Day 30 – July 12, 2015
Livingston MT to Columbus MT – 80 miles
Bumble Bee – Audrey:
OK we did over 1000 miles. But something hit me today. A low point in the trip. We were pushed by the wind for 80 miles. Did it with not so much effort, one little hill at the end. The scenery was quite spectacular, and the weather was fine, just a little hot towards the end. It also seems a little hotter when you are traveling with the wind. As opposed to head winds that actually cool you off, tail winds do the opposite, there is no breeze when you are riding. Strange. We moved at a pretty good clip about 13-17 mph the whole day.
Yet something hit me today. This is very hard to do. It is not a vacation. There is no time to rest. Even the O Days are filled with necessary activity. Everyday, you ride, get to camp or a motel, unpack to find clean clothing, eat – burgers usually, and got to sleep to do it all over again. That is getting tiring. I am losing motivation to do this. My mind is wandering back to home, my doggies, my bed, a choice of clothing, a hot bath, fresh food, my friends, and yes even my work. I miss it. We have 2700 miles to go, how will I do this?
At first it was all an adventure. Can we camp in a town without a campsite? Can we make it successfully up the mountain Passes? Can we keep moving in the triple digit temperatures? Will my knees and arm hold up for this challenge? All of those questions have been answered. But now it is all up to mental stamina and positive motivation.
This night we arrived in Columbus MT and found a city park campground. We quickly pitched our tent in a shady spot. Well, we did not assess the location because we pitched our tent right below a cotton wood tree. After a windy day where all the cotton blew off the tree and the hot sun has baked it all day, the leaves and the cotton become a gooey mess. The stuff stuck to everything. The bottoms of my flip flops are 1 inch thick with a sticky layer of cotton and leaves.
The campsite itself it OK, but they have no showers. So after a 8 hrs of riding in the heat, with layers of sweat and sun block, we had no where to wash off. We got into our sleeping bags just as sticky has the cotton wood leaves. It was not pleasant. Another factor that is messing with my motivation.
Another day, is upon us. Time to rise, have breakfast, pack, and hit the road. The packing is so tedious. We have systems yet everyday it seems like we have to refine those systems. Dirty cloths expand, and seem to take up more space than they were when the were clean. The extra food always seem to a hassle to repack. Look at the sky and the weather, if we have a signal, is there a chance of rain? Leave pannier covers and rain jacket in a place that is easily accessible. Sun block pouch should be place in the left front pannier for easy access. Bikes are like horses, you push them and park them from one side, the left one.
Ok ready to go. Maybe we will stop in Billings and find a cheap motel? That would be exciting. We could even go to a movie or something else fun that brings my mind a spirit away to another place? Do something “normal” to get off the singularity of ride, eat, unpack, sleep, pack, ride machine. I hope so, I need a break, ever so slightly, from this routine. It is driving me nuts and I am exhausted.
auchandgrog
Hi Mike,
We have decided to make sure there is a shower waiting for us at the end of the day. All other problem are now under control. Since so many of my vacations in this life have been bicycle trips, I guess I have to see it as a vacation even if it is full of struggle and discomfort. When I go someplace to lay by the pool and veg, I get bored fast — that is not my idea of a vacation.
Gregg
auchandgrog
On a bike trip you may want to take showers, cook food, have several changes of clothing/shorts (don’t want to get crouch rot) and of course that chair you guys made me buy. Trying to do your trip like an ultra light backpacker is not worth the lost comfort. Try limiting yourself to something like 30 pounds (that is less than half of what I have had on my bike on this trip). On a bike the main problem with weight is a hill with more than 5% grade.
-Gregg
Pete
Gregg, I would like to use a trailer on the San Fran trip, but think it might be a hassle to bring on the train. I have a Solo Burley Child trailer that’s light, thin, and very foldable. Folks might give me a little more love on the roadway if they think I have a kid in tow. We’ll practice a time or two with just panniers before, to see if the wife can keep the amount of stuff to a minimum. On a typical backpacking trip, I would carry about 8 pounds. I shouldn’t have to be any more than 15 with some tools and extra bike clothing. I should be able to reduce my food weight since we can pick up things along the way. Somehow having the 2nd person along really complicates things, but it sure makes it more enjoyable. Stay safe you guys. No “crosses” in your future.
