To our viewers

Today, the 24th of July, we are sitting at a cafe in the geographic center of North America. The past week has envoled alot of hard cycling as we are trying to make it to Fargo for Hank's 21st birthday. It is becoming to ride the miles we need to and keep the blog updated daily. So this message is to let our viewers know that we will have the blog completly updated on the 29th of July. Check back then!!!

Day 30 TAILWINDS!!!

We spent the night at a RV Park inside Cut Bank, Montana. The sites were covered by large rocks which made great wind barriers. We orginally planned to ride hard today, but once smelling and looking at our sweat and dirt coverd chamious we were tempted into using the laundry facilites. We changed our destitation to Shelby, a quick 25 miles with a nice 10-15 mph tailwinds to push us there. With clean clothes...well, clean for a good hour before we sweat them out agian, we started the days ride. Finally having a fastspeed average, we made it to town in about an hour and 15 minutes. Things were looking up and hoped that the winds would stay so we could start picking up more miles in the very flat days to come. Train after train was park on the tracks that ran along side the town of Shelby. Outside of the grocery store, we all meet up, and started towards camp for the night. Some of the sites we have stayed at are just parks, with a playground, baseball fields, and rv hookups. We cant think of anything like this back home. Setting up camp in the lawn, a older gentleman also on a tour started to talk with us. His wife was following him in a sag wagon as he attempted to conqured the Northern Tier. (Kinda wish we convienced one of the boys to follow us in a car.) 3 hours of hacky sack later, we eat some meaty sandwiches. Smoked ham, turkey, pepper roast beef, salami, onions and lettece on fresh french bread. We are starting to figure out how to eat good and cheap. Winds looking promising for a good tailwind tomorrow, we went to sleep, preparing for the trips first century tomorrow, and most of the guys first 100 miles ever.

 

MORE AMERICAN FLAG PICTURES

Day 29 Flat, plain and boring

day 29

Having already done half of maria pass yesturday we were surprised to see the summit sign after about 40 minutes of riding. Alot of construction along the way seperated our group with very large gaps. East Glacier was nothing like the tourist town of West Glacier. A resturant and grocery store sat outside of the East gate into Glacier. Kane and Donald got caught in the construction for about 30 minutes. The rest had alot of time to hide in the shade and eat as much carbs as possiable while the rest pedaled in. After a quick snack, and for Beau a quick nap we headed out towards cut bank. Slowly we noticed the trees to dwindle away, and after a small climb we descended into the plains. It was astonishing to be in the thick northwest forsets and then 5 minutes later be in the eastern Montana plains. Looking behind us we could see the mountians rising in the horizion for 20 miles intill they disapeared, farewell Glacier. In front of us we could see the road ahead for miles. With a very dramitic change in sencry it finally felt like we were making headway in our journey.

 

 

Day 28 We just want a shower

Saying goodbye to Glacier was hard, but had to be done. Going to the sun road open tomorrow, we thought about waiting, then heard that an estimated 40,000 people were to be on it, we decided to leave. One last meal at Eddie's restaraunt, we said bye to glacier, and the cute waitresses at the cafe. The sun was beaming on us as we pedeled onto highway 2, which will take us south under glacier, over Marias Pass and into East Glacier. Starting a small paceline to fight the headwinds, we rolled by the town Essex after 20 miles. Starving, sweating, and thirsty we wandered into nothing we excepted. Reminding us of Diablo, Washington the town consisited of just houses. At the end of the road we found a very cool hotel, were we filled up on water and found that we past the last grocery store intill East Glacier a mile back. Hot and exhuasted we just wanted food and a shower. Splitting into two groups, one went back to the store for dinner and the other pushed on to Marias to find the first campground with a shower. On the way to Marias, Hank, Kane and Donald spotted a waterfall off the side. Pulling over we found the Silver Stairs waterfalls. White water splashed over huge steps from 50 feet above, cascading into a small creek. Talking to the usual curious stranger confused by why we are on our bikes going across the country, we found that Beau and Evan were only a couple of miles behind us. Around this time they we stopped talking quick snapshots of Mountian Goats crossing the field. The first group reached the first campground, Devils Creek, and found from some local campers that there isnt a campground with showers for about 70 miles. Lazy, we stopped for the day, choosing to try the creek for a shower. The group reunited we one by one dipped into the ice water and scrubbed the salty sweat and dirt from ourselves. Hanging our food in a tree incase of bears, we all easly feel to sleep.

