long day (84 miles-new distance record), it was kind of perfect (might have been better if it was a little cooler).

7/7-Not Much to Look at Today

Here’s my campsite from last night. There was a thunderstorm and it rained off and on most of the night. Still, it was one of the better campsites. Sure, there were a few cow pies, but it’s not the first time I’ve camped in a cow pasture. 

Right on the creek. 

Had to walk across this pasture, and through another gate. 

I was on the road at 7:30. I went through the rest of Pryor. Not much to it, and no services. 

I’m so glad I didn’t try to get to Hardin yesterday. It wasn’t difficult, but it would have been with the wind. Plus, it was so much the same scenery, and miles upon miles of straight roads, that I might have fallen asleep on my bike! Also, it would have been just shy of a hundred miles. Here’s what the day looked like. 

Becca told me I might spot a porcupine in the trees. I saw a dead one on the road, but none in the trees. 

Endless straight road 

A whole lotta nothin’

Even longer straight road

I had ridden 50 miles by about 12:15. Since there were no services (meaning no chocolate milk), there wasn’t much reason to stop. I stopped mostly just to pee, and eat some snacks. Half the time, I didn’t even get off my bike. The wind was much better today. 

About 1:00 or so, I finally made it to Hardin. 

The town down there

I needed some groceries, so I rode straight to the bigger grocery store. An employee at the store brought Wanda inside because some kid was looking at her. I thanked her. Wanda is now locked to the picnic table at the RV park. I did guzzle down a bottle of chocolate milk at the grocery store!

The woman who owns the RV park is kind of a crazy cat lady. Her name is Laurie. In the office I counted at least 4 cats (and a little terrier who likes belly rubs). She was telling me all about how her AAA status was taken from her, and how she’s going to sue and all that. But, the best thing about this place is at 7:30 there is an ice cream social. For $4.00 you get a big bowl of ice cream (many flavors to choose from). I’ll be doing that for sure!

Oh, and I did see a deer this morning, but it was too quick for me to get a photo. 

7/6-Another Fine Example of It Always Works Out!

Not gonna lie, I was a little nervous about today. The distance was pretty daunting. I left Cooney Lake at 6:30.

I don’t usually see sunrises

It was about a mile back to the route (sure seemed longer than that yesterday). It was rolling pavement to Joliet. 

Good morning shadow!

See the deer?

And now for some turkeys

My plan was to stock up on water and a few more snacks in Joliet. 

Even though it was only 8:00, I had a chocolate milk. I added two liters of water to my collection. I don’t think I mentioned this before, but when I was riding from Phillipsburg, I found a Titan strap (like a Voile strap) on the side of the road. I only had one extra strap. I needed a second one to carry two extra liters. The road provides!

Everything loaded, I made my way back to the route. The road went to gravel (I’d already had one section of gravel). I encountered my first road grader of the day. The gravel was quite thick on the ungraded side, so I moved over to the graded side. 

A bit smoother

I finished that gravel as I came into Edgar (I think that’s the name of the town), home of “Fordhenge”.

I talked with the artist’s wife, Sheri. Her husband has created this memorial garden of old Fords. Each tree has been planted in memory of one of his car friends who have passed away. It was quite interesting, and still a work in progress. 

Back to it, because those miles weren’t going to ride themselves! Also back to gravel. The wind was really becoming a factor, and not in a good way. The gravel was less than optimum. Very thick and loose. There was a fair amount of traffic. And yet another road grader. He passed me twice. 

So much dust!

I rode with the buff up almost the entire day

I only had one climb today, but it was 5.27 miles long! The crosswind was making it hard to stay in the track on the gravel. It got to the point where it was easier to walk…sorta.

I “finished” the climb, but there wasn’t much of a descent until later. Coming down in the wind was almost as bad as going up. There were times when I didn’t have to brake because the wind was braking for me! 

It wasn’t until I got more into a canyon that the wind was a little better. And I was also back on pavement. 

It looks like the rocks are in pieces

Ah, the Pryor town dump

Realizing that there was no way I was going to make it to Hardin, I pulled into Chief Plenty Coups State Park. I was hoping they might let me camp here (or maybe I could hitch a ride to Hardin with someone). When I pulled up to the museum, there was a young woman, and an older woman sitting at the picnic table. I asked the young gal if she worked there. She did. I asked if it would be possible for me to camp here beings there was no way I was going to make it to Hardin (another 55 miles). She said they didn’t allow camping, but Bernie, the older woman, owned the property across the road. Bernie said I could camp by the creek on her property! 

This gave me time to check out the state park and museum. 

Chief Plenty Coups museum

His home

He ran a store. This is how he kept track of who owed what

The Chief

A special room in his house

Notice the wall coverings

Becca, the younger woman, let me bring Wanda inside the museum while I was wandering the park. She even gave me some bear spray for my camping tonight!

We had a great chat as there weren’t any other people at the park. She might even end up in Washington!

Okay, I’m going to upload this post (there’s service here at the park), then head over to check out my campsite at Bernie’s. See, it always works out!