After our holiday in Bozeman we were ready to spin the wheels again. With forecasted bad weather we had a big day to Park Lake. Starting on paved roads, gravel roads followed for the first climb of the day. Then down into the old mining town of Basin for chicken and taco soup, followed by apple pie – doing it hard, I hear you say… We headed up our second climb with threatening skies and the road deteriorated to a fun track around Lava mountain with a few pushes and then a great 4 mile technical downhill to the Park Lake CG, no mosquitoes but a rude RV running it’s generator into the wee hours grrrrr..
The rain came earlier than predicted for the 20 miles into Helena, Montanas State capital. It was the first time we needed, and wore, full rain gear. Breakfast at Steves cafe with a friendly couple from the campground made up for it.
We were kindly put up for two nights in Helena by Jacque and Don (who enjoy kidnapping Divide cyclists), when we delayed our departure cos of strong head winds. It’s a no brainer – bike into a strong cold headwind or stay and enjoy more good food and company and a look around town What would you do?
Northern Montana has had some of the lumpiest altitude profiles of all the maps. The llama cabin was a treat after a hilly day out of Helena and before the next 2 climbs. Barbara is a fantastic host, stocking the cabin and we enjoyed spending time with her over beer, cheese and crackers. We are overwhelmed at the kindness of strangers that open their lives to passing cyclists.