Mike Williams
Audrey, I agreed with your comment about the trip not being a vacation and the routine of riding, setting up camp, cleaning up(hopefully) cooking, eating, sleeping, breaking camping and repeating. My longest trip with Gregg was Santa Cruz to LA. The rewards are the new sights, the shared experience and solving problems together.
auchandgrog
Hi Pete,
We are the opposite of ultralight. My bike and gear with a load of food must weight nearly 110, maybe more. The only time the weight is a problem is climbing a steep grade. I had to walk part of the steep part of the climb on the first two mountain passes — third pass never got over 5 degrees so it was easy. So ultralight is good but you better be prepared to miss out on those campground comforts. Are you going to use a trailer on your trip. If so, you might want to get a BOB or something similar — narrower might be better down the Big Sur Coast (few shoulders). I have wanted to listen to music on this trip but then I would not be able to hear Audrey yelling at me to stop so she can take a picture. In he end, we came out of the sticky Cotten Wood campground pretty clean. That is except for the bottom of my walking around shoes. The bicycle sandals had to go anyway so not so bad.
Gregg
auchandgrog
Hey Pete. Yep, here we are in Billings Mt! Who would have thought? The riding is fine, feel best on the bike and moving. Today we got to some hot showers. Nice. Now we go for about 300-500 miles of virtual nothingness. The campsties are about 70 miles apart. Tomorrow we hope to get to Custer MT and slepp above the Saloon. They have showers. Campsite in another 20 miles away and primitive. We in California are so fortunate with our facilities. Camping is such a pleasure in our great state.
auchandgrog
Yeah, the Lost Highway, this is how I feel sometimes. Lost. And yes, I am trying to keep the Zen going. When the going gets tough and one more 18 wheeler barrels past me and the dust is flying in my face, I look to the side of the road at the little pieces of grass, the prarie and I think, I am as little as that piece of prarie grass, but I am powerful. Who would have thought that I could ride under my own power, all the way to Billings MT? Here I am, and, I will continue. Hello from Billings to Berlin. So far away yet so close. Hugs.
Dagmar
So there is that one. The magic of a new beginning fades to a new routine. The craziness of the new love (of being on the road! on a bike!! across America!!!) turns into: I know that now, it becomes familiar, the excitement subsiding laying bare the monotony, giving rise to new questions. Cudos for admitting to this. For encouragement just think of all your fellow travelers, the treckers out West from 100 years ago, About Schmidt and Nebraska and The Straight Story and The Lost Highway… I can see that the exhaustion takes its toll. But just keep believing and the zen of bicycle riding will hit you. Out there away from it all and yet part of it in a whole new way. Do it for all us lab rats in the office cubicles dreaming about daring such a ride. You are a giant step ahead of us! Big hug and strength from Berlin.
Pete
I have been/am one of those boys/guys who loves to keep his toys/things just so. Clean, dry, and organized. I’m gonna have to find a way to beat what you are experiencing when I finally long haul. I’ll be interested to hear any solutions you find along the way. Sometimes I think it’s in bringing less stuff (my ultralight coming through), or maybe it’s extra room to organize with a trailer? I’ve experimented with music recently (ipod and speaker on the handlebars). Seems to help a bit with the boredom. I like your game ideas. Maybe it’s time Bumble Bee wrote a book about bike games. 🙂
Pete
Some great things to think about. You guys are really pushing the limits. Day 30? Wow. I’m concerned about our 8-9 days from San Fran even though we’ll have showers and camps every day. Will this get mentally tiring? I know it’s tough. Thanks for keeping up this blog. I look forward each day to seeing it through your eyes/words.