47 miles (76 km) – Total so far: 659 miles (1,061 km)
Storms threatened throughout the evening but never arrived. There were 5 other cyclists at the site. It’s a great idea to set up free camping, and some facilities. The people staying all spend their money in town anyway, and something pretty unique and to be proud of. There were two from Atlanta riding the Trans Am on their 77th day, with 20+ to go. Male and female in their 50s at least, and obviously just friends, or travelling together, separate tents a long way form each other and didn’t speak to each other much. Also a quiet Columbian, Juan, also riding the Trans Am. This next part of my ride is on the Trans Am, until Grant Village. The Trans Am is one of the routes started and maintained by Adventure Cycling. Their HQ is in Missoula, and the riders are only a couple of days from there now, so getting excited about their free ice cream.
There were also two young guys, an American and a Scotsman who had met up earlier in the afternoon and decided to finish their days here and get on the Bourbon. Dangerous indeed. They were still going when I went to bed at 9:30, but absolutely no sign from them this morning. They are headed in opposite directions, the Scot is headed my way, quite keen to keep ahead of him.
The bars and restaurants in Twin Bridges don’t match the camping unfortunately, though there was Big Sky IPA and decent ice cream.
All day today the road climbed, gradually through the small towns of Sheridan and Alder, then a little more up to the touristy Nevada Creek and Virginia City, then as steeply as anything I’ve done so far for 3 miles up to 2,100 meters, almost 7,000 feet. From there the best descent yet, dropping 600 metres in 6 miles, and a new record Max speed.
Ennis has decent camping, a great spot by the Madison River, but no drinking water. The town looks interesting, busier than Twin Bridges, so with two or three alternatives.
Distance 47 miles, Ride Time 4 hrs 10 minutes, Average Speed 11.2 mph, Max Speed 45.3 mph, Departed 9:15 am, arrived 2:30 pm. Altitude 1508 metres
Passed through a few small towns today, this one, Sheridan
Still following the Great Northern Railroad – this part well and truly out of use.
There’s no shoulder on the road here for 30 miles or so, so it would make a fantastic bike path
Nevada City
This was big gold mining territory – once had a population of more than 10,000
Now is a tourist attraction with old time saloon, music halls
An old Great Northern carriage – Virginia City
Virginia City
Lemonade stop before the big hill at Virginia City
Views down into the Madison Valley – 7 mile downhill
The town of Ennis
Campsite by the Madison River
Safe Return Doubtful 
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