Our ride today covered 107 miles from Olney to Libby, Montana. We also confirmed that summer has officially finally arrived in Montana. It reached a high of 92 degrees F this afternoon after starting out a chilly 54 degrees. You might be interested in how bikers handle this because there is a huge difference between 54 degrees and 92 degrees, particularly when riding at 15-20mph. This morning I started with a normal short sleeve biker shirt and biker shorts. I added a sleeve to each arm. When the temperature got to around 62, I took off the sleeves and put them in a back pocket of the biker shirt. Last Monday when it started at 48 degrees with winds of 10mph and threat of potential rain, I added a Gore weatherproof jacket and stockings for each leg that go on like garter hose. 🙂 At 62 plus or minus degrees I took both the stockings off and the Gore jacket and the sleeves on each arm and put all that in the back of my biker shirt. Basically, we dress in layers. Each of us is different. Craig tends to be more sensitive to the cold. Alan and I probably a bit less, but we just have to know our own bodies and dress appropriately.

Our route today took us to Eureka, Montana which was about 50 miles or so from the Canadian border. After a mid-morning second breakfast for me of scrambled eggs, bacon and cheese on a bun, we dipped south and west along Lake Koocanusa, another beautiful glacier lake. Montana state route 93 runs along the southwestern boundary of Lake Koocanusa for almost 50 miles with only one place to stop to get water. We were grateful because the two water bottles each of us carries were just about empty. Correction: Craig carries three as he sweats more than Alan and I, although we all sweat. Lisa and Sheryl will vouch for that when they pick us up at the end of day. 🙂 The picture below was taken at the Libby Dam at the southwestern end of the lake looking northeast. Notice the mountains along the lake and in the background. Trust me, we meandered alongside all of them getting to the Dam.

This is a picture of the Dam outfall and the Koocanusa River heading downstream to Libby.

The locals told us that the Lake is great for fishing with indigenous salmon, cutthroat and bull trout. The lakes and streams all along our trek from New Hampshire have been calling our names to “Come fish me!” The fisherman among you, having seen what we have seen, would conclude we don’t have our priorities straight.

This ride was beautiful, but more taxing than I expected because we kept going down 300 feet in elevation only to go back up 300 feet in elevation most of the way along the lake. Craig just informed me we had 4340 feet of elevation gain today. I certainly did not expect that much when we left this morning. At some points along the way our perception was that we should be going down, but our legs and the necessary gear changes told us we were going up. Indeed our GPS confirmed we were going up. That can be a bit demoralizing at times, but we pedaled onward. We noticed on the northern end of the lake some significant rock outcroppings with cars parked near them and rock climbers out in full force. I asked Alan if he wanted to stop and get some tips while we were riding. His quick retort was: “No, that sport is for young, slender guys.” Actually, my brother is getting slimmer on this trip. 🙂 We found out later that this was the best spot for rock climbers in the State of Montana.

At the end of this day we have biked 2940 miles and have 482 miles to go. Westward Ho we go and on to Sandpoint, Idaho tomorrow!