Montana on My Mind

I recently took a little excursion to the Big Sky state and my, what an adventure it was! Adventure, in the bad sense of the word, began just three hours into my journey. I was once again traveling on a Greyhound bus to save money and the connection in Kalamazoo, Michigan was late so I missed my bus in Chicago. That meant a night spent sleeping in the bus station, a disgusting meal voucher breakfast, and an additional seven hours of layovers in other locations. I was frustrated to miss a whole day with my Missoula friend, but I made it there and we headed for the bars. This town likes to drink and in a town with four microbrews that’s a good thing.
The next day we had breakfast a local joint and then headed out for some cross-country skiing. Now I’m not a skier, but I’ve played around a bit on skis so I was barely able to keep up with my friend. That night we soaked our sore muscles while enjoying the stars and subfreezing temps. Unfortunately the next day I was feeling well so we laid low and stayed in town.
Tuesday I was feeling better and so we followed the route of the Lewis and Clark Expedition over Lolo Pass to some natural hot springs in Idaho. It was so relaxing and beautiful, surrounded by densely forested mountains covered in snow, enjoying it from the comfort of warm pools. Leaving behind the warmth and the beauty we headed for an old school house after stopping in at the brewery in Stevensville. Sitting beside the warmth of wood blaze we talked a lot. The next day it was back to Missoula and then on to the mining mecca of Butte, via the scenic route. We stopped to sample some local food and view the Berkeley Pit, the well-know ‘big pit’ of Ivan Doig’s historical novel. Late afternoon we continued down to Bozeman, where we found another bar and met up with some fine folks that my friend knew. My last day was spent hiking uncrowded Yellowstone and soaking in the Burning River. Back at the house we cooked up some fine pizza... and then I was back on the bus.

It was an awesome and significant adventure! I’ve been to many beautiful places in my wanderings, but there are a few places that really stand out. Montana is certainly one of those places. There is simply something about the big emptiness, the way the golden grass shines in the sunlight, the rolling hills and jagged mountains that excite the senses and stirs something inside of me. One way to describe Montana is to describe it like a beautiful woman. The blue sky mirrors her captivating eyes, the grass is like fine golden hair, and the terrain that dips and soars traces the sensuous form of her curvature. But really, it’s hard to describe…I just know I love it!

Thanks friend ;-)

Idaho hot springs

Butte

From Yellowstone NP

Mammoth Hot Springs

Beauty

One Journey Ends

The weather for the last week was reasonably warm and the skies were sunny. Cycling thru Ontario, Canada was an excellent choice as the farmfields were much nicer than riding thru the armpit of industrial Ohio around Lake Erie. Passing thru customs in Marine City, MI was a breeze, but the next day I had to navigate around the Detroit suburbs. Everything went fairly well to begin with; when a road got too busy I simply found a backroad. Although the dirt backroads had less traffic my cursing at the bumps was loud and constant. By mid-afternoon I had reached Pontiac and thought I was in the clear. Unfortunately as I road southwest there was not a road that wasn't crowded with suburban commuters burning fossil fuels.

I finally reached Island Lake State Recreation Area where my brother Mark drove out to meet me. We had good food, cold brews, and a nice fire to celebrate my last night on the road.  The next morning a heavy frost covered the ground and by eleven it was finally warm enough to ride. I set out and traffic was much more pleasant, but the wind was not giving me a pass on my last day. Mark road out to complete the last few miles with me. My cadence was smooth and my tires kept rolling forward. Soon I was climbing the last hill and taking a right onto Hickman Road. For weeks I have been thinking about the end of this ride. At the finish I simply road into the driveway, hugged Mom, took a few photos and went inside for lots of chocolate chip cookies.

Now, this being a milestone one may wonder what thoughts or conclusions I have from my journey. If my reader is expecting some grand epiphany I am sorry to disappoint. This journey was long, but not particularly difficult. I was just doing what came naturally and on the open road enjoying myself.  I've seen some beautiful places, met some wonderful people, and gathered some memories. As the journey progressed I've grown older and learned a few things, yet am still puzzled by many of life's complexities. Life's a journey and this was just part of it. There are still many backroads yet to be explored and I do enjoy riding my bike...

Ontario cornfields

Sombra, Ontario and the St.Claire River

Morning frost

September 11, 2001

November 5, 2011

White, Green, and Beyond!

