June 29, 2018
Detour
Great Falls to Augusta
Today was supposed to be an easy 54 miles of relatively level terrain. Just the thing for my tired legs and bloated belly (I totally overdid dinner last night).
I found my way out of Great Falls and across the Missouri River on a bike/ped bridge.
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I rode along a nondescript highway to Vaughn where I is was greeted with this sign.
This road is the last 20 miles to Augusta, my planned destination.
I decided to continue on to Simms at the beginning of that last 20 mile stretch and then consider my options.
It was a pleasant enough ride into a not-too-annoying headwind.
In Simms I consulted the local gas station for information. He said a couple on bikes made it through a few days ago but could not say I’d be allowed passage over a partially washed out bridge.
We called a couple of places in Augusta but nobody was certain I could get over the bridge.
We all agreed the safe thing to do would be to ride north to Fairfield then west then south to Augusta. This would be an additional 17 miles.
Off I went into a cross wind. When I made the turn west I got clobbered with one of Montana’s soul sucking headwinds.
Whatever. It is what it is. Just keep on pedaling.
Then, unlike the original route, it got very hilly.
This went on for 15 miles then I came down off the hill. Eek!
Then up again. Then down again.
At least the view was interesting. (There was actually a road sign that said Rocky Mountains for the geographically impaired traveler.)
Fortunately the wind died down and I could ride into Augusta with relative ease.
In Augusta I checked into the Bunkhouse Inn. I was expecting a dive but this place is beautiful. Here’s the lobby.
I don’t want to leave but the restaurant across the street is calling me.
The proprietor of the Inn told me that Lincoln MT is having some festival tomorrow. Lincoln is the first town over Rogers Pass. The next one is Ovando, about 80 miles from here. Long story short: tomorrow’s going to be brutal.
Miles: 71
Total miles: 2,904.5
Today's ride: 71 miles (114 km)
Total: 2,918 miles (4,696 km)
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