Road Scholars

Hey all:

I should mention in each of the blogs that if this is your first time with us, you might want to read the very first blog - as that explains what we are doing and why. I will try and repeat this message at the beginning of each blog from now on so folks can get caught up.

Jake and I have decided to give out Road Scholar Awards to individuals, companies, and states for various road-related issues. For instance, there was the waitress in Washington who was not exactly sure how to give us directions out of town on the one main road that ran through it, the map company who printed a number of errors that almost got us really lost, and the entire state of Montana for having the worst roads for riding a trike (the shoulders are either un-rideable or non-existent, and the road edges are so filled with potholes that we are at risk of having every screw rattle loose or breaking an axle). In their defense, they are in the process of re-paving a section of Highway 2 through Glacier Park, but that has only earned a number of road crew more Road Scholar awards for not knowing what to do with a bike in construction zones.

Look for more Road Scholar awards as we head into eastern Montana.

Anyway, the ride out of Idaho around the Lake and into Montana was beautiful! The prettiest stretch of road I think I have ever been on is the first twenty miles after you have left Rte 200 heading north on 56 from Bull River to Bull Lake in western Montana. You are riding by a river most of the way (which is really high due to snow melt and rain) and have the cabinet mountains on your right, as well.

With the exception of the condition of the road riding into town, we really enjoyed the town of Whitefish, MT. We had a great breakfast and got some much needed help with fixing the rack on Jake's bike (after the screws holding it on fell off due to the bumpy roads). Special thanks to Tony at a ski shop for giving us directions and giving us a detailed description of the new technology in powder skis and describing the virtues of Whitefish over Boulder, Colorado.

Had a nice ride into West Glacier, but were disappointed that we could not ride the Going to the Sun road over Logan pass. We had to settle for the lower Marias Pass (for which our legs were secretly grateful). This road skirts the edge of the National Park and misses many of the views we would have otherwise gotten, but was still beautiful. At one point, and eagle took flight next to us on the road and settled into a tree so we could get a better look at him.

Stayed last night in East Glacier, the first town heading east into the Blackfoot Reservation. We have had a lot of folks warn us about crossing through here. We are hoping that the hostility and crime they have reported to us has been exaggerated and is borne of long-standing stereotypes that have existed here for some time. We shall see.

The People Section:

We have been leap-frogging with a nice guy named Jim from Georgia who is riding the same route that we are taking who is riding for autism and asperger's (he has a son with asperger's). He has some time to kill before meeting up with some family members so is heading up to Canada. I'm sad that we may not meet up with him again. Good luck on your journey Jim.

There was Jean, a woman from Barre, VT who nicely gave up her room with two beds at the Circle R hotel, where we stayed last night, so Jake and I could have some space. She is an avid cyclist who has racked up some impressive miles over the years. She is soon heading to Alaska with her husband and three dogs. Have fun.

There was the young guy who was doing his laundry who is in the middle of hiking the 2500+ mile Continental Divide trail, after already hiking both the Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails (slouch!).

We had dinner last at a Mexican restaurant next to a table consisting of a mom and daughter from Rutland, VT (Sarah is actually working in the Park this summer) and a couple (Diana and Zach) from Portland, OR, who are on a two-week trip, hiking in the Park. Nice folks all.

We head into flatter lands today. It looks as if we will be in Montana forever! We are hoping that Ted Tuner or Robert Redford will invite us to stay on their ranches as we ride through. I heard that Bob makes a great Buffalo burger.

Thanks to those of you who have left comments on the Blog or sent us an e-mail of encouragement (rdbehaviorself@yahoo.com). It's nice to know we haven't been forgotten - yet!

Take care,

Rob & Jake