Short day into Butte to resupply, clean my body and my bike, recharge the batteries, and see Melissa.
Big ups to Austin at the Derailed Bike Shop for getting my derailer back in good working order and for the fresh brake pads. (I have a fresh set in my next resupply box 120 miles hence, but burned through the current pads much faster than expected.)
Today was everything I hoped the CDT would be. I rode my bike for 11 hours and every minute of it on good quality singletrack. Several of the descents were fun on par with the Butte 100 sections in terms of fun—great sightlines, fast smooth trail, and perfect grades. Much of what I ride today is somewhat recently constructed, which adds to the fun—fewer rocks and roots, fewer water bars, more swoops, and more ridable grades.
This is the stretch of trail that first inspired my imagination of a CDT ride—a continuous ribbon of moderate trails open to bikes between Butte and Helena. I’m passing sections of familiar trail, and filling gaps between. It all very much feels an adventure in my backyard at the moment. The Boulder are not the most dramatic or spectacular mountains, but the riding is exceptional.
Feeling lucky and grateful—great weather (minus the first two days) and so, so many trees have been cleared from the trail this season.
The first 10 miles today were mostly on roads and mostly downhill—quick if not noteworthy miles. I missed the turn onto the CDT and continued another 1.5 miles on roads before returning to the trail. The trail returned to its isolated singletrack character, with some steep ups and downs, and a neat old railroad trussel (??) decaying into itself. Once back on the CDT, the pace slowed but remained pleasant to the fast descent from the radio towers down to MacDonald Pass.
The first 3 miles after MacDonald Pass have some significant rock gardens to test one’s skills and bravery. The next three miles would have been far more ridable if not for a bunch of downed trees. Upon reaching the burned area at Jericho Mountain the CDT turned into easy for the next 8 or so miles of mostly climbing, before turning off onto a newer and fun stretch of trail, Joe Bowers.
Joe Bowers would have been a nightmare if not for the recent chainsaw ministrations of some trail angel or agency staff. It was fun, lively riding, with many dozens of fresh sawdust piles along the way. Overall, I’ve passed more sawdust piles than downed trees on this trip—for which I’m so grateful.
Navigation is definitely proving tricky. A proper bike computer would help (I’m just using my running GPS), but the main issue is that the trail is marked for people who are walking.
Also grateful to have a tent on this trip. It has rained on me nearly every night and nothing beats a rainstorm while cozy inside a tent.
So far perhaps the one item I’ve brought along that I haven’t used is my headlamp!
Currently listening: The Ezra Klein Show Current range: Boulder Mountains
Stopped off in Lincoln last night for a warm shower and to wash my clothes. Picked up my resupply box this morning and peddled up Stemple Pass. You can imagine my excitement to finally get on the CDT proper today.
The landscape provided an immediate sense of being on the crown of the continent with vast valleys falling off either side and a long ridge ahead.
The landscape also felt familiar—back in the land of lodgepole pines and granite bedrock!
I managed to make it all of a few miles before taking myself on a long detour. I’m beginning to suspect that many causes of delay on this trip will be unique, but my affinity for persistent folly may be a theme. Let’s just pretend that I decided I really wanted to see Llama Ranch!
Some trail angel had cleared the first 10+ miles of trail, which made for very enjoyable riding. I even managed to stay mostly dry and avoid the worst of the evening thunderstorms.
Overall, very stoked to have reached the main event.
Ha! What a day. I’ve been looking forward to Falls Canyon from the outset. It’s my one truly unique contribution to my route—a slight detour off the GDMBR to ride some truly excellent and seldom ridden single track.
The climb up Falls Canyon and the descent down Lake Creek Trail didn’t disappoint. Falls Canyon is very ridable and exposes some interesting geology. The Lake Creek descent is techy, fun, and serves up some spectacular views.
Aside from my legs looking like they might have been extras from The Passion of the Christ due the bushes at the bottom, this section went great.
Then… I had occasion to learn something about myself: though I am often persistent, I lack that should be the companion and guide of persistence: judgment. In fact, truth be told, I am more likely to persist in a bad idea than a good one. In my hopes of finding a way to avoid 30 minutes of extra road riding, I spent three hours bumping into private property, cursing, getting lost, and humping my bike over downed trees in the woods. What should have been a chill day ending in Lincoln by 3 PM turned into a full day ordeal. Eventually I did find a route through, and definitely wish I hadn’t even tried in the first place.
Treated myself to a hotel room and hamburger in Lincoln.
Listening to: my entire catalog of Spotify “liked” songs.
