Deby's big day

August 21 - Sula, Montana
Mileage: 137.28 km
Ride time: 6:07 hrs
Total mileage: 761 km
Temperature: 98 degrees

The pancakes worked. We are staying in a small cabin in a campground in Sula. The only campground, in fact the only thing in Sula apart from a gas station and small store.

We cycled a long way today. I wanted to get to the base of an ascent today which divides and Montana and Idaho. I didn't want to have to do much cycling before we tackled the pass tomorrow.

We cycled south from Missoula on Hwy 93. The whole day was spent in the Bitter Root Valley. The valley was very pretty and although we gained elevation the riding was relatively flat. It made the kms go by quickly. The north end of the valley is arid country. This area resembles scenery much like the Kamloops area in BC, mountains sparsely covered in pine trees with large glades of yellow dry grass interspersed.

Towards the south end, where the valley begins to close in, it becomes more lush. The forest more dense, and the glades disappearing. Unfortunately there was a large forest fire here in 2001 and some this area is in recovery.

I have to eat a little crow today because Deby's bike with her fancy tires got another flat. We fixed it and were on our way.

Deby's bushed, sleeping as I write. Good night.