Day 20 Sula to Missoula

Beautiful mountains

Neon sign on a building near Lolo, MT

Missoula at last!

Lee woke to a flat tire today. They stopped every 10-15 miles to add air and made it the entire way to Missoula. He plans to replace the tube tonight. They were grateful they didn't have to spend time fixing it during their 74 mile ride.

Today started with a 13 mile ride to breakfast at Mustang Allie's Cafe in the little western town of Darby. The guys enjoyed Darby as much as Red Lodge and Virginia City. To their surprise, Darby was the last pretty place they saw on their ride today. Lee said he never thought he would associate the word "yuck" with the Bitterroot Valley, but after seeing the truck and residential traffic combined with broken bottles, cans, bolts, etc., along the road from Hamilton the Missoula...."Yuck". Not at all what they thought would be there. It is the first road trash they have come across in their travels. One saving grace was an 8 mile bike path from Florence to Lolo that was free from traffic and trash and a lovely place to ride.

The weather was gorgeous again today! Blue sky, sunshine, temps reaching 90 degrees by mid-afternoon (too hot for riding, really), and believe it or not... the nasty headwinds found them. Normally winds would be out of the south (giving them a tailwind) but the winds shifted today and came at them from the north. They are all tired of headwinds. Each of them is gaining a suntan, but it seems that Zhenya has some interesting tan lines due to incomplete sunscreen application today. Hmmm..... They made frequent stops in air conditioned places for cold drinks and to cool off during the heat of the day.

The hotel ritual today was laundry for Lee, pool for the boys. Lee told the boys to put anything they wanted washed into the laundry pile in the middle of the floor. Sasha said, "I'm going to put my gloves in the laundry. They stink." Zhenya said, "Me, too." Lee found this amusing since he has washed his gloves before on the trip, and asked the boys previously if they wanted theirs washed and they always declined.

DAILY STATS:

74 miles from Sula to Missoula

8:30 am to 6 pm, sunny and 90 degrees

No elevation gain

932 total miles to date

Tomorrow is a 55 mile ride to Seeley Lake. They only have 3 more days of pedaling! Please pray for safety as they finish the trip. They are heading toward Glacier National Park over the next 2 days followed by a day of rest. The final day is riding through Glacier on Going to the Sun Road. Thanks for your prayers!

Day 19 Jackson Hot Springs to Sula, MT

Big Hole Valley

Wisdom, MT
Boys climbing the pass

Lee at Chief Joseph Pass

Zhenya and Sasha in town of Sula

Playing in the river behind Rocky Knob Lodge

Lee, Zhenya, and Sasha rode 65 miles today. The weather was gorgeous -- 85 degrees by mid-afternoon, sunny, and no winds to fight. They needed to use mosquito spray again as they rode through the valley before beginning a gentle 1300 foot climb up and over Chief Joseph Pass (7,264 feet) and Lost Trail Pass (7,014 feet). Both of these passes are on the Continental Divide, although the second one is downhill from the first pass and not another climb. Lost Trail Pass dips into Idaho for 1 whole mile, so the boys have now been to another state on this trip! Lee says that climbing into the Bitterroot Mountains is the most scenic ride they have had so far. The Bitterroots are simply beautiful.

A side note about the mosquitos--perhaps they are not using enough spray. Zhenya's back has so many mosquito bites on it that Lee and Sasha stopped counting them. Sasha got a pen a was playing "connect the dots" on Zhenya's back. :)

The guys are staying in a little place called Rocky Knob Lodge. It is listed as being in Sula, MT, but they spent 30 minutes in the tiny "town" of Sula today looking for Rocky Knob only to discover that it is actually located 6 miles north of town! That is 6 less miles they will need to ride tomorrow on their way to Missoula. :)

The guys are borrowing a GPS from Steve Cross. It tells their altitude when they are climbing and has proven to be a very useful gadget to have on the trip. Thanks for the loan, Steve!

