Day 12 Butte to Twin Rivers

54 miles (87 km) – Total so far: 612 miles (985 km)

This KOA will not only be the most expensive campsite I use on this trip but also the noisiest. There’s a 10 pm curfew on any noise which is observed strictly in most places, but not here. Also it is near the Interstate. This American auto-fixation continues to drive me crazy. It is a rarity to find a motorcycle that has let the silencer on its exhaust. In these small towns the kids make their cars as noisy as possible also.

Before the storm last night I had called in to see Rob in Outside Sport about the deraillier problem. He thought the hanger was bent, and recommended I went to the Canondale specialist in town. Therefore it was slightly later up than usual and up the big hill into town to the Big Beaver. Ed was in corporate real estate in Utah but became disaffected with hiring and firing and gave it all in to run a bike shop, and never have any employees again. He tinkered with the bike for almost an hour trying a new hanger, but in the end convinced it was a bigger job long term, new shifter needed. For these bikes they are $300 here probably more in the UK, and he didn’t have any. For now it’s fixed up as well as it can be.

Departure therefore was 11 am, down the hill, across I-90 and leaving Butte headed south on old highway 2. After 10 miles it climbs and crosses the Divide at 6,453 feet, just short of 2,000 metres. My second Divide crossing. I’m taking the chance to take a leak on the very divide point. That way half of it goes to the Pacific and half to the Atlantic. After Pipestone pass, a big downhill and a right on 41. I was into the wind until after about 10 miles on 41 then it supported me, coming from the north-east. This part of the ride is now in the valley of the Jefferson River, passing through only one small town all day, Silver Star.

Twin Bridges is a great place for cyclists. There is free camping at the park by the river with a shower and some trees for shade. It was mid 30s all day, and I had started late which hadn’t helped. Right now, I think another storm is coming, a bit later than yesterday’s and the first in these parts for many days. The winds are up and the sky is darkening. Could be a good time to see what beers lurk in the Twin Bridges bars.

Distance 54 miles Ride time 4 hours, 1 minute Average Speed 12.3 mph Max Speed 34.7 mph Departed 11 am, arrived 3:30 pm Altitude 1378 metres