what we do when we summit a mountian pass

Day 26/27

We spent a total of three days at Glacier. Spent most of our time at the lake, playing hacky sack, and enjoying the scenery. Our first night, The park ranger came and talked to us, saying that the park host told him that we left food out when no one was around (very strict bear rules) and the next time he drove by he saw 7 people at our campsite. This was not at all true. After talking to both us and the park host, the ranger sided with us, and told us we would have to move the hiker biker the following day. We still do not know why the park host was out to get us. The next night we had a very large thunderstorm with lighting illuimating our tents. Curious Kane put on his rain gear and made the trip out to the lake. He told us that the mountains were completly covered with clouads and that the lighenting was spectacular. Overall we loved the park. Unfortnatly the Going to the Sun Road was closed, and we had to re-route our way south around it. But it did take away a huge hill we would have to climb at 3 am because cyclist are not allowed on the road from 11am to 4pm. After lots of food, ice cream and coffe, we deicided that it was time for us to leave. We will everything we left out the pictures below. We will miss glacier dearly.

Day 25 GOING TO THE SUN ON KANE'S BIRTHDAY

Today is Kane's 21st birthday. His passport had arrived, and the campsites at Glacier had just opened. Hank and evan got up early and left to Glacier to make sure we got a prime spot at Apgar Campground. Which sits right on lake Mc Donald. The rest of the boys went to the post office to get kane's passport, and then rode to meet us. The ride was a easy 15 miles, with a o.k shoulder on and off. Climbing up a hill, we descended into west glacier, were the mountains stared down on us. They are so huge!! At the west entrance, we paid the 12 dollar entrance fee. A beatiful bike path lead us to the campground through thick ceders. Staking in our tents we went to check out the lake. Rolling into Apgar village we were shocked, there was a town inside the campground. A restaraunt, esspresso shop, ice cream shop, grocery store and three gift shops. It was a mad house with tourist every where. Weaving through the mass of people we made it the lake and stood in awe. The mountains are amazing, the lake sits at the bottom of large towering snow covered mountains. Just look at the pictures, it was amazing. With the rest of the boys arriving, we began to celebrate Kane's birthday, with a couplke of beers and chilli dogs. A great way to start our adventure in Glacier.
                                                

Day 23/24

Kane and Hank had thier passports sent to the genreal delivery at columbia falls, 10 miles east of white fish.Stopping at sallys for some food, we soon were procrasting with an american flag that a lady had given us. Posing with it in any way possiable we realizing that we had been playing with the American Flag for about an hour. so we headed off. A quick stop at a sporting goods store, we looked around and didnt see Kane or Donald. Turns out Kane got another flat. All of our flats have been due to staples in the road. We have no clue as to why so many staples are out in the road, other than to piss off cyclists. A left turn onto highway 40 from whitefish and we had our first view of the magnificent Glacier Park mountains. Monsterous white tipped mountains rose from the horizion. Intimedating and beautiful in so many ways. We have finally made it to Glacier. Columbia falls sits 20 miles from the beggining of Going to the Sun Road. Kane's passport was still a couple days behind from the choas of fourth of july. We had to stay the night in glacier, and found a nice rv park on the foothills of Glacier. Surrounded by Rv's and tipies, we settled in, and so did the rainclouds. Out in the distance we spotted thich, heavy, and dark clouds rolling towards us. Soon large bolts of lighting lit the sky followed by a mad ferious clapps of thunder. Rushing into the motel lobby, we waited it out. With the rain reciding, we headed back to our camp to finish the night.          
Waking in the morning we called the post office and found that the passport still had not arrived. Being forced into taking another rest day, (we didnt complain) we stayed at the rv park once agian. Strolling through town for a while we visited a book store, and a stayed at a coffe shop for a long time. Spending a little bit of our beer fund, we headed back to camp to play some hacky sack, read, and dip into the hot tub. Another dinner of "stirred" rice and off to sleep we were hoping that Kane's parcel had arrived so we could enter Glacier.