DAILY STATS:
65 miles from Jackson Hot Springs to Sula, MT
10:15 am to 5:00 pm, sunny and 85 degrees
1300 feet elevation gain
858 total miles to date

Please continue to pray for stamina for the guys to finish the course. They are dealing with warmer temps and some weariness, but the final stretch is in sight. Thank you for keeping them in your prayers!

Day 18 Twin Bridges to Jackson Hot Springs (with addendum)

Yesterday was a long day, for sure! Lee texted me early to say that he was packing while the boys slept and that they would be getting an early start. Around 11:00 am (their time) he called to say that they had made it to Dillon and were stopping for lunch. He sent the following photos from his phone during their lunch break.They still had to ride another 47 miles to the far side of those mountains in the background.
Lunch break at McDonald's was greatly appreciated! Sasha looks like he wants to take a nap!
What duct tape did for Lee's side view mirror. He is pleased with the "fix".
Lee refers to this photo as the "cockpit modification" that they have made to their bikes. Pipe insulation duct taped to everyone's handlebars makes for happy wrists.
He sent this one and declared happily that they have not had to utilize the services of this agency. (It says "SEARCH AND RESCUE")

This is where the typical blog entry stops because he did not check in with me last night. I am not sure if it was due to the lateness of their arrival, poor phone service, no pay phone availability, or whatever other reason there could be, but suffice it to say, I do not have updates for yesterday. I do have a very active imagination, though. I spent quite a few hours last night imagining different scenarios of the Search and Rescue agency, or a medical service, needing to help out our guys. So, I prayed alot (since I was awake anyhow), and as soon as it was a reasonable hour this morning I called the Jackson Hot Springs Resort to verify that 3 bicyclists checked in last night under the name "DeRemer". The very nice lady who answered the phone assured me that they were there. I told her my story (briefly) and thanked her for putting my overactive imagination to rest!

In all fairness to my favorite husband I will be adding an addendum to this day's entry with the stats for yesterday's ride. I do know that the pedaling is fatiguing, especially for Sasha. Please pray for stamina for the 3 of them.

Update from Lee:
Zhenya, Sasha, and Lee all agree that yesterday has replaced the previous "HARDEST DAY". After stopping in Dillon, the rest of the afternoon was tough. They forgot to refill their water bottles at that stop (bad, bad, bad) and ended up riding the last 15 miles of the day without any water. They crossed Badger Pass (6760 feet) and Big Hole Pass (7400 feet). There is a big valley between the two passes called Grass Hopper Valley. Our guys say that "Mosquito Valley" would be a more appropriate name. The afternoon temps reached 90 degrees, which is the highest temps they have endured. The lack of water was really hard on them. By the time they arrived at Jackson Hot Springs (6 pm) Lee was fighting heat exhaustion. He went to bed by 8 pm while the boys soaked in the hot springs. Lee soaked this morning while the boys slept. Lee says that they were all worn out last night but they got a good night's rest and were on the road today by 10 am. This photo is from "Mosquito Valley".

DAILY STATS:

77 miles from Twin Bridges to Jackson Hot Springs

8:00 am to 6:00 pm, sunny and 90 degrees

3600 feet elevation gain

793 total miles to date

Day 17 Historic Virginia City

Photo from Lee's phone-from the road today.

A day of rest really helped the guys ride well today. A special thanks to Bret Owens for cleaning and washing the sprockets and chains on all 3 bikes, ridding them of over 600 miles worth of road dirt and gunk.

After another hearty breakfast with the Owens family, the guys started pedaling. They had a long climb over Ennis Hill to go down into Virginia City, an old truly western town. They stopped in Virginia City to rest and celebrated the climb with some ice cream (Zhenya) and a rootbeer float (Sasha).

They had good riding conditions--another crystal clear blue Montana sky. Lots of suntan and a little bit of sunburn! Today they experienced what Mike McNeill calls the "Montana Bike Path". Four inches of white paint holding the edge of the road together ~ as in no shoulder! It was a very tight ride for the next 20 miles after Virginia City.

