July 26,
2001. Angler's Roost to Missoula, Montana. (55 mi.) Mile 3408
The home of
Adventure Cycling
We're in Missoula this evening, and
glad to be here. Missoula is the home of Adventure Cycling,
the organization that created the Bikecentennial (TransAmerica) Bike Trail 25
years ago, our map makers, the Mecca of Bicycle Touring. We received a warm
welcome at the Adventure Cycling headquarters, where they receive hundreds of
cycle tourists passing through each year. We were encouraged to sign in on the registry, jot down
comments, look at the photo gallery of other cyclists, and have our own
pictures added. They also have a small room where the
cyclists can help themselves to complimentary Internet access, pop, cold water,
and ice cream bars. I had 2 of the latter. While eating them, I noticed that
there was an article in the latest Adventure Cycling magazine on the peculiar
ice cream craving that has afflicted me and other cycle tourists. Willie Weir writes:
"When my bike sat idle, I
could control my cravings, for the most part....but on a bicycle trip, my
desire, my lust, my absolute need for ice cream bordered on manic. There was
just something about that cold combination of milk, fat and sugar that made
ice cream the breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack of champions. Soft-serve,
home-made, premium, bargain-brand. It didn't matter."
We rode through
the Bitterroot Valley to Missoula.
While we were relaxing at Adventure
Cycling headquarters, in came Jen. She had just arrived in town too, and it
turns out, today is her 23rd birthday. She is celebrating by getting a motel
room, and we are too, even though it isn't our birthdays. Mike brought Thai
food back to the motel for the three of us, and we're all kicking back. Jen
plans to continue West tomorrow, while we have plans for a layover day. Our
room has a refrigerator, and we have already filled it with goodies to load up
on calories. Half a bag of Oreos has already been consumed.
The Bitterroot
River five miles south of Missoula.
We feel as if we are in the home
stretch and are beginning to look ahead and contemplate the end of this
incredible journey with both sadness and anticipation.
1) 
2) 
1) Jen Saks
spends part of her 23rd birthday pedaling toward Missoula on her TransAmerica
bike trip. Here she is riding 8 miles of paved bike trail paralleling US 93.
2) Outside the
Adventure Cycling headquarters.
