R O A D   T R I P   T O   H E L E N A ,   M T

Thursday, July 29, 2004

The previous day's ride really wiped me out, so much so I sleep in until around 11am. As I wake I notice another sunny day greets me with open arms. So far my trip has been rain free, each day pretty much a carbon copy of the previous, sunny to partly sunny and warm. The evenings have been great as well, all have been cool enough to ensure a good night's slumber.

My initial plan was to drive all the way to Bozeman, MT but my late start forces a revision, I'll only go as far as the state's capital, Helena, MT. The capital is about 100 miles northwest of Bozeman and making that my destination effectively chops off about 2 hours from my travel time. Two rules I've adopted for this trip are, never push myself more than I have to, and to be very flexible.

The trip itself will take me back up the mountainside to Logan Pass, then down to St Mary. From there it will be predominately a southward shot all the way to Helena.

As I prepare my departure a Park Ranger pulls up alongside my van. For the longest time he just sits there in his car, luring me into thinking he has no interest in me. Boy am I wrong. Long story short, he lets me off with a warning. Earlier yesterday at the Visitor Center I had misunderstood what I was told; where I could and could not car-camp.

Time to head to Helena. As I pull onto the roadway a biker passes me by with all his belongings in tow. Every time I see a such a cyclist I feel a certain kindred connection and wonder about all the great stories he/she could tell me about their adventures.