Bishop Bike Adventure Day 24 July 24, 2010

This is our 18th day of biking and even though we are getting in shape, our bikes are not! Debbie was riding along enjoying the sunshine and the quiet plains when suddenly she heard a thud from behind. Tim was riding behind her when he shouted, “STOP!” Finally she did and the whole back rack had swiveled backwards taking the panniers with it, which had crashed to the pavement! Debbie thought she had blown out her tire, but instead it was a loose screw required to hold the rack to the bike frame. We pulled off the road as Tim searched the area for the needed screw and washer. We have the same Trek 520’s, but our bikes have some notable differences. Tim’s back rack is secured with 2 screws- I just have one holding my rack. While we were on the side of the road, a Good Samaritan pulled over and asked if we needed help. He drove back to his garage and came back with a variety of tools and screws. But while he was gone, Tim fixed the problem and we were all set, although the right rear pannier now has two pinholes. Tim found the missing screw on the shoulder of the road after having used one from his bike, so we now have a spare in hand. We are learning that having a screw loose can cause all kinds of problems. Wouldn’t you agree?

We went almost 90 miles today and had gotten an early start, riding 20 miles from Havre to Chinook where we stopped for a great breakfast. Downtown Chinook is pictured here, apparently one of several ghost towns in the making that we have seen as we traverse the "hi-line". The road has flattened out and the wind has died down. We are getting in the groove of riding more miles each day, especially when the wind is behind us or non-existent! It is so cool to be out riding long, straight stretches, with little effort, giving the feeling like it is just you and the road.

We arrived in mosquito infested Malta where we stopped at DQ after dinner. They gave us our ice cream treats and then lent us a bottle of OFF bug spray, which we gladly accepted. On our way home from DQ, the trucks were out spraying the streets of Malta to quell the little critters!

Eastern Montana has some beautiful rolling hills and lots and lots of farmland where the deer and the antelope play, or played as the case may be. Today, we seldom heard a discouraging word and the skies were not cloudy all day!