Well, I posted the last blog in Maine, so that is where I shall begin. My two days on the Maine coast were very nice. There is something about the sound of waves on surf that allow one peace and thought. It would comprise my only day rest day of the trip. After leaving Westport Beach I cycled to Freeport and visited the world headquarters of L.L. Bean. They had some tempting gear, but as I did not want to carry it I only bought a needed canister of fuel. Soon after Freeport I turned left and head to the West and home.
That evening I met a 'road angel' in Turner Center who provided me with a warm place to stay, laundry (this was much needed!), shower, and the best breakfast of the whole trip. It was most excellent! From their house I cycled into New Hampshire's White Mountains along the Kancamagus Highway. I cycled up to the tour's highpoint just below 3,000 feet and then cruised down into the ski town of Lincoln. Then it was more short steep climbs for the rest of the day. Then the following two days were nice and sunny as I cycled the quite backroads of Vermont's Green Mountains. Straight from the Green Mountains I entered the Adirondacks of New York. Since it was a state forest I was expecting lots of public land, but a fair amount along the roadside was private and posted. This is also where winter caught up with me. Temperatures dropped near freezing and rain was falling. It was survival and each little town became an oasis and place to warm up. I was surrounded by mountains, but the rainy mist kept them hidden. I cycled hard for lower elevations and in three days was on the shores of Lake Ontario. This is where the hills became endless and really exhausted me. I got a room in a flophouse in Wolcott, did laundry, and had a wonderful pizza from a local pizzeria. The last few days have been difficult, but I am exiting the mountains knowing that I've got some powerful legs to put to use.
Palmyra, New York was really nice. Here I joined the flat multi-use path along the historic Erie Canal and also saw some sights around Hill Cumorah of Latter Day Saint notoriety (it's where Joseph Smith got the plates and had other religious experiences). I was cycling three days in beautiful weather along the quite banks of the canal before entering Canada at Niagara Falls. Here I stayed in a hostel and the next morning visited the Falls. Then the ride across the farmlands of Ontario commenced. 200 miles in three days along nice quite roads. It's great weather and excellent cycling!

Fall colors along the Erie Canal

American Falls from Niagara Falls, Canada

At the Falls

Ontario Farm

Maine and the Atlantic!

Well, I made it to Maine, Wells Beach to be exact. I've never been to Maine so I'm very excited, especially not having seen the Atlantic Ocean since my 2009 bike tour thru Jacksonville, Florida. I splurged on an oceanfront motel with off-season rates and even braved the seafood. Unfortunately, although I keep trying, I don't really like seafood.
To continue my last post; the rest of New York was pleasant. I took the time to stop at Franklin D. Roosevelt's home in Hyde Park. Not knowing much about him it inspired me to do some reading on this important president and Eleanor.
The next few states went by quickly. I spent two days riding thru the mountains/hills of Connecticut. Climbed one hill and ate lunch in Rhode Island (only 6.5 miles), and then had a very pleasant jaunt into Massachusetts. I really liked this state with its good roads and lots of small parks and natural areas. I'm definitely in a more outdoor oriented (and winter) environment as many more Subaru and four-wheel drive vehicles are on the roadways. New Hampshire was also quick. The roads were busier and not as well paved, but I'll give the state another chance in a few days as I begin my westward journey.
So the rain arrives here tonight. For the next day and a half I will continue riding northeast and then turn westward. The last 1,000 miles...

0-60 in Five hours...but usually more

Riding into and out of Washington D.C. was quite easy as there were bike paths most of the distance. The quiet winding paths were so pleasant I was unable to tell that around me was a huge metropolitan area. Camp the first night was in a state game area beside an old stone wall. Into Maryland the next day I found the hills began well before Pennsylvania, but I survived. The next day was once again in pleasant weather and I stopped at a campground where they were having "prom night". I didn't have a tuxedo, but they still gave me a fine meal of beef and potatoes; with dessert! Moving right along into Pennsylvania I did spot a few Mennonites (rollerblading, cycling, and horse and buggy). I was surprised not to see more considering how close I was to Lancaster.
I cycled thru Valley Forge National Historic Site, where the Continental Army passed a cold diseased ridden winter. There was not much left standing of the encampment, but the rolling hills were a thing of beauty. Although I was very close to Philadelphia I decided not to stop, because I don't like riding thru big cities. As it was I spent the rest of the afternoon among busy traffic that had me rushing for the outskirts. Thankfully I escaped without harm and that night camped in New Jersey.
This state was quite a surprise as the roads were quiet and the scenery was beautiful. I especially liked Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, although that is when the sunny skies finally abandoned me. Fortunately this also kept the cars at bay and I had the roads mostly to myself (some were even 'closed' due to the past natural events). Now I am in New York State, in the town of New Paltz. Tomorrow I plan to visit the Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site at Hyde Park.
So the ride goes well...although I look forward to the sun's return :-)

Cycling Full Circle

I have just returned from my first (and only) sixty-mile training ride. Considering that on Friday morning I begin a journey spanning thousands of miles I feel good. Especially when one takes into account the fact that I have not ridden my bicycle any notable distance since last November. One may figure me a bet dense, but I have found that doing something even more ridiculous next is one way to dispel that notion. Running a half-marathon with only one training run; sounds painfully ridiculous! Sure, but not when one rides a bike for the first time in almost a year and then plans to ride the equivalent of halfway across America.
Truth is I never planned to complete a circumnavigation of the United States. Back in 2001 I simply wanted to visit the Cascade Mountains in Washington State. Being lazy and not wanting to plan flights and ground transit I figured that biking from my home in Michigan would be a viable option. That first journey I made it almost through North Dakota before winter caught me out (I did prolong the trip by riding from Seattle to San Francisco). With a few tours in between I started a cycling trip in San Francisco in 2009 with my brothers, headed for Baja, Mexico. Afterwards with time on my hands I continued cycling onto Texas and then Florida. I was enjoying myself so on up to Washington D.C. I road.
Well, that was a long ride. I still hadn’t ridden to the Cascades so after a week-long break, during which time I ran the above mentioned half-marathon, I began anew in North Dakota and eventually ended my extended tour in Seattle, Washington.
So now, over ten years later I am planning to complete a bicycle tour that I never planned in the first place. The last piece of the puzzle is Washington D.C-Maine-Michigan. So with one good training ride under my belt it’s onwards….