Stage 11 - Glacier Nat'l Park to Great Falls - June 4

I am behind blogging. Full days and inadequate WiFi are challenges hard to overcome. This blog covers Tuesday June 4th when we left Glacier National Park and ended in Great Falls, MT.

I am struck by the beauty surrounding us. The topography changes yet wonderful scenery abounds in vast and ever-changing displays.

We pass a cyclist riding to Maine carrying all she needs. We share our common destination. She looks askance, questioning ‘how so’ with no supplies on our bikes. I love humanity. In all situations we create hierarchies to order things. To many people, our passage with support is too much of a challenge. To the unsupported cyclist, ours is the easier path. Our fellow cyclist quickly recovers and graciously acknowledges our effort. It's a pleasant conversation.

There is so much for the curious to discover. A bird soars overhead and I am reminded of two summers exploring Utah, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico at an overnight summer camp. We learned one can tell birds apart by observing their flight patterns, how they flap their winds and the sequence of their pauses and gliding. A river runs by our road noisily hurrying along and I am reminded a knowledgeable person can tell where rocks lie underneath the surface and where safe passage is possible by the white water and shape of swells. I cannot do either of these things yet I know how much learning is possible in the great outdoors.

Montana roads are a challenge. Today’s initially beautiful scenery has become monotonous. The crosswinds are brutal to ride in. Even descents are a tricky challenge, fearful of being blown into traffic yet nervous riding on the poorly maintained roadside. We persevere but it is not fun.

Vik and I are riding together again. We reach a pass after 56 miles and wait for Peter for further directions. We are next to a stand of aspen trees. Oh how I love these trees with their white mottled bark and petite green leaves. The sound of the wind blowing through the stand of aspens is beautiful. I remember again my time as a 13 and 15 year old camping out west.

60 miles in, one loooong badass climb up to this pass, we enjoy a delightful lunch in East Glacier. This is living life to its fullest! To ride this long and climb mountain and pass one after another fills me with a sense of accomplishment and happiness that is hard to describe. We all dream but do we really expect to fulfill those dreams? I never truly did. And then The Norseman’s Passage came along and I committed. And now, with the assistance of many people, here I am eating the Pastrami Reuben sandwich special and contemplating desert on top of the world in Montana with four fellow Norseman.

We end up after finishing our ride and commuting in the van for an hour in Great Falls, MT. It is another late evening but the day was full and rewarding.

ODDS AND ENDS …

We are stopped along the road replenishing water and snacks. Vik asks: “how about we ride another 12 miles and call it quits?” I ask “why, what will 12 miles get us?” Vik: “your first Century.” I say “let’s do it”, jump on my bike and start pedaling. Vik hesitates to take a picture and I am gone. Legs pumping. Energy fueling my engine. I am on a mission. Oops … not too fast cowboy! I flat at mile 96.5. I laugh; this is the cycling Gods letting me know nothing comes easy. Vik catches up, laughing with me. Together we fix my tire. We set off and I complete my first Century ride in another short burst. I am pumped. I exult in triumph. I have earned this milestone. I achieved it by enjoying all the moments throughout the day and letting come what was meant to me. The achievement was a byproduct of a fantastic day.