Day 25, Lolo to Hamilton, MT

Miles – 46

Ave Riding Speed – 9-14 mph

Hours Start to Finish – 7.25

Weather – Sunny and 82

Last night, after I posted the daily blog, I walked out to our second story shared balcony to check on my bike clothes I had set out to dry. Our motel neighbor was out getting some fresh air and we struck up a conversation. Hank is in town for his brothers wedding in Stevensville and is an avid cyclist and ironman competitor. We talk about some of the deeper aspects of our trip across America like. Things like life changing, see America, meeting people from all aspects of life and the country. We also discussed getting through the mental lows and holding up your other teammates when they need it. And things like, we all fall down, it’s how you get up that matters. Hank is retiring in less than 2 years and he said he was inspired by our discussion and the adventure Kim and I are on and that has put a little twinkle in his eye about doing a similar trip when he retires.

I’m not very good about shutting my brain down and going right to bed after writing these blogs and generally need to come down from a little high before hitting the pillow. So the later we get in, the later I do the blog, the later I go to bed. Hot the pillow about midnight. This makes for a later departure time which seems to lead to a ruff day for the legs.

Kim and I got up about 7:30am and went for coffee in the motel lobby of the Days Inn. Upon returning I called one of my cousin’s phone numbers that went to the family business in Missoula and explained my situation to the guy on the other end. He said to send him and e-mail and he would forward it on to my cousin Anne.  We continued packing and taking our time hoping to hear from her. Sure enough, Anne e-mailed me back and said her and Jack were at the ranch for the summer north of Missoula and gave me the phone number for my cousin Mary. I called Mary about 10am and she picked up.  I confirmed her address and we jumped on the Hwy 93 tarred bike path going south out of Lolo at 10:45am headed for Stevensville about 25 miles south.

All but the last .25 miles was tar as we walked our bikes up to Mary’s log cabin home and I yelled to her as she was looking through her binoculars from deck is search of us. Mary invited us in and we were able to spend a couple of hours together talking about family, life and happiness. At one point we facetimed my mom and dad. There were a few tears all the way around. It was awesome and I know it meant a lot to my mom. I had probably only met Mary a couple times at a family reunion, but is was just nice to really have the opportunity to talk. The short time we spent together made a great deal to me. As we departed, we took a few cellphone pictures and then mounted our saddles and drifted down the driveway.

We were only about 25 miles in for the day and our legs where just no pulling the load we’d have liked, so we set our sights on Hamilton, MT, and had no plans for where to stay. We once again jumped on the Hwy 93 bike path that took us within a mile of Hamilton. I had hoped to make it to the bike shop today, but is was closed and now closed until Monday. I decided I’d pull into the auto parts store for some degreaser for our chains and some chain lubricant. It’s kind like a 1,000-oil change.

While I was at the auto parts store Kim was scouring the internet for a motel. Nothing, nothing then a room opened up and Kim jumped on it. It was only a mile down the road and we were pumped as it was now 6pm on a Saturday. We rode directly to the motel and I walked in to the front desk and said I have a reservation. She said that she was very sorry, but the app we’ve been using has been overbooking her place. Huge bummer! We decided we should get something to eat and went over to the Coffee Cup diner and sat at the counter. Kim ordered breakfast and I ordered a burger and fries. We opened up our map on the counter and a local couple walked past and asked where we were headed. We responded that we’re headed to Virginia, but can’t find a place to stay tonight. Jane and Art said to come stay with them and they are only a couple blocks away. How awesome is that!? They gave us their address and we rode over after dinner. They parked our bikes in their foyer and invited us in..

Come to find out they are huge bicycle folks. They both still put on the miles and Jane was one of the originals to ride the Transamerica Trail for the 1976 Bikecentennial and the USA Bicentennial. I took a picture of them with their framed certificate. I borrowed Art’s tire pump and a little saddle lube for our Brooks saddles to keep them soft. Jane and Art’s hospitality is genuine and they have welcomed us in their home. It just feels good.