Twin Bridges is a neat little town. The guys are staying at a place called "The Old Hotel", whose owners (Bill and Paula) have been very nice and kind. Breakfast is normally served at 9:00 am but the guys need to get started by 7:00 tomorrow so Bill and Paula are coming in early to make breakfast for them. Way cool!

DAILY STATS:
47 miles from McAllister to Twin Bridges
10:00 to 4:30 pm, sunny and beautiful!
1700 feet elevation gain
716 total miles to date

Tomorrow is going to be a looong day. They have to ride 77 miles, including 2 long climbs over passes in the afternoon before reaching Jackson Hot Springs. Please pray for safety as they ride and for continued good health and fellowship. Thanks for your interest!

Day 16 Resting at the Owens' Ranch

Good food, good fellowship, and good rest.

Lee says that he and the boys have experienced all three while at the Owens' ranch today. The boys woke to a hearty breakfast and then they got to explore the ranch. Zhenya and Sasha each held the goats, watched the baby calves get their ear tags, rode the 4-wheelers, and helped Gavin and Race with their chores. Rita continued to serve great food throughout the day. Bret told me that the boys even got to play a video game or two. They haven't held a game control for some time!

Thank you to the entire Owens family for sharing your day with the guys and opening your home to them. We appreciate the TLC you give them as they prepare for the next leg of their journey!

Tomorrow begins the final third of the trip. There are only 8 days left on the road, with 7 of those pedaling days. They head to Twin Bridges, MT in the morning. Please pray for stamina to finish the course set before them, for continued good health, and favorable road and weather conditions. Thank you!

Day 15 Bozeman to McAllister

Sasha, Zhenya, and Lee enjoyed breakfast and a relaxing morning with the McNeills before hopping on their bikes and heading toward McAllister, MT. The forecast was for a hot day but some cloud cover moved in a gave them great shade for their ride.

At the 20 mile point they stopped to take a break and Zhenya noticed a bubble in Sasha's rear tire. Lee said that he had noticed it the day prior but forgot to mention it. They decided to see how far they could make it on that tire before needing to change it. It went flat in approximately 4 rotations of the tire! They changed the tire quickly exactly as Jason had taught them in their maintenance class and were on the road in short order.

In another 10 miles they reached the town of Norris. By this time the cloud cover began building into a wind storm and gravel from the road started to fly around them and pelt them with great force. That didn't feel so good! They climbed a 900 foot hill and on the other side coasted down into McAllister in the Madison Valley, which is absolutely beautiful. Bret and Rita Owens were waiting for them in their pick-up truck in McAllister to show them to their ranch. The guys are enjoying a homecooked meal with Bret, Rita, Gavin, Madison, and Race this evening (Gage left recently for the Air Force Academy). Tomorrow is a well-deserved day of rest from riding that is sure to be a fun time at the Owens' ranch.

DAILY STATS:
39 miles from Bozeman to McAllister
11:00 am to 4:30 pm, sun and clouds
900 feet elevation gain
669 total miles to date

What a delight to stay with friends in the midst of this adventure. Thank you to the McNeills and to the Owens families for welcoming the guys into your homes. We appreciate your kindness to them!

Please pray that this day of rest will be refreshing for Sasha, Zhenya, and Lee. They are in need of it! Thank you for your continued interest and concern for them.

Day 14 West Yellowstone to Bozeman

Lee with Pete and Carla Neilsen

Today marked the most miles the guys rode in one day so far, finishing at 83 miles. It was another perfect, beautiful, sunny, blue sky Montana day. It felt a little chilly so the boys put on sweatshirts to start out. After only 2/10 of a mile Zhenya stopped to put on more warm clothing, Sasha was shivering and added more layers, and Lee put on his cold weather gear, too. Lee asked Zhenya to check the thermometer. To Zhenya's surprise it only read 46 degrees!

