Today we cycled from the Spring Creek Campground to Angler’s Roost RV Park close to Hamilton. The day started with sun and dark clouds, which changed to blue skies with a few clouds, and later to very threatening clouds, followed by rain showers and lightning, and finished with threatening clouds and some light rainfall. We cycled on paved roads all day.
Riding statistics: on Sunday June 9, 2024, the 32nd day on the Western Wildlands Route route, it took 12:16h (07:46h moving time), between 06:57 and 19:13, to cover 137 km (85 miles), including 1235 m (4052 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 18 km/h (11 mph). During today's ride the average temperature was 26 °C (82 °F) with a minimum of 12 °C (54 °F) and a maximum of 42 °C (114 °F).
Totals: So far, it took 9 days, 21 hours, 18 minutes and 37 seconds of cycling time to cover 3382 km (2102 miles), including 37771 m (123927 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 14.5 km/h (9 mph).
The morning seemed promising from within my tent. However it turned out to be a little sunshine only, and primarily darker clouds. But it was warm, also the night. We got ourselves ready and started today’s ride. Since we could not access the pass on the original route, we detoured to North Fork. An intersection with highway 93, and a gas station with small store. We bought some snacks, food, and drinks for the rest of the day since we would need all day to get to Darby, where there are services.
Leaving North Fork on Highway 93 in northern direction. Although we were not able to climb to a pass on the original route, we still had to make the elevation height on this alternative route. Over 1000m, but now over a distance of 30+ kilometer, and on a paved road. Much easier than 1500+ meters of elevation in 20km on probably roads in worse conditions. The last part of our climb was the most steepest. You know that when the switchbacks start to appear.
When we arrived at the top, we also entered Montana. Took our pictures at the signs, and met another cyclist. He was touring from Washington state to Carolina. Just started and still a long way to go. At the top were also ski facilities. But there was no snow anymore.
Continuing our ride with a downhill, which was not as long as our way up. But I still enjoyed it. My back is so good in freewheeling that I hardly have to pedal on downhills.
A while later we entered something very small, named Sula. I saw a gas station and wanted to go for an ice cream. Unfortunately the shop was closed. We had to continue without a cold snack.
We continued cycling and eventually arrived at Darby, a small mountain town, with a historical looking section. It looked nice. We went to the grocery store to get some snacks, drinks, and food for dinner since it was already around 5pm. And, we had to wait out a rain shower, which would take about an hour. We also got some rain before Darby, but not enough to get any rain gear on. Lucky us, light rain before Darby, and having good cover during the rain shower in Darby. I checked where we could sleep, and found a good reviewed RV Park 20km ahead. In Darby there was no RV Park with tent sites, and motel rooms start at 200 dollars. During dinner, there was a guy playing on his guitar to get some money. He asked for our home country and what we have been riding. I loved the music during my dinner, and give him some dollars. I sat next to him and asked him to tell something about himself. He originally came from this area, but left for a while to hitchhike cross country. When he came back he saved some money and bought and very old RV. Of course having costs money, and repairing it frequently costs even more. I think more than he could afford. Now he went from gas station to gas station to play music, earn some money, and get food and gas (and beer).
When the rain stopped we cycled the remaining 20km to Antler’s Roost RV Park. I hope there would still be someone to have us checked in. We arrived at 18:55 and they closed at 19:00. That is timing. We setup camp, did laundry, showered, and got some rest.
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