Lifestyle

Doing this trip has definitely opened my eyes to a different lifestyle.  I have encountered many folks who work jobs for months or years until they have enough money to take off for a few months biking and then get new jobs once the money runs out.  Not sure I could do this but I have to admit that there is something very freeing and romantic about that!

The longest vacation I can remember taking when I grew up was a week or two weeks and now it seems like much longer escapes are becoming the norm.

We have run into lots of self contained bikers on this trip.  Self contained or self supported bikers carry all their stuff with them.  They do not have a sag wagon that carries their stuff from place to place like we do. Instead, their bikes are outfitted with panniers, or saddle bags, on each side.  The bonus : ultimate freedom to change schedule at a moment's notice.  If you want to stay extra days somewhere or push on it is up to you.  The drawback of self contained cycling :  weight. Good for downhills but not so good for uphills. We have encountered many self contained folks this year: West bounders like Andy, who we have run into and camped with intermittently since NY...and lots of east bounders too - especially since Minneapolis.

Since Logan's pass in Glacier did not open until July 3 this year, I  was told that lots of east bounders delayed their start so they could be sure that Glacier Park - specifically Going to the Sun Road - would be part of the itinerary. I expect that we will continue to see lots more self contained as we approach Seattle.

7/15 - Glasgow,MT to Malta, MT -  93 miles
Sadly, this would be Beth's last day with us.  She did the route last year and had joined us for a week on her way to Fort Collins for her new job.  She was fun to ride with and I will definitely have to look her up when we visit Boulder in August.

The ride was relatively easy that day despite the 93 miles...we rolled into camp early and took showers and did laundry at a truck stop nearby.  Our camp site featured a rodeo ring, horses and swings.