They had a 500 foot climb leaving West Yellowstone toward a 7,000 ft. pass that took them into the Gallatin Valley. The next 40 miles was mostly downhill, into headwinds. At this point the guys are convinced that they could put their bikes in a garage with the door shut and they would still have a headwind! The Gallatin River is beautiful. Lee says that it is begging to be canoed or kayaked. They spent an hour putting their feet in the river to cool off. Zhenya actually got in up to his neck!

At the 48 mile point Lee and the boys stopped at a gas station for a snack. Lee noticed a vehicle with a South Dakota license plate. He thought he recognized the profile of the man with the vehicle..... and that was because he knew the man! It was none other than Pete & Carla Neilsen and their daughters, Reagan and Randi. We were stationed together in Oklahoma almost 10 years ago. Small world, eh?

Road construction is still in season. There were 2 stretches today, both a mile long, and including pilot cars and rough gravel road. Lee's mirror suffered structural failure today due to road vibration! It lasted 13 days and a little over 600 miles. It seems like it should last a bit longer than that. The bikes are holding up well.

Mike McNeill and Sasha

The guys are staying with Mike and Shirley McNeill tonight. Mike was Lee's squadron commander when we were stationed in MT in the early '90s. This photo was taken shortly after arriving at the McNeills. Shirley started putting snacks out for the boys and the smiles grew even wider! All three "boys" are enjoying the hospitality offered by Mike and Shirley. Zhenya and Sasha like the McNeills new puppy, Riley, quite a bit, too. Thank you, Mike and Shirley, for opening your home to the guys!

DAILY STATS:

83 miles from West Yellowstone to Bozeman

7:40 am to 4:30 pm, sunny and ??

Total elevation gain of 500 feet, 7,000 ft pass, finishing elevation 5,000 feet

630 total miles to date

Tomorrow is a "short" day of approximately 40 miles. The guys are going to McAllister and will spend tomorrow and the next day with Bret and Rita Owens and their family on their ranch. Spending a day of rest on the ranch is a highlight for Zhenya and Sasha! Thank you for your continued prayer coverage for the adventurists!

Day 13 West Yellowstone and the 1# Buffalo Steak

Zhenya appears to have learned the art of self-photography!

This cartoon seemed appropriate for the blog!

Today was a wonderful day! Lee, Zhenya, and Sasha slept well and long and enjoyed a hearty breakfast before watching the Old Faithful geyser spew up into the air this morning. It was a beautiful, sunny, crystal clear blue sky day with not much wind. Thank you, Lord! They had a fairly fast ride through the park, covering 33 miles in 3 hours. Great sightings of wildlife today along the Fire Hole River! They saw buffalo, coyotes, a bald eagle, cow elk (in the river), and well-dressed fly fishermen. Zhenya and Sasha liked the bubbling of the Fountain Mud Pots. They continued to see cars with license plates from all over the US and Canada. The favorite one from today was Hawaii!

Today's hotel is a hit. Their room is on the first floor (no losing BOB on the elevator today) and it has 2 hot tubs! Sasha and Zhenya explored West Yellowstone on their own this afternoon while Uncle Lee went to the laundromat. They are going to meet for dinner at The Three Bears Restaurant -- home of the 1 pound buffalo steak! Zhenya ate one last year when he vacationed with us and he has been telling Sasha about it ever since. Lee says that both boys have definitely earned this dinner! After dinner they are going to soak in those hot tubs to soothe their hard working muscles.

DAILY STATS:
33 miles from Old Faithful to West Yellowstone
Noon to 3:00 pm, sunny and 65 degrees
No elevation gain
547 total miles to date

Tomorrow the guys ride a long day -- 82 miles to Bozeman, where they will visit our friends, Mike and Shirley McNeill. Please pray for continued safety on the roads, good bicycle maintenance, and good health. Lee has had some numbness in his fingertips which is considered normal (?) for long distance riding. (At least that is what he tells me so I won't worry too much!)