Expecting headwinds, I was up early, alongside Rob, Katie, Dennis and Marie in the Chester City Park. Rob and Katie were out first, then I, then Dennis and Marie. I said good bye to them, as they were headed for Shelby, but Rob and Katie were headed to Cut Bank with me, so I knew I'd be seeing them.
On the bike at 6:45. I'm getting pretty good at this up and out thing. Highway two was a little quieter this time of morning.
This cone shaped butte peaked out from the lingering smoke like Mount Fuji over a sea of wheat.
There was practically nothing for 40 miles from Chester to Shelby. I did the first 30 without a break. Then stopped and had cheese at the front of a closed bar, across the street from some silos, a place that's known as Dunkirk.
The last of the cheese...
Ran into a cyclist named Martin coming the other way. Chill lookin fellla. He said, "you won't believe what you're about to go through," and I replied, "Neither do you, I've been on the plains for 12 days."
Followed the tracks, as I have been for days.
Soon, I was in Shelby. Didn't stop for long. Just used the Subway bathroom (they're the cleanest) and dumpster dove a slice of pizza from Pizza Hut (still warm, in all this heat) and was on my way again.
After Shelby it was but 20 miles to Cut Bank. I had been leapfrogging Rob and Katie all day but we rode the last section into Cut Bank together.
Mama passed me on her way in to town on highway 2. She honked, I waved. I offered the other guys to stay with us the night in the RV park on the river, and they accepted gladly.
"The Mothership" was there waiting for us.
I had a big bowl of fresh melon, a cold shower, and many hugs. Dinner was fresh corn salad, tomales with salsa verde, and for desert a shortcake with berries. What a welcome feast.
Feeling in good hands. Ready to take on the mountains.
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