WEEK 4

We left Missoula on Tuesday morning ,in the heat ,with a new wheel on my bike. We had a 51 mile ride to Hamilton which was ok until the thunder and lightning and heavy rain. We had no option but to shelter under a tree and wait for the weather to improve. Dermot's turn to cook....we had a lovely microwave lasagne sitting on the bench outside our motel room and a few cold beers!
Next day we cycled to a place called Lost Trail Hot Springs and we stayed in a VERY rustic cabin there. We enjoyed the hot springs pool and hot tub! We set off early next morning as we had two passes to climb... Lost Trails first (7012ft) and then Chief Joseph (7252ft). We also crossed the Continental Divide again . We were warned about the mosquitoes over the next 30 miles or more and boy were they waiting for us! They were really out in force. Never in my life have I seen such enormous and vicious mozzies!! The road was long and straight for miles and miles and there was no way to escape their attack! Due to Dermot's encounter with the Mighty Mozzie that day, he has now resorted to wearing reinforced cycling shorts!!! Along with the mosquitoes that day we also had an unnerving experience with a bird! As we were cycling and minding our own business, suddenly a big bird swooped and tried in turn to knock each of us off our bikes....not very nice!! We ended that day at another hot springs, this time Jackson Hot Springs...I couldn't bear the heat of the water in the pool, it was hotter than the hottest bath!
Friday we went to a town called Dillon, not the nicest town but we had some fun in the local bar and I won a free drink by throwing the dices!
Our next stop was Virginia City, a real little wild west town. As it was getting close to July 4th the festivities were starting so there was lots to look at and do. The place was full of cowboys and horses and music; we enjoyed it there and we stayed in the funniest, most old fashioned hotel on the main, in fact ,only, street! We wanted to stay a second night but they were fully booked so on Sunday 4th we went to Ennis a town about 20 miles further on,over a big hill. We got there just in time for the Parade which was great, a real proper taste of America. It was all happening at the parade! We then went to a vintage car exhibition right next to our Motel, then a barbeque and the highlight of the day was the rodeo in the afternoon!! That was amazing...bucking broncos, bucking bulls....very exciting. Lots of photos taken!!!
On Monday we did 71 miles and nearly all uphill , all the way to West Yellowstone, just outside the National Park. That brings us to the end of week four and the end of Montana!