Part of it was, but then things got a little spicy!
Since it rained last night, my tent was wet again (but not muddy…thank you grass). I dried it off as much as possible with the Swedish dish cloth. I was on the road just after 7:30. To get back to the route, I just rode Main St to the frontage road that I would be riding for many miles today. I went by the Farm Prison (now a museum).
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| Looks a bit like a castle |
Of course, the frontage road parallels I-90, so you get all of the noise, but not so much traffic. The speed limit on the frontage road is less too. It’s only 70mph!
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| Miles and miles of frontage road |
I came to Anaconda, hole of the historic Anaconda Smelter Tower.
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| Can’t miss it. |
I got off the frontage road to wiggle through Anaconda over to MT 1. This is the hwy I was on yesterday. The reason for this was to get to the Rest Area because the Copperway Regional Trail started there.
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| Smooth! |
I was only on it for a few miles to Crackerville Rd. The trail continued. Apparently, now it does go all the way to Butte, but it’s not all paved yet. That will be a great update for the GAWR.
I, however, had to do a bit of road riding before coming back to the trail. There was just a little bit of gravel, but it was very washboarded. The trailhead had a restroom.
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| Washboarded gravel |
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| Notice the very dark clouds |
As I came to the trailhead, the wi d was really starting to pick up. It was also colder. I had put my rain jacket on just for warmth (and it looked like it was going to rain any moment). I pulled into the parking lot of the trailhead because it was starting to rain, and I needed to put the rest of my rain gear on. I was at the other end of the building, sheltered from the wind and rain that was blowing sideways. I had my rain gear on, but realized I would be riding right into the wind. Then there was thunder. I checked out the restroom. Ah, one big room! I wheeled Wanda in. I looked on my phone to see how long this was going to last. Only about an hour, then it dropped off significantly. I pulled out my chair, and a snack.
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| A delicious pecan pie bar. |
About 40 minutes later I opened the door. The rain had stopped! I quickly packed up my chair, and exited the restroom. The wind had mostly died down too. I figured I only had a brief window before the next storm rolled in. I rode like a bat outta hell! I had one final climb for the day on the trail. I powered up that sucker like I had nothing on my bike! The trail snaked around. It also had big cracks which were very annoying.
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| Go fast! |
I popped out onto Santa Claus Rd (Ho Ho Ho), rode onto Centennial Rd, and then to Montana Rd. Here I departed from the route because I had to go to the post office to pick up my Brooks saddle. It was several blocks uphill. I finally had to walk. I picked up the box (thank you Makaela) and immediately put the saddle on outside the post office so I could mail the other one home. I also sent my frying pan and my spatula home too (just not using them). Once that task was done, I headed to the nearest bike shop (conveniently one block away) to get a new headlight. My other one died in the storm. The guy only had one option. It’s only 300 lumens, but I just need it for a couple of tunnels.
Then it was all the back downhill to the KOA. I told the people in the office that this was the third time I’ve stayed at this KOA, and on three different bike routes! They have a discount for cyclists. The tent site was $32 which is pretty cheap for a KOA. They even have full size towels for cyclists to use (no charge)! I set everything up (careful eye on the weather), and took my shower. This KOA has pizza, so I got a cheese pizza for dinner.
I needed a few groceries, so I rode over to Safeway (5 minutes away). When I came out, there was another big black cloud. I hurried back to my tent. Made it in time to get everything put away. When I came out from brushing my teeth, it was raining. I dove in the tent, but then the sun came out, and it was roasting in there. The rain had stopped.
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| Rainbow from my tent |
I’m looking forward to riding on the Brooks tomorrow. I realize it might take a moment for my butt bones to stop feeling bruised, but it will be okay, I’m sure!
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| Wanda with the Brooks saddle from Billy. |
