Riding Into Montana With Uncertainty
Yesterday afternoon we waited in Williston, ND for strong head winds to subside and after nightfall we cycled 21 miles west to the Montana stateline. Having rode to the stateline in the darkness, we awoke this morning at dawn to explore our surroundings and at once we heard howling winds and saw a desolate and barren landscape, which extended to the horizon in all directions. The only signs of civilization in the area were the stateline casino we camped behind and the passing road.
We hoped to start riding before the head winds picked up, but we were too late. By early morning the winds were already blowing at 30-40 mph and for 3 gruelling hours we pedaled into the wind and barely reached the next town 14 miles away. Exhausted, we decided to sleep through the afternoon and continue riding in the evening. Fortunately the winds subsided in the evening and we were able to cover some decent ground after nightfall.
Even still, our first day in Montana punished us and left us with a feeling of uncertainty as we consider the possibility of facing relentless head winds on the high plains for the next 500 miles. To add to our concern, we are now nearly two weeks behind schedule and we are now in a race to get through the Rockies and the Cascade Mountains of Washington State before first snow fall . . .
Day 68 Recap: Montana Stateline to Poplar, MT (63 miles)
We hoped to start riding before the head winds picked up, but we were too late. By early morning the winds were already blowing at 30-40 mph and for 3 gruelling hours we pedaled into the wind and barely reached the next town 14 miles away. Exhausted, we decided to sleep through the afternoon and continue riding in the evening. Fortunately the winds subsided in the evening and we were able to cover some decent ground after nightfall.
Even still, our first day in Montana punished us and left us with a feeling of uncertainty as we consider the possibility of facing relentless head winds on the high plains for the next 500 miles. To add to our concern, we are now nearly two weeks behind schedule and we are now in a race to get through the Rockies and the Cascade Mountains of Washington State before first snow fall . . .
Day 68 Recap: Montana Stateline to Poplar, MT (63 miles)
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