DAY 22

Off to WhiteFish early in the morning. Today didnt have nearly as many rollers as the day before, but made up for it in a really really bad shoulder. With just the white line, cracked and surrounded by potholes the road was the wrost we have encountered yet. Having to ride into the ditch to get a drink off water, and sometimes having ride into the middle of road to avoid what would be a nasty crash we slowly rolled into whitefish. All gathering at a small coffee shop, Evan and Hank rolled across the street to the bike shop to get our bottom brackets and headsets tightend. The shop was packed. Ten bikes all from bicycle tourist filled thier stands. Turns out they all came in today. Luckly sneaking our quick fixes into the scheduel, we had to only wait about 2 hours. Unloading our gear and walking into the downtown we found Whitefish to be a really cool little town. Like most of the towns we have been visiting the downtown was just a street. Finding a great little deli called "Sally's" we sat down set up our mess of cords and electronics and began sucking up thier power. wondering through town, we ventured through bookstores, gift shops and more cafes. The sun began to set as we finsihed a couple days on the blog. Picking up our bikes right as they began to close the headed towards White fish Lake to camp for the night. Following our Iphone, we soon ended pushing our bikes up a grass hill and on to some railroad tracks. Seeing our destenation we pushed on. Hearing a faint rumble and vibration below us, and then the final "ding ding ding" warning of a on coming train we rushed off the tracks. The train speen past us, something none of has expierenced. Pushing on through the loose gravel we made it to the road. We now can add something us to our list of stuff most of the population has never done; push a fully loaded touring bike along railroad tracks. Riding into the camp we found that it was. Asking if there is anything we can do, the park host made a deal with us. Two of us could stay in the hiker biker, and the others were to stay in a campground occupied only by a trailer. Worked for us, and we only had the pay for two people. We are finding a lot of kindness and good fourtone of being on a bike. Down at camp we meet a couple other bikers. One, a Lady from Holland, was touring the states from her first time. Stating she was pedeled the distance to the moon and around every contient beside the u.s.a. Being 60 years old, it was quite a feat. A dip in the lake, which was a lot warmer than the river, we washed off and headed to bed after some good old fried rice. A recipe from Lucky srike, not really fried, more of a stirred rice.

DAY 21

No food in the morning makes for a really quick pack up. Looking at our map we had quite awhile before we a store. A while being 50 miles. Counting the miles we also counted our cliff bars. Roller after roller, we climbed than descended, climbed and descended. The view was beautiful, riding along Lake Koocanusa that was tucked on the valley of large mountains littered with massive evergreens. Red tailed hawks and brown eagles flew over head, something you wouldnt pay to much attention to inside of a car. Reaching Rexford, a town 6 miles before Eureka, Hank stopped waiting for the guys to catch up. Evan and Donald pulling in not to far behind, we sat baking in the sun and munching on the last of our food. A car pulled up and and asked if we were hot. I think the sweat we were drenched in spoke for its self. Smiling he threw us three hagen doz ice cream bars. Our gaurdain angle drove off. Everyone meeting back toegther we made the last 6 miles to Eureka, were we found a nice cafe right intown. We all ordered the "Late for breakfast" burrito, and chugged coffee. Three bikers walked in and started to mingle with us. They were riding a sligthly modified Great parks Northwest route. Starting from Prince Rubert in Cananda and heading south into Glacier Nation Park. One the rode for 18 days, they had enough of the bohemian lifestly of a bicycle tourist. Leaving Eureka we would see them agian at North Dickey Lake Campground 16 miles east. At the campground we caculated our just how much elevation we had climbed. At 4500 feet climbed, it turned out we had ascended more than on Washington pass.

Day 20 Fourth of July

Out of the rv park early, we road through Libby and hit the beautiful country of western montana, pedaling closer and closer to Glacier National Park. A constesnt explosion of fireworks last night had us a little worried that sleep would come hard once agian. Also worried that camping would be full at the site we planned to sleep at, we made the decision to pull over at the first camp site to insure we had a spot. 17 miles down the road we found just that. A small primitive campsite sitting right on the river. Profusely sweating after a mean game of hacky sack, we decided to run down the dock and jump into the creek. Bad descision. Jumping into the water, we instantly started screaming. The ice cold water numbed our bodies in a matter of a couple of seconds. Not wanting to re-enter the water, we dried out in the sun on the dock, washed our clothes in the river, and swatted flies away. Talking amongst eachother we decided that we need a video taken of all of us jumping off the dock. Evan set up his camera on the railing to the talk. Getting in our "ginyu force" position we started the video. First striking a pose and then running into the water. Once out, we looked up at the railing and saw the camera wasnt there anymore. We had knocked it off into the water. (Later on we found that camera had lost the video all toethger as well) Putting the camera in a sack of rice hoping the grains would absorb some of the mositure, we headed back to camp to finish forth of july.

