T1 Day 20 (Liz)

 6/26/2023

“Anyone who says it’s all downhill once you get over the Rockies clearly hasn’t biked across the country.” - Kayla


Our wonderful warm showers host (they are always the coolest/ kindest people) made us breakfast and drove us to the edge of town to start our ride. Although we’d typically say no thanks to a ride, the warm showers was off our route by a few miles and we were tired from yesterday. The 56ish miles from Great Falls to Stanford, MT were all up and down and up again. We took it slow as we were all hurting and in need of a “recovery” ride. 


To pass time, we made phone calls to parents, significant others, and friends. We found that it was a great distraction from the climb ahead. If anyone reading this wants to chat just call me up! (I’ll probably be biking.) When I wasn’t on the phone I was teaching myself to whistle, I’ve only figured out one note so far.


There were dark clouds looming over us the whole day and we know how rough it can be to get caught in a storm, so we sought shelter in the tiny towns we passed. We ate lunch at a gas station that looked abandoned but the pumps actually worked. Then we stopped at a dive bar for soda and fries. It was the only place to go in the town of Geyser. 


As we were getting close to Stanford, Keelin and I were chatting when I heard a bang and then Keelin’s classic “oh gosh”. Keelin took a tumble! (The guard rail got in her way.) But she was up and laughing instantly with only one bruise to show for it. 


When we made it to the RV park we settled in and hung out in the laundry room (our new favorite hang out spot). What we really want is an animated movie night on someones couch (let us know if you know anyone in Eastern MT who would host us). But for now we’ll keep biking! 

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