What I brought along -- Exhibit D

When one bikes on bumpy roads, gravel…well, actually, just about any time it is helpful to have gloves. They absorb shock, but also if you fall gloves protect your hands from getting torn up. I brought along regular biking gloves, as well as all-weather waterproof mittens. I’ve used them once so far on a rainy day — and they worked great. It was spectacular to get done biking for the day and not have waterlogged gloves and hands.

Wondering about the orange items here? They are newspaper bags back from the olden days when the kids were young and we had a family paper route. Thankfully I haven’t had to use these yet, but if it’s going to be a rainy or snowy day I can put my socked foot inside a newspaper bag and then my feet dont get wet even though my bike shoes get wet. Pretty slick hack, huh?

What I brought along -- Exhibit C

I had to plan for hot days and cold days — or nights. So far it’s been nearly all hot during the day (a bit cool in the rain). The nights have been chilly. Since wool is a perfect all-weather fabric, and minimizes odors, I brought smartwool short sleeved and long sleeved shirts, smartwool underwear/socks/cap, and a couple long sleeved smartwool shirts. It’s still been a challenge to stay warm at night…but I’m getting better at layering for comfort.

Dillon, MT -- Tuesday July 30-Wednesday July 31

After 56 miles and 4,100 feet of climbing over 5 hours we arrived in Dillon, MT on Tuesday afternoon. I’ve had to play around with ways to stay warm at night in my tent. Last night I tried long john, sweatpants, wool tshirt, wool sweater, wool cap - and had my down coat ready just in case. I slept warm all night!

Wednesday was a rest day. One of our trip leaders offered to drive the van to indoor and outdoor hotsprings for anyone interested. 3 of us took the hour long drive…and might I say…WORTH IT!

I got some much needed laundry done…

and even a little bike cleaning and maintenance. A good, good day!

New Map! Progress continues...Friday, July 26

We finished our first “Adventure Cycling Great Divide Route Map” in the series yesterday. The leaders handed us a new map today. I use my GPS throughout the day to navigate our route, but it’s good to have a map back up, just in case.

This was our mileage and route from Helena. “I am loving the biking. Today was really hard and incredible. I love those rides when you just want to quit, but you press on and finish. Today was the most climbing we will do in a day — 5600 feet.”

Home sweet home…

Awoke Saturday morning to this…

…and back at home Cami did her own little bit of gravel riding…and hike-a-bike…on the halfway creek trail :)

Lincoln, MT to Llama/Alpaca Ranch

I’ve been riding in a small group of 5; there’s another group of 4. Peter and I ride at about the same pace most of the time. We stopped for morning coffee on the way - taking advantage of stops like this whenever we can get them! it’s in the 90’s every day, but a coffee still hit the spot.

I had a great shower this afternoon! I must say that at this point in the trip I am really missing Cami…and today…missing a shower curtain! ha!

…and finally a proper outhouse

What a beautiful spot for a little rest…

My orange and grey tent is serving me well…even through strong winds at night. My tent poles did get a little bent though!

Swan Valley Cabins to Seeley Lake -- Catch-up post from Saturday, July 20

We have been paired up to cook meals. We have not been suffering at for good food.

Since this trip is van-supported, after breakfast we pack up our sleeping bags and tents and gear bags and toss them in the van. Our two leaders leave when we do and head to our next meet up spot - sometimes with a grocery stop in between. Then it is on to the road or trail for the day of biking…

That one’s for you, Cam!

What I brought along -- Exhibit B

I brought my faithful camelback hydration system. I wear this like a backpack. It has a flexible straw that allows me to easily drink while riding, and has a couple pouches and a zippered pocket for snacks, ID, etc. We have to carry all the water we need from morning until we are done riding for the day, so I have this and a couple water bottles on my bike — as well as a “lifestraw” water filtration system if I really got in a bad way and needed to get water from a stream or puddle.

I kind of wanted to get a new camelback but nothing fit as well as this one and there was nothing wrong with except that it had some wear and tear, and some of the stitching was coming out. Thanks to my sewing-wiz neighbor Brook for reinforcing everything for me. So thankful for that!

I love these orange running gators. I added velcro to my bike shoes so they stay in place. They keep me from getting gravel and pestersome items into my bike shoes while I’m on the trail - and perhaps add a bit of bug/tick protection.

I shopped and shopped for the right bike shoes. They needed enough flex to be able to hike-a-bike up some rocky mountain stretches and they needed enough stability and a firm base to give me support while riding. These seem to be working well. I’m also glad I brought along a pair of flipflops, and an old pair of running shoes for around camp and when going into a town. Some of my fellow bikers only have their bike shoes.

And yes, I tried to be very safe on the amtrak for the nearly 30 hours on there — and wore that black N95 mask for most of the trip. (I had to eat!)

You might also notice the reflective green band on the camelback. That’s my roadID. It has Cami and Chet’s emergency contact info. If you think it all looks a bit ragged…well…just wait for another month or two!