Day 20 pictures

day 20 picture

day 20 pictures

DAY 19

A short but beautiful ride of about 40 miles from Bad Medicine to a town by the name of Libby. Decent in size with a population of about 2000, considering the past towns we've been through have only had a couple hundred, was a quick stay. The ride itself was great, nice and laid back nestled between the rockies with great weather as well. Our first stop was at a small diner called Little Joe's to grab a quick bite and after a couple burgers, a hot dog, and a delicious frozen corndog, once again we were started to doze off the front patio. Eventually gathering the strength from such a pain staking day we hit the road. With a "tourist viewpoint" sign in the distance we decided to make our next stop at Kootenai Falls. An awesome viewpoint of the waterfalls that ran along the Kootenai Lake. We made a short hike to the falls then to the swinging bridge where it consisted of rope and planks of wood that ran across the falls with a 60 ft drop below. Though secure it seemed as if it could of broke at any second...Kane's bigfoot impression did not help...Beau almost crying from fright did. Hitting the road once again we made it to Libby soon after with no troubles finding a campground. Across from our campsite, a couple of loaded bikes leant agianst a tree. A car held one on a roof rack, a couple of teens, two girls, and an older gentleman sat talking. Confused by this we deciding to investagte. The two girls were riding together, the car belonged to the teens, and the man meet the girls on the ride. One of the girls had injured her knee, and was riding in the car with her friends. The other girl was tagging along the man for company on the long days. they were hitting around 130 miles the next day, needless to say we felt like whimps. The guy was a extremly huge talker, one word about his surly and off he went, explaining how he switched and built the wheels himself after doing ride down the pacific coast, because he has gotten old and needed larger luxery which added more weight...and you get the picture. After a while we found out that he was just travleing to Glacier. The girls were doing the exact route we were. With a short time frame, they were pushing miles out hard. They have a website called bikesforbetter.org exchanging cards, we quickly looked thiersa up. They were riding to riase money for a donation, and nice website with alot of time spent in designing it. We then looked at ours in comparision. A little embrassed, we laughed over how there donate button went towards a greater cause, and ours went towards a six pack. (we have only used on food so far). Laughed over our ginyu poses, versues thier pictures voluneeteing in third would countires. We have come to notice that every biker we have meet travel at diffrents speeds, with different luxieres, for different reasons, but it always dwindles down to that we all are drawn to this adventure from the beauty that only a bike let you see, and the tranquilty it gives as you travel the country in a very self freeing way.

DAY 18

The mission doesnt have bible study on Saturdays, and breakfast if served at 8 am instead of 6:15. Our last meal at the mission, was a delicous biscuits and gravy. Changing out of our pj's that im sure we dearly miss, we got into skin tight lycra, uncomfortable shoes, and jerseys that still smnelt dispite multiable laundry runs. Slower than usual, we loaded our bikes with our 50 pound bags. Saying our thanks and farewells we hit the road once agian. Even though we throughly joined the vacation from riding day in and day out, we were happy to have our rubber on the pavement once agian. Riding along Pend Oriele lake and river was beautiful. The shoulders were decent enough, and heat not dehydrating. 30 miles into our ride, we rode into the small town of Clark Fork, a population of 530 people. This was the town that Hank lived in for a year a while back. Once in sight he started sprinting into town with excitment. The town was completly different. The bike shop once there, now was a realty office. Spotting a fair happeneing in the high school field we all took a small break and wandered in. Unfortantly Hank didnt spot anyone he recognized from 5 years ago, but the we did spot some ice cream. After a hour of walking in circles we hit the rode agian. The secenry was amazing, the road curved through the vally of large mountains covered in huge Evergreen's. Entering our third state of the trip, we crossed the Idaho boarder into Montana. Even though Idaho was only 70 miles long, it still was a reason to stop for another ginyu force pose. Also another reason to proud that we have made it this far. Riding along Bull river for 15 miles we found the campground we planned to camp at for the night, Bad Medicine campground. 2 miles to the campground we found a sign stating the campground was full. Hopeing there was a Hiker/biker site, we found the park host and asked if there was one. Unforntantly the whole canpground was filled due to 4th of July weekend. Recommending a trail off the highway by a bridge that crosses bull river, was a place we could set up. Filling up our water bottles we remounted and back tracked to what would be the best campsite we have had yet. Sitting right on the river, the steady flow of water made for nice background noise as we slipped into sleep. A great finish for a nice first day back on the road.

DAY 16 & 17 rest, relaxation, and bible study

Since both of these days were rest days in Sandpoint, we will be combining them in one post. Breakfast was served at 6:15 every morning. In our pajama's we would crawl from bed and devour the food Carl prepared for us. On day 16 we had our first bible study. With all of the staff knowing that we didnt put any real focus towards God, the employs were kind into not pushing christanity to hard onto us. Talking about Corky's (the director for the mission) and Bob's past, and how they meet Jesus, ended the preaching part of bible study and moved into the singing. We actually got pretty into the singing, consisting of amazing grace and other songs some of us were kinda fimilar with from past church expierences. Going into town, we saw the new Transformers movie, which wasnt to great. Kane got his new wheel from downtown, and before we knew it, the 7pm curfew was right around the corner. The next morning, Hank went for a morning ride up Mount Swietzer, and the guys went to another bible study. These couple days, were nice for relaxation, but soon our legs were itching to get back on the bike. We ended up really enjoying the mission. The staff were kind and great company. We are greatful for letting us stay there with them. The conversation, food, showers and beds were amazing. We hope some time in the future we will be able wear those pajamas agian.