Day 07: Red Meadow Campground to Columbia Falls

Today we rode from Red Meadow Campground, Montana, US to Columbia Falls, Montana, US. Very sunny weather with no clouds, warm at moments. Road conditions included gravel roads and paved roads. Highlights of the day include downhill from Red Meadow, scenery around Whitefish Lake, eating at a sports bar.

Riding statistics: on Sunday August 7, 2022, the 7th day on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route route, it took 06:06h (03:34h moving time), between 07:14 and 13:21, to cover 67 km (42 miles), including 419 m (1375 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 19 km/h (12 mph). During today's ride the average temperature was 20 °C (70 °F) with a minimum of 3 °C (36 °F) and a maximum of 50 °C (130 °F).

Totals: So far, it took 1 days, 19 hours, 15 minutes and 35 seconds of cycling time to cover 615 km (382 miles), including 6847 m (22465 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 14.5 km/h (9 mph).

Leaving Red Meadow Campground

As on other days, we set the alarms at 6am so we leave at 7am. Today was cold and everything was wet from the damp, really wet. The rain fly of my tent weighted four times more than normal. From the group, we were the first ones to leave the campground and start the ride to Whitefish. It was a long way down, which is good after the uphill we did yesterday at the end of the day. However, with the cold (5 degrees Celsius), shade side of the mountain, and going down, it is a bit chilly. So I had my full fingered gloves, and puffy jacket on until we were 10km before Whitefish. Only then I removed a lot of the clothing.

Whitefish

While nearing Whitefish, we had to go around Whitefish lake. Just before nearing the lake the road surface changed from (nice) gravel into pavement. Whitefish lake is a beatiful lake with incredible houses at the shore and the surrounding mountain sides. All within a pine tree forest. Even tough we were on pavement, we still had hard work. The road kept going up and down. Eventually we ended up in a main street of Whitefish. Arriving there at 9:50am, we checked for the nearest bike shop to check upon the front wheel of my riding companion. It may not be true anymore, but checking with a finger when turning the wheel it seems to be the tire, although it is fitted correct. Unfortunately the shop was closed on Sundays. Fortunately there was another, but that one opened at 11am. We decided to go for another breakfast / lunch. That also had a waiting line of about 30 minutes. We used the time to make some calls towards the family at home, always nice to hear their voices (and see their faces via a video-call, again). After breakfast we went to the other bike shop. All turned out to be OK, it is indeed a wobble in the tire itself.

Columbia Falls

After the bike shop in Whitefish we left for Columbia Falls. Not much to say. It was a short distance to ride on paved roads. Nice to see the area though. In Columbia Falls we checked-in at the local RV park for a tent site where we could pitch both tents. No problem. A bit expensive, but very good facilities. The showers were great, good laundry at site, not too expensive shop for the necessities, etc. First, cleanup. Dirty clothing in the laundry machine and dryer. And we could use a shower ourselves as well. I felt reborn after cleaning up. When waiting for the laundry we could sit on some chairs in the laundry room, and it had air conditioning, since now it was afternoon and really hot. After doing the laundry we walking into the center to do some groceries and have a burger in a local sports bar. We went into our tents not too late since we would like to get up early again.

Gallery

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