Day 11 – Rest Day in Missoula, MT

No miles — just rest, recovery, and a reset in Missoula! It was wonderful to step off the bike and take a deep breath. Steve’s travels were delayed, but he eventually made it, and it was so great to see him. He did my laundry while I went for a much-needed massage 💕💕💕.

The buzz in our group was all about Lemon Laundry — supposedly the best laundromat in the U.S. Missoula lived up to its reputation with a gorgeous river running through town. From our hotel balcony we watched people floating and paddleboarding — it was wonderful to have the time to soak it all in.

In the evening, Steve and I enjoyed a wonderful dinner with my new friend Letitia. One of the best parts of this trip has been meeting these amazing people who also signed up to spend 47 days on a bike. Shared miles build fast friendships, and I know some of these will last a lifetime.

Day 12 – Missoula, MT to Helena, MT

Miles: 116 mi
Elevation Gain: 4,961 ft

Today’s Ride
Brutal. That’s the best way to describe it. We rolled out around 7:15 a.m. and didn’t pull into Helena until nearly 4:45 p.m. — a full day in the saddle.

The scenery was beautiful, with pine forests and rivers, but the roads were another story: bumpy pavement, narrow shoulders, and plenty of high-speed traffic. As if that wasn’t enough, Montana gave us a climb, MacDonald Pass, at mile 95, into a headwind and heat. By the time we reached the hotel, it was all business: eat something, shower, wash my kit and my water bottles, charge all the electronics, dinner, compression sleeves, blog, and bed.

Highlights

🌄 Gorgeous views leaving Missoula
🚴 Pushing through rough roads and late-day climbing with grit and camaraderie
🛏 Ending in Helena, which turned out to be a charming spot for the night

116 miles and nearly 5,000 feet of climbing takes everything out of you. I’m exhausted but proud — and looking forward to a “short” 88 miles tomorrow. For now, it’s time to sleep, recover, and get ready to do it again.

Thanks for all your love, support and energy! 😘