What I brought along -- Exhibit A

Straps — and more straps! These adjustable straps were on my list because you never know what you’ll have to strap onto your bike or person on a trip like this. I also have multiple velcro straps along.

My sun protection and cooling long sleeved shirt - it’s a funky black and white pattern. You might remember a similar shirt from my 2018 ride. I loved that shirt, but it was TRASHED!!

I’ve got two long sleeved wool shirts - one for cold biking and this red patterned one for cold nights camping. Can’t wear the damp sweaty one to bed!

Be Present...and Pay Attention to What Is Ahead

While at Whitefish Bike Retreat we did a shake down ride on Monday, July 15. This was a chance to for the leaders to gain insight into our preparedness, the group’s abilities, and to make sure all equipment was in working order before starting out.

Since sections of the GDMBR are on single track mountain bike paths we spent some time talking about how to manage those sections.

They encouraged us to work on the discipline of intentionally looking about 20-30 yards ahead, then looking about 5 yards ahead, back and forth. This intentionality amidst roots, trees and rocks on an uneven path helps the rider to be aware of current state and what is below, but always with a sense of what is ahead and how to prepare and navigate the coming bend in the road or daunting climb.

I think there’s an application there to life and faith.

It’s important to be alert and aware in the here and now, but we also need to be intentional and thoughtful to consider what is ahead. Are we noticing God’s hand at work today, and yet living in expectation and anticipation for God’s movement in the future?

The actual mountain biking skills are coming back. I used to do some mountain biking in PA and have tried out multiple trails on Granddad Bluff in La Crosse. After our leaders’ instruction, it was cool to ride some trails and experience how my body and my eyes hadn’t forgotten how to scan out, then look down, and react accordingly. I hope and pray that for you and for me - we can practice the discipline of being present and focusing on the here and now, our current location and situation, while paying attention to what is ahead as we journey together during this renewal leave season.

Packing and Pre-trip Stress

It was truly a project to find and pack all the various items for this trip. Even with months of preparation I was still ordering last minute items from Amazon with fingers crossed that the water sterilization system or that last piece of bike equipment arrived before I left. Each cyclist had to bring spare parts and tools, as not every bike shop would have the right item for the various unique bikes we had — if we were even in an area with a bike shop at all! And when it was all said and done I needed to be prepared for everything from snow to rain to mud to heat (mostly that so far!) - while keeping weight to 25 lbs per each of my two bags.

Most people had to do some sort of packing of the bicycle for the trip - whether taking off a wheel or putting it in a bike box.

Thankfully, I was able to bring my bike whole on the Amtrak, although we questioned it to the very end.

The online amtrak info states that one’s wheel must be 2inches wide or less. Mine is 2 1/4. One train station staff person on one day said “it’s up to the conductor” and another said “it will not be a problem.” We were prepared to let the air out of the tire, which would make it smaller — and also had 2 spare thin tired wheels, extra skewers, pieces of cut up tire for protecting the fork, a makeshift bike box to put the 2 1/4 inch tires in to pack them if needed — THANKS, EMILY at River Trails Cycles! — all just in case Cami and I had to do a last minute jerry-rig at the train station to comply with the 2-inch policy.

We practiced at home, but needless to say that was stressful to consider if they would tell us to do that in the moments awaiting the train’s arrival - or even worse, once the train was at the station and the conductor rejected it. But when we got there on that Thursday evening all went smoothly and the bike went into it’s home on the baggage car without a hitch.

Day to Day Schedule

So far I had cell service to send Cami a couple photos…and I called her when I was helping shop for groceries. There will be many stretches when I don’t have wifi or cell service…and Cami is the one posting these…so if a few days pass with no posts it could be because I haven’t been able to communicate with her — or maybe she’s been at work!

This gives an overview of when I’ll have a shower or even a flush toilet over the next several days…It is definitely going to be a challenge in every possible way.

I’m very humbled by how supportive folks have been and folks’ curiosity about this adventure during my renewal leave. Thanks :)

We're off!

Yesterday we did a nine mile shake down ride and camped last night as a group. It’s beautiful out here!

There were supposed to be 15 of us total with a 15 passenger van to carry our tents and gear…and a trailer for transporting our bikes tot he border…but our complete group is 9 bicyclists and 2 leaders. No matter. Today we begin the adventure! 42 miles to our destination. Let’s GO!

Train Travel Out West

On July 11 Thursday, I boarded the Amtrak with my bike to head west. A few friends met up at the train station to send me off. With Cami’s planning we had a beautiful brief “leaving service” - thanks to the model and tradition of the Transforming Center (complete with Rory Noland’s “'Til We Gather Again”).

Handing my bike up to the Amtrak staff for storage during the trip

By Friday evening this was my situation…I was supposed to arrive in Whitefish, Montana on Friday around 10pm…but I finally made it to Whitefish Bike Retreat at 3am. My bunkbed was a welcome sight.