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Sunday August 18         Cycling Day 38

      Watertown Lakes Park (Alb) CANADA to St Mary (Mont) USA

Distance:  (Km). 78

Time:  4:21

Average Speed: (Km/ hr). 17.9

Ascent:  (m). 1038

Heart Rate: (beats / min). 111

Cumulative Distance:   (km). 4220

Cumulative Ascent :  (m) 36,396

Punctures so far : 1

Well, I’ve broken through the 4000 km barrier. That actually happened yesterday. Nearly there.

A dry night last night for a change and I packed a dry tent this morning....much easier. But in the early hours a strong wind started to blow down the valley from the lake (the US side). I only wished it wouldn’t bring rain. Some had difficulty in controlling the tent during take-down.

Nice hot breakfast outdoors but we were advised to consume all fruit as it couldn’t be brought over the border.....a common requirement.

So today was border crossing day, the only border crossing for me. It has taken us over 6 weeks to come down through Canada....4174km. At Riders Meeting last evening the procedure and expectations were made clear.

Ready to leave.

All had left camp by 8 to retrace those 10 km into Watertown Lakes of yesterday. But this time we had the wind in our backs and I stuck to the road rather than the cycle track. Today’s route was in the shape of a hook and we had this tailwind on the short side. Reality would kick in later. As I rode along I surmised if there was an equally strong wind in Croke Park. The sight across the lake was every bit as beautiful as yesterday. And to think that Watertown was almost totally devastated last year with the combination of a forest fire and that wind typical of here.

Looking back.

Mount Dungarvan.

After 10 km swung to the right onto Highway 6 and straight into a stiff climb of 7 km at 5% gradient to be followed by further climbing at less strenuous gradient. Now it was a side wind but were protected by the trees. Right up to the border post of Chief Mountain at 32 km it was up, up, up. At one viewpoint I had a look back at Watertown and its surrounding peaks. And an information board gave the location of Dungarvan Peak.

Generally today was stiff on climbing, just 78 km but over 1000 m of ascent. Tougher than I’d get on a typical Sunday cycle at home. At the border post we had just half of today’s climb completed.

Chief Mountain in background.

Border procedure didn’t take too long and followed the usual protocol at airports.....presentation of passport and ESTA, right hand on screen, left hand, look at the camera, couple of innocuous queries, stamp the passport and an exit slip. But I also had to pay $6 for something or other. Whole process over in less than 10 mins. So different to Central Asia.

So now into the US and the State of Montana. The climbing continued on and on. I did notice that the quality of the roads changed...lots more of patchwork repairs with resulting ramps. Still warnings about bears and wildlife ....and cattle. 

Between the trees it was open range and I did come across cows and calves grazing the long acre. Just one deer was waiting for me on the crest of one rise.

Is it a sign?

Montana is the Big Sky state ( today and this evening it’s the Big Wind state!) and has a population of 1 million despite its size. It’s pretty evenly divided between the Rockies (west) and prairie(east). Gold was discovered in Montana in 1862 but it was silver that attracted adventurers to the likes of Butte. I noted the blue and gold on the Montana flag and took it as an indication which flag would be standing longest in Croke Park.

Chief Mountain...from the other side.

We’re into good scenery again and I hope it lasts. I’ve had my fill of long dreary roads over prairie or other. Chief Mountain towered over us as we approached the border and after that we circled around it as we turned south.

At 55 km I turned right onto Highway 89 and into the teeth of the wind. It did up the effort and downed the progress. The only consoling factor was that there was only 23 km remaining of today’s total.

Lunch at the village of Baab was a relief and from here on the scenery also improved.

I arrived into camp at 1 pm in sunshine. Being dry made erecting the tent easier but the wind was another factor to consider, but the location is ‘awesome’

Still didn’t know the result of the match. No cell service for the mobile. But I discovered that ther was WiFi up at reception (password: grizlybear) and I hightailed it up to receive the good news. My premonition had been spot-on. Well done Tipp.

Being a short day there’s a chance to relax and recover and shower. In at 1, Riders Meeting at 6. Another two short days to come.

Thank God for the health and thank God for the energy.