We rode rolling, gradually ascending hills for an overall 8 mile climb out of Helena, with pretty dusty roads since there'd been no rain for a few days, as the morning got hotter and hotter, but not bad. UNTIL we reach the second climb and-- suddenly -- very serious washboard just surprised us and nearly made us both bite it! I never could've imagined such washboard! but I was able to keep upright, surprisingly. But, boy, does that sort of stuff make my heart race for fear of tipping over, and then there's the loose gravel to slush over while trying to find a smoother path. Good luck, today!
I don't think we had any spots to conveniently stop to take a break for snaps-- either no shade or, for me, not the nerve to stop on the too steepish incline for fear of not being able to get going again. (Not a problem for Paul, who was better about breaking for water today.)
We went beyond the turn we would be taking in the morning and continued another mile to, voila, lovely Park Lake--a somewhat "suburbia" rec area and campground, accessible to both Helena-ites and those from the more nearby town of Clancy, so, yeah...there was a lot of traffic on this holiday weekend Saturday! But we lucked out and found a recently vacated site that had a refreshing hillside and grove of trees, quick access to the lake and the fresh water pump, and even some leftover dry wood for a fire.
We had a quick lunch of ham, hummus, fresh spinach tortillas, set up camp, and then went to the lake for a good few hours of cooling off, dozing, watching families at play, kayakers, SUPers, fishers. Very civilized! And the play went on til sunset for day users and campers alike.
Funny how pooped I was after a relatively short ride (though with 2 pretty big climbs for a total of 18 miles climbing), but with now 9 days straight of riding (each with more than one up and down) and the heat since our first couple days, I think things are catching up with me.
Day 9: Helena, MT, to Park Lake/Helena National Forest campground; 22.5 miles, 6.2 mph avg.
--Alaine
Gorgeous pics! How do you two manage to stay so cute while camping and biking? Alaine, you look like you are headed to a Parisian cafe and not up a big ol' mountain. Also, I'm totally shallow apparently.
ReplyDeleteAh-- you've noticed my new leaf of trying to be ok with the camera. It's something that's taken Paul 24 years to get through toi me. You should see my grimaces and dripping sweat trying to stay forward moving and upright on the hills-- BEFRE the respite!
DeleteShallow?? You?? What? Never!