7/9-Naming the Rocks

Today was going to be another big mile day, only this one had about 3/4 of the ride on gravel. I left as early as I could at 6:15. It was nice and cool. I embraced it!

Enjoying the cool shade!

Oh, and there’s my shadow!

The first 24 miles were on pavement. I was carrying an extra two liters of water, so it seemed slow. I got an early deer sighting. 

I actually saw more deer/antelope today than any other day. 

My Garmin bleeped telling me I had reached about the 1/3 route completion mark. That means I’m still on track for an end of August finish.

1/3rd done!

I’ve been averaging 46.6 miles per day. 

Shortly after, Ben caught up to me. We chatted for a moment, then he jetted ahead. 

See ya!

I went by Stag Rock. I didn’t name this one. 

Also this forest of “hay trees”.

Funny way to set hay bales!

At the turn for the beginning of the gravel, I stopped for a mid morning banana cream pie and a Bai Coconut drink. Chocolate milk wouldn’t have made it (don’t worry, I had it for breakfast). 

Ben and I had been talking about the condition of the road, hoping it wouldn’t be muddy after last night’s thunderstorm. 

It was just fine!

There were a few short climbs, but mostly it was just gradually going up. The rock formations were very cool! I started naming them. 

I called these “Teepee Rocks”

This is “Squirrel and friend”

It was very scenic going up through forest and meadows. 

I thought I heard a cow. It was this windmill. 

Such a variety of greens!

I called these humps “The Jugs” (my Olympia gravel riding friends will understand).

The top was Diamond Butte. 

Diamond Butte

Then it was down (more so than the up had been)

The colors were really this vibrant!

Sadly, the red rock gravel came to an end, and I turned on to a plain ol’ gravel road. Actually, for awhile, it was horrible. I followed Ben’s tracks back and forth, looking for the smoothest part. Weirdly, after crossing a cattle grate, the gravel improved. I was in a valley with red and white striped hills on both sides.

for awhile it was cool to see. But then, the road just seemed to go on and on and on. It was 23 miles of this endless road. There was a decent breeze which sometimes was in my favor, but if nothing else, kept me cooler. 

I finally started coming to some civilization. I thought this mailbox was creative. 

I had done the last short climbs, but that wasn’t the end of the hills. It was a rollercoaster. In the last 4 miles before town, I went up and down 6 times! 

Finally I came to 212. Yes, I could have gone straight to Broadus on 212 in 44 miles instead of 72 on the gravel long way around, but it wouldn’t have been nearly as beautiful. 

Once again, there was a bike path. 

Looks pretty new. 

I’m in a motel again tonight (stupid expensive for what it is). I went to the Montana Bar and Cafe for a burger. Tonight I’m going to bed early. Two big mile days back to back have me wanting a bit more sleep tonight. I haven’t looked yet to see where I’ll go tomorrow. Hopefully there is something of a reasonable distance!