Day 10. Last day.

The goal today was to ride up loagan's pass via the road to the sun. Then we were to head down the other side of the mountain to st. Mary's. Turns out that with all fires on the other side only cars can go down the other side. Here's a pic before more talking. 

This pic is about 1/2 hour into the ride. It's 6am. I know what your thinking. Are u guys crazy. That's the best set up yet. 

It was so cold. Numb fingers, toes and knees. The first and last rest stop was at 18 miles. 

The new plan was to go up to the pass, turn around and make it back by 11 am. A round trip of 60 miles. Not counting the fact that we had to climb a mountain. 

You can see the urgency so we didn't hang around long. I barely drank anything by this point cause it was so cold. I took two bottles but a lot of people filled only one because of the climb. Less weight. 

As we approached the bottom of the mountains I thought how are we ever gonna pull this off.

Riding beside the mountain stream the climb was very minimal and quiet so early in the morning. We turned a few corners, 

And it became real. Full on climb. Nothing crazy but a steady unending climb to the top. Bob the machine took off. Every man for himself. Ride at your own pace. 

Thru a tunnel. Not really sure which peak around us was ours. 

You could see I was gaining some elevation. The road was below us now. We just did a switch back. Now my legs were warm, but my fingers were still cold. 

Climb climb climb. A few more cars as the time ticked away. 

It's hard to smile as you climb. 

You can't stop concentrating because just over the side is a huge drop. 

Well lets just say that the scenery made it all worth it. It's different than being in a car. You feel the temperature change as you go from beside the lake to the start of the climb to mid way. It's getting colder. 

This is going along side the mountain looking at the valley we rode in on. I think you can see the rode alongside the river. 

This was my first look at the pass. The low part between the mountains. You can see the cut line in the rocks from the road. Of course as I was riding there were no signs of how much further. I didnt know that  was the summit. Keep going and legs don't give up I was thinking. 

 Not knowing how much longer was tough. No partners to ask what mile were at. This road was built in 1932. Look at that block work. Riding in the sun would be nice. I guess that's why they called it the road to the sun. I'm sure the guys building it thought the same thing 

Maybe I should stop and take a hike. Then I saw a welcome sign. It said 1/2 a mile to summit. I think I was going so fast that I only got this sign just after it. 

They're  messing with me, a parking lot like we're finished. Around the corner I go. 

Some where on this is a mountian goat. 

There's the summit. A bunch of cyclists are cheering me on. They must have gotten a ride up;) I should have trained more. Too late for that. 

I was going to throw my bike down the mountian but then I realized I had to ride it down and back 30 miles. 

Carrie drove up the mountian and showed up just after I hit the summit. 

Thanks to bob and Jane for dragging my sorry butt from jasper to glacier park. Thanks to Terry and all the volunteers for supporting us all the way. Thanks to Carrie for helping me and the other riders. Wouldn't have done it without you. 

Here's a bonus pic

This is a

One of the tour buses that runs to the peak and back. 

Thanks Len 

Day 8 crossing into Montana

So this morning was a dream. I woke up at 9. In honour of our last day in Canada we had bacon and eggs. The park had an extra exit with no climbing. Lets just say it was a dream. No really it was a dream. We woke up at 6.20 to find everyone awake, tents packed and ready to go. Cold or hot cereal. The race was on. Albert and his crew were going to stay late to  help clean up. Then they were going to blow past everyone and still arrive first. Before we left they were already released so we new then it wasn't much of a race. 

It was cold and spitting rain as we left camp. The two mile climb was still in place. Every once and awhile the sun tried to peck through. The sky looks sad. 

After some typical climbs and descents we came up to elk river. At the top it looks great and fast. Only trouble is you have to climb back out again.

We were in full tuck going 60+km.  imagine the look on there faces when some idiot comes beside them and takes pictures. 

There's one and here's the other one. 

The climb out was worth it cause the scenery was great. 

 We collected a few more riders after the first rest stop. We also saw some great farms and ranches right along the mountians. 

Saw a nice old truck, I may have to come back for that one. 

Here's a nice scenery shit that if you look closely may have the next seatosea logo. 

Built to take the load. 

After a nice ride we hit the border. 

We crossed over, and I put my phone on airplane mode. I'm not sure if Jane had enough of Canada or if she's flipping off the states. Check this pic and you decide. 

We biked a nice quite road to the second sag stop. After some nacho chips and dip we had a nice group and continued on. 

Rolling hills. It was a nice relaxing ride. 

The sun was doing its best to sneak out. The rain let up and it warmed up a bit. 

Jane and nelly finally got a pick with a bear. 

We did some nice riding on a quiet but very bumpy road. Everyone's spirits were up. 

The next two pics are only a few miles apart. 

Amazing how quick the sky and the landscape can change.

After the last stop it was all business. We were feeling a little worn after a bumpy ride. 30 more km on a shoulder less round was a tough way to end the day. 

 The scenery stayed spectacular. I don't think pics do it justice. So if you like what you see the either join or keep reading my blog. See you all tommorow 

Len 

Day 9 into glacier park

Well last night we had a fun time yapping in the parking lot of the beautiful place we were staying at. 

It's funny how we just sit somewhere and people keep showing up. Lots of fun. After supper Michael Rozell of potter's field ministries came and spoke to us about the work their doing around the world to help fight poverty. The place we stayed at used to be the training center for the ministry. Nice to know we're not fighting the fight alone. 

Back to the ride. Down the hill from camp and right into a hill to climb. A nice way to warm up in the morning. 

As you can see we're on a major road for a time with very small shoulders. A lot of logging trucks came flying by. They would lay on the horn to some of the cyclists. 

Soon we made a turn onto a quiet road that paralleled the highway. It was much safer and had less traffic. Nice scenery too

It had a few bumps and one of the ladies cell phones fell out of her bike pouch. Later at camp they pinged it and Randy drove back and found it on the side of the road untouched and working. 

. 

Biking in these conditions is a real blessing. 9 days of great cycling weather. Cool nights good for sleeping. 

After  the first rest stop more great riding.

Driving through whitefish we went through construction. We rode on the sidewalk to get past some of the mud. Our bikes got covered. 

Blue sky's   

Making a hard left into carries rest stop. 

Carrie's stop was busy. Salsa and. Chips cheeses bread peanut butter and jam. Water and  Gatorade.

After riding more back roads and having a deer scramble on the road to get traction ten feet in front of us, we hit a coffee shop in Columbia falls. 

As we sat there comfortably in first place Albert and his crew went by. I might have been riding them a little about slowing down and enjoying the ride. I took a picture to show you what they see as they race by. 

We finish and headed out. As we got closer to glacier park we saw a sign that said the road to the sun was open. 

The road got a little tight but just before it did a mobile home sticking 2 ft on either side came by and I was worried someone might get hurt. 

. As we came to the rest stop everyone was there safe. 

After the stop we motored on. The crew came up behind us and Jane pulled them into camp. 

Ok maybe it was a few miles. We were teaching them a different way to enjoy the ride. 

Here I'm pulling them in. It's funny that after the fact a few of the details get blurry. I guess those that would like to correct them ( you know the A type personalities) can write there own blogs. I think they call it poetic License.

We all arrived safe and smiling. We celebrated with an opa 

Fitting that I am an opa. 

Brian's treat. Nothing tastes better for a bunch of cheap Dutchmen than a free rehydration beverage. Thanks Brian.