Over the Divide

To Ovando, Montana -- 58.0 miles, 11.4 mph, 2475 ft

Thirteen miles into our ride this morning, we crossed the Continental Divide. We are now officially in the West. Certainly, the scenery has changed dramatically over the last fifty miles. Gone are the treeless, rolling grasslands -- which have pretty much been with us since western Minnesota -- now replaced with pine covered mountains and winding rivers.

The good news for the ride today was that after the initial uphill slog, the rest of the day was down, at least on paper. Most of the down required pedaling against the wind and the “two uphill blips” we were told about at lunch, were definitely more like six or seven. Nevertheless, by 4:30 we were in the tiny town of Ovando where we chanced to meet Cindy and Dean outside Trixie’s Saloon.  They were actually part of a twenty-nine rider, week long, supported biking tour that had just arrived in town and suggested we camp at the school grounds with the rest of the tour.

Quick (non alcoholic) drink at Trixie's Saloon

Thankfully, the tour leader, Dave, had no problem with our “squeezing in” among the other tents. The group was just finishing up a one week Bike Montana tour and, like us, would be heading to Missoula in the morning. And, because the tour was put on by Adventure Cycling Association based in Missoula -- the organization that puts out the bike maps we've been following for the last couple weeks -- we’d have a chance to visit the office when we arrived. Given our cross country, fully supported credentials, we garnered a little bit of extra attention with the group. Luckily for Meg and me, we were offered the use of the heated showers and portable toilets. Dex and Kylie, true to form, eschewed the shower. They much preferred getting dirtly and jumping down the large piles of gravel next to the camp.