Minnesota Mike's Ride Across America

Day 20, Monday, Sept. 11th, Stanford – Grass Range, MT, 79 miles, Total 1,258 Elevation gain 2,198

Okay, one reason for going West to East is because you get the western breeze to help push you along, right? Wrong!

Before I left Stanford I pulled in at the local cafe and had the usual, eggs, sausage, hash browns and toast. Talked with the motorcyclist that had arrived at motel same time as I did last night. They are from Indiana and headed for Banff. Nice guys. I am seeing a lot of motorcycles on the road traveling in groups. I am glad I stopped in town as the next town, Windham, had no cafe open. A lot of these towns have cafes and shops closed or not opening till later in the day.

I was surprised by the south and easterly winds. Gusts up to 25mph makes it tough going. This is when I wish I had someone to trade drafting behind. When not head on it was pushing me from the side and blowing me into the road. Still a few climbs but rewarded with downhills when I needed it. Still waiting for the westerlies to help push me along.

Went to Albertson’s to eat lunch and pick up chicken breast for dinner later tonight. Rolling hills and ascent out of Lewistown, but legs feel like they can handle it. Don’t like not having a shoulder to ride on, kinda sketchy, but Montana drivers seem to willingly move over. Even with the headwind the 79 miles today felt okay. Set up camp behind the Little Montana Truck Stop.

Set up my tent between some old mobile trailers, I am slumming it tonight. Store clerk warned me about the crazy woman and dog that lives in trailer next to me, said just ignore her. As I set up my tent I waved and smiled at her and her barking dog. Walked across street to the Wrangler Bar and spoiled myself with a ribeye dinner. We shall see if it is worth it? I find some of the scariest looking places have the best food. And, Montana did not disappoint, a great ribeye dinner.

Went up to bar to pay my dinner bill and met the most interesting rancher. Looked like he just came off the set of Yellowstone, Cowboy hat, fumanchu. Somehow, talked politics for 45 minutes. A cattle rancher with 440 cows. He asked me if I was one of those liberals. No! Ended up giving him a couple fist pumps on his political views.

Day 21, Tuesday, Sept 12th, Grass Range – Sand Springs, MT. Miles 68, Total 1,326. Elevation gain 2,142

Having breakfast at truck stop where I camped last night. Listening to the local ranchers sitting around table having their morning coffee. Chatting about their cattle and days plans. Talked with a couple of them about hay season and prices for cows. Prices are high but costs too, so no better margin for them. They need rain.

Having lunch at a rest stop just outside of Mosby, 48 miles into today’s ride. Still have an eastern headwind! Crazy! Thought I would have wind out of the west or at least the north to help push me along. This is not fair!! Very remote area. Most of the way on 200 I have no shoulder to ride on. Grasshoppers are more aggressive, I think they can see me coming and jump on my leg or in my lap.

I want this wind to change directions, I know these long straight roads heading east are not going to. Legs and body feel tired today, maybe a rest day tomorrow and do a light day.

I made it to Sand Springs, fighting the headwind. Camping on the side of a convenience store. Startled the worker as there was a sign on the locked store door that she was out back working on a camper trailer. Getting it ready to rent out to hunters. She opened the store for me and gave me shower key. Came back later for a chocolate malt and ate my 2 day old left over pizza. Owner had to leave, so told me to turn off air conditioner and lock the door behind me when I left store. Trusting folks!!

I saw my first antelope today a mom and a young one in the field. Was a tough day, lots of rolling hills and headwind. Maybe a lighter day tomorrow. Have one town before it gets desolate for 70 miles.

Day 22, Wednesday, Sept 13, Sand Springs – Circle, MT. Miles 101, Total 1,427

So much for a rest day! I did my centurion ride, 101 miles. I was thinking about a lighter day after fighting headwinds the past few days. And, going remote into few services available for next 70 miles and few towns. When I say towns that means population of maybe 300 people! I got woken up in my tent last night at 10:30pm. A strong wind storm uprooted my tent stakes on one end of my tent. I thought I was Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz!! Lasted about 45 minutes and then calm.

Yeah! The westerlies won the wind storm last night and I have a slight tailwind this is what I have been praying for! So enjoyable, I can hear my tires humming instead of wind blowing in both ears and feeling like I am in the middle of a hurricane.

Had lunch in Jordan, pop 343 at the cafe/bar. Steak sandwich and bought another chicken sandwich for wherever I end up tonight. Talked to a couple hunters. Bow season opened a couple weeks ago for elk. If tailwinds hold up I might try for Circle a town of 615, but there is a motel there. It would be a 100 mile day, but would be worth it.

I ran into about 6-7 miles of road construction. Gravel and loose rocks, had to follow a guide truck with one way traffic through stretches Very bumpy and rough going, reminded me of construction I ran into on Going to the Sun Road in Glacier.

Don’t let anyone tell you Eastern Montana is flat. Full of rolling hills, the roads are like a roller coaster in some stretches! It was a good long day. Too many hours in the saddle. Had a rain shower in the morning but have really been blesssd with good weather. I am tired after my long day.