67.89 miles (Total: 3389.67) Avg Speed: 11.8mph Max Speed: 36mph
Today was a mission to make it to the Adventure Cycling headquarters in Missoula before closing time. The route turns at Lolo so its actually a 13 mile detour, 26 in all coming back to the trail but we didn’t mind. The others set out early but me and Wim had a casual breakfast then drafted our way at 16mph to catch up.
From Stevensville there was a bike path all the way to Lolo, it felt like a pilgrimage back to the home of the TransAm trail in Missoula and we were cruising so there was no doubt of reaching the destination in time. Stefaan had set out alone today he was only going to Lolo and planned on hitching a ride into Missoula tomorrow.
After entering Missoula the local bicycle network kicked in and the paths continued, everybody is on a bike, you can’t move for bikes.
We eventually reached the headquarters where you are immediately presented with a free membership, ice cream and soda after having your picture snapped for the wall of fame. I spent several hours looking at all the memorabilia on display and spoke briefly with Greg Siple one of the 4 who created the TransAm.
We checked into a motel room and took a dip in the hot tub, only to make it feel remotely warm you had to jump into the freezing pool first. We had Italian for supper and went and sat by the river until sunset with some live music playing in the background and people returning up the banks from their day of tubing on inflatables downstream.
We are taking the day off tomorrow to see more of Missoula and I plan on visiting the ACA again to pick up another map because me and Wim have now decided to cycle up the coast a few days to Portland once we have finished.
ACA door handles.
Picture on the wall of fame.
The whole day had one purpose: reach the Adventure Cycling headquarters in Missoula before it closed. The official route jogs off at Lolo, so it meant a thirteen-mile detour each way — twenty-six miles of extra riding neither of us minded in the slightest. The others had gone on ahead at first light, but Wim and I took a slower breakfast and simply drafted our way up to sixteen miles an hour to close the gap.
A bike path ran the whole way from Stevensville to Lolo, and riding it felt like a pilgrimage of sorts, back toward the spiritual home of the TransAm trail. We were cruising, and there was never any doubt we’d get there in time. Stefaan had set out alone that morning, bound only for Lolo, with plans to hitch the rest of the way into Missoula tomorrow.
Missoula’s own bicycle network took over as soon as we crossed the city line, and the paths simply never stopped — everyone in that town rides a bike, and you could barely move without one crossing your path.
We finally reached the headquarters, where you’re handed a free membership, ice cream, and soda in almost the same breath as your photo goes up on the wall of fame. I lost hours in there, poring over the memorabilia, and got to trade a few words with Greg Siple, one of the four people who dreamed the TransAm into existence in the first place.
We checked into a motel and tried the hot tub, which only felt warm at all if you’d just hauled yourself, shivering, out of the ice-cold pool beside it. Dinner was Italian, and afterward we sat by the river until sunset with live music drifting over from somewhere and a stream of sunburnt tubers climbing back up the bank after a day floating downstream.
Tomorrow was a rest day, more of Missoula, and another trip to the ACA for a fresh map — Wim and I had settled it between us that once we reached the coast, we’d turn north and ride the extra days up to Portland together.
ACA door handles.
Picture on the wall of fame.
3 comments from 2010
ha nice photo. Keep it up I'm awaiting many more blog updates x
Love the door handle!
That dessert looks immense! On treated slate aswell, definitely the future! x