Cycling Advocates Ride to Pro Walk Pro Bike 2006 |
|||
| Daily Trip Log | Jack |
||
|
 |
Picture of Vancouver, BC  |
|
| from Bozeman to Big Timber, MT | |||
 |
|||
| Date: 2006-08-12 Distance: 97 Kilometres Cycling Time: 4.89 Hours Average Speed: 19.78 kph |
|||
| Trip Distance since Leaving Vancouver - 1,618 Kilometres | |||
Thoughts for the Day
|
|||
| Bozeman Pass | |||
 |
Today’s ride was very enjoyable.
|
||
 |
The scenery continued to change towards the prairie. As we approached Big Timber the trees on the hills became sparser, smaller, and scrubbier. The hills and tops were sparser. The soil was a pastel light brown. |
||
 |
However, what made the ride so enjoyable was the pleasant ride up to the Bozeman Pass. Instead of exhausting pedalling, today was a long 15 km or so ride to the pinnacle at reasonable grade. Only the last part of the last climb did one need to drop a gear. Then the descend was also at a reasonable grade and very long. | ||
 |
There was construction on the way up. As a result, one lane was closed in each direction. For part, I had to cycle on the shoulder of the opposing direction as it was the safest place to be. Both directions of travel were on one side of the road. Later on, when each direction of travel were reduced to one lane, that left one lane open for us to cycle on. What a pleasure cycling on a clean lane on the Interstate Highway. | ||
| Ride to Big Timber | |||
 |
The rest of the ride to Big River was also enjoyable. With a strong wind from the rear, with the road descending most of the time, and with no real climbs along the way, we glided to our destination. | ||
 |
From time to time, the wind would switch to the side or face on. The side winds were problematic at times, especially with trucks passing by. The wind must have been ion the 40 to 50 kph intensity. Sometimes the wind force affected by a truck would pull you towards the road. Sometimes the effect would happen 3 or 4 truck length after the vehicle had passed. Then the bile would take a hike to the left needed all strength to hold it on the paved shoulder. | ||
 |
At one point, when I was passing through a stretch of the highway where a mountain was located to the distant left, strong gusts of wind descended down the mountain side, across the plains, swept up the Yellowstone River’s bank and on to highway. It was very difficult keeping the bike on the road and upright. | ||
| Livingston | |||
 |
 |
We stopped for lunch at a town of about 2,500 to 10,000 people. It is a bustling city with red brick buildings on the main street. Stopped at the visitor centre and was recommended an interesting diner for lunch. | |
 |
 |
|
 |
| Deer Country | |||
 |
 |
Well, this is deer country. We can see them frequently lying by the side of the road. | |
| Thunder Storm | |||
 |
 |
For the last few days there has been forecast of a potential of a thunderstorm or a dry lightening storm. Today, while cycling the sun was frequently hidden by clouds. At one point, a few drops fell. | |
 |
 |
Just now as I write this note, the thunder is reverberating in the distance. There are raindrops on the window. | |
 |
 |
The forecast for tomorrow looks more inviting – 25 degree temperature and sunny. | |
| Almost a Flat | |||
 |
As I was cycling along about 30 kilometres back form the motel, I heard some noise. I debated of I should stop to just continue. I finally decided to stop and check. After checking to the bike and the back wheel, I found a chunk of rethreaded tire stuck in the front wheel. I pulled it out. It seemed to have entered from the side. So far the extra protection in the Sureguard tires seems to have avoided a flat tire. | ||
|
 |
||
Cycling Facilities
|
|||
| I-90 | |||
| For a while, the rumble strip was made up of about 0.7 metres wide cuts in the pavement running perpendicular to the traffic lane beside the white ling on the paved shoulder. It provided a good separation between motorized vehicles and cyclists. It did cut down the flexibility to avoid shoulder garbage. | |||
 |
 |
Again, some counties need to clean the shoulder of debris. | |
| Livingston | |||
 |
 |
Again, I was frustrated when a bike path ran between the rail track and the road and there were no signs on the road making cyclists aware of it. Neither was there a bike path map. As a touring cyclist, unless there is clear indication of a bike path and where it would take a cyclist, I tend to avoid them or miss them completely. | |
 |
|||
 |
This small town is cycling focused. Businesses had bike racks installed. There were plenty of people from children to adults out cycling and doing their business. Helmets did not seem to be a priority in this small town. | ||
 |
 |
 |
|