Day 12, Townsend to Harlowton, MT

We got out of camp and on the road by 06:30 this morning. The cue sheet reads, "This century ride begins with [a] 1,200 foot climb then back onto the high plains...Only services are at White Sulfur Springs." The last 100 mile ride kicked our butts, so we wanted to get an early start.











Scenery above for the first 10 miles.

After about 10 miles, we entered Deep Creek Canyon and began our climb. Grades were easy at first. If you looked to our left you would see this.











Then you could look to the right and see this. Deep Creek, I assume.


















The grade slowly increased to about six or seven percent, but we just kept spinning a low gear and reminding each other to drink water. Finally, as we got near the top of this 12 mile climb we saw this. Also Sprach Zarathustra anyone?











After stopping at the top of the climb for energy bars and sports drink, we had a screaming descent into the valley, reaching 42.7 mph. Our camera decided to switch to black and white mode, but I think this picture conveys the scene. It was the last that Margaret took before tucking in for a high speed descent.

The rest of the day was a fantastic, roller coaster ride. Charge down a hill, go as fast as you can, carry that speed to take you up the next hill. Repeat. The effect is exhilarating, much like riding a roller coaster.

Some one told us there was a two year old black bear a mile or two ahead. Margaret spotted him/her a bit up the hill from the road, and we stopped for a picture. The #)?!@# program won't let me add any more pictures. Probably something I'm doing wrong. At any rate, I'll do a short second post to show them.