Safe Return Doubtful

It is the end of another course. Time to look back briefly, and set it into the annals.

I always like to finish with Marco Polo’s words: “But, I have not told you the half of it”.

8 Divide Crossings, the highest being the Milner Pass at 10,759 feet on the Trail Ridge road that went to my highest point, 12,184 feet. The highest through highway in North America.

Total Distance: 1,458 miles Total Ride time: 122 hours 40 minutes, Max Speed: 45.3 mph, Height gained: 43,000 feet (13,100 metres), Average Speed 11.89 mph

Best Sections to Ride

Highway 125 between Walden and Granby, Colorado Going to the Sun Road, Glacier National Park, Montana Trail Ridge Road, Colorado

Best Campgrounds

Twin Rivers Riverside Rising Sun, Glacier National Park

Best Restaurant: When I Rome – Bigfork, Montana

Best Bar: The Ranch – West Yellowstone

Best Atmosphere: Ovando, Montana

Best Relevant Books: Train Dreams – Denis Johnson Fourth of July Creek – Smith Henderson

Longest Day: 83 miles (6 hours, 53 minutes ride time) Flagg Ranch – Dubois, Wyoming

Best Beers

G’Knight IPA – Oskar Blues Brewery, Lyons, Colorado Moose Drool Brown Ale – Big Sky Brewing Company, Montana Wooly Booger Brown Ale – Grand Lake Brewery, Colorado Cold Smoke Porter – Kettlehouse Brewery, Montana

Others from: Flathead Brewery, Going to the Sun Brewery, Red Lodge Bent Nail IPA, Snake River Brewery, Ranger IPA, New Belgian Brewery, Deviant Dales IPA, Oskar Blues Brewery, Fresh Squeeze IPA, Deschutes Brewery, And several more.

Best Photographs:

The Going to the Sun Road – a view from the top (the Hidden Lake)

Mid-morning break on the road south out of Bigfork, Montana

At the highest point, 12,184 feet on the Trail Ridge Road