Montana is gorgeous, but my goodness is it windy! Yesterday was the hardest day of riding I have ever done on a bike. We had to climb two passes with a 25-30mph headwind, which is strong. There were a number of times when I almost cracked, but it is testament to the journey that I just put my head down and kept peddling. If yesterday had been earlier in the trip, perhaps in the Appalachians, then I think I would have stopped, but I feel in the zone at the moment, and I just get into an easy gear and peddle. I have really struggled with headwinds and find I get very angry when they occur, but I have now made peace with them, and respect their power. You cannot beat a wind, and you certainly cannot let it bother you. Just slow down and relax, that is the key.
Montana has been everything I expected. Wilderness, forests and mountains. It also seems to be the fly fishing capital of the world, and every town advertises its fishing! It is a different ball game here to the UK which I love. There is no pretentiousness about it which is just ridiculous back home. Anyone can fish here (no big bucks involved) and all you need is a licence. There are no fancy prices for certain beats. It is such a breath of fresh air. In rural America, or at least up here, there seems to be no strong class system, which I think stifles the UK. You can fly fish in a Hawaii t-shirt and no one would give a damn (except the fish!). Having said that, I have seen a couple of Orvis shop though!
Tomorrow we will be in Missoula. The company that produce the Trans America trails maps are based in Missoula, so we will pop into the offices to say hello - and hopefully get some free ice-cream (rumours travel well on the trail between cyclists!). When I started this journey, Missoula was a city I was very much looking forward to, and it seemed so far away. It is unbelievable that I am 65 miles away! Laura, James and I will probably spend at least two days resting before I split with them and head West, while they go North up to Glacier National Park. Having extra days off is great because it usually takes one day to do errands. We are also all feeling the jounrey a little. My little fingers on both hands are going numb while riding, I have muscle pains in my back and the tip of my big toe has gone tingly! My mother would put it all down to repetitive strain injury and I think I concur! Apparently Missoulans are big on tubing down the river in lorry inner tubes with a crate of beer. I may also try and do some fishing.
Last night I met a cyclists who used to live in Portland, and he has sold the place to me. I cannot wait to get there and explore. Not only does it sound like a easy going place with a lot on, but it is the most cycle friendly city in the USA. It will be interesting to compare it to Amsterdam. Micro-breweries, tonnes of restaurants, bike trails, music scene, mountains on the horizon - sounds good to me! It will also mean I am reunited with Andrea again, which will be great. I cannot wait to cycle with her to Vancouver, and I have certainly missed her a lot!
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