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Thursday August 22         Cycling Day 41

      Kalispell (Mont) to Seeley Lake (Mont)

Distance:  (Km). 146

Time:  6:04

Average Speed: (Km/ hr). 24.0

Ascent:  (m). 841

Heart Rate: (beats / min). 122

Cumulative Distance:   (km).  4524

Cumulative Ascent :  (m). 38,494

Punctures so far : 2

Back on the road for a 3 day stint. RidersMeeting at 7 in the motel carpark and it was a mild morning; everyone with bare legs this morning although there was a chance of rain in the evening.

Out on to busy Highway 93 to leave Kalispell as the early morning rush was coming against us. 

After 11 km a left turn to face the morning sun trying to break through. Once over the Flathead River we picked up Highway 83 in order to go down the eastern side of Flathead Lake although we didn’t actually see it at any stage. Traffic had dropped off but little or no hard shoulder along this road.

I had put on a new chain on the Rest Day but it seemed to be causing problems. When I used the middle chainring (I have three on the front) the chain was slipping now and again. At first I didn’t know whether the problem was with the chainrings or with the cassette at the back. By trial and error along the way I was satisfied that the middle chainring was at the heart of the problem. As a result I concentrated on using either the big ring or the small one on the hills (not many of those today). By the end of the day the chain had bedded in to the middle ring and all seems to be in order at the moment. Fingers crossed!

Highway 83 had plenty of dwellings along its course judging by the large number of mailboxes. And a few shops also which attracted some of our cyclists. Coke stops are regularly included on the route notes given to us.

At lunch stop I thought I had run in to a fellow Gael. No, that John (USA) who joined us in Banff and he purchased this shirt online.

Today’s route was devoid of scenic interest and I only stopped to have a quick snack at 50km and at 120km. Got the odd glimpse of Swan Lake as we cycled by it for a short period.

 Also cycled through the village of Condon where you can purchase your own log cabin. Again couldn’t but notice the large number of church buildings of every conceivable denomination. 

I cycled fast today as a result of no stops and using the large chainring more than usual. I passed people I don’t usually pass and I arrived in camp at 2pm after 146 km. Not a bad day’s work.

The campground is in Seeley village (don’t see the lake) and a rather basic one. Got the tent set up on grass (my preference) and went for a wander up the village. Just a few shops on either side of the highway. Got a can of Coke and the cashier gave me the exact change. She said they’re a bit behind here in US with the rounding concept.

An the way back as I was enjoying my cool Coke a mighty black cloud hovered above and started to shed it load on our campground. I had to run to get the washing in off the line. So the forecast was right. It rained for 30 mins and all dry now again.

But the day isn’t over yet.

Today was a matter of just moving further down the road. But I still enjoyed it.

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