September 4: Bowman, North Dakota to Miles City, Montana
The plan today was to ride a nice, easy 46 miles to Baker, Montana. A spur of the moment change of plans resulted in a 127 mile ride to Miles City, Montana.
Thanks to easier terrain and a nice wind from the southeast pushing me sideways, but also forward, we arrived in Baker at about 11 AM. Pat had already scoped out what Baker had to offer and it was not a promising place for two weary travellers on Labor Day weekend. The services that we would need — restaurants and/or grocery stores — were not open due to the holiday.
So, we took stock of the situation. On highway 12, the nearest towns with lodging were Bowman, North Dakota and Miles City, Montana. The former was where we started this morning and the latter was 81 miles further west. Hmmm. Not good choices. But, the temperatures were pretty mild — highs in the low 80’s. The terrain was looking pretty flat. Plus, the tailwind was a big help all morning and kept me cruising along at 20+ miles per hour on the flat stretches.
I had no idea if the terrain would remain flat or even if the wind would stay a tailwind, but I decided to go for it. Pat agreed to stay close and stop every 10-15 miles or so. That would allow me to travel light — all I had to do is carry water and food for a 15-20 mile ride.
So, eight and a half hours and 127 miles after leaving Bowman this morning, I was riding a long descent into Miles City, Montana. I actually felt pretty good when I arrived. Given the length of this ride, you might be particularly interested in the ride data from today. Unfortunately, my cyclometer chose this day to freeze up so I’m missing the elevation data from the last 11 miles. So, in this ride profile graph shown below, what you won’t see is the final 11 mile descent into Miles City (elevation 2358).
| Total distance: | 127.32 miles |
|---|---|
| Time: | 8:26:57 |
| Average speed: | 13.6 mph |
| Maximum speed: | 32.7 mph |
| Total calories: | 7810 |
| Average heart rate: | 114 bpm |
| Maximum heart rate: | 147 bpm |
| Total ascent: | 3448 feet |
| Total descent: | 3271 feet |
| Ride profile: |  (click on image to view a larger version) |
| Ride comments: Winds were from the south southeast so they were mostly helpful. |
|
You might also be interested in my blood sugar readings on such a long ride.
- 80 (6:22 AM) — fasting
- 103 (7:52 AM) — pre-ride
- 132 (8:52 AM)
- 181 (9:31 AM)
- 134 (11:42 AM)
- 154 (12:42 PM)
- 114 (2:09 PM)
- 153 (3:50 PM)
- 142 (4:42 PM) — post-ride
- 120 (6:00 PM) — pre-dinner
Finally, here’s a link to all of the photos from today’s ride:
September 4: Bowman, North Dakota to Miles City, Montana Photos
September 5th, 2006 at 5:59 am
It is about time you rode over 100 miles in one day, you have been taking it easy so far. (ha,ha)
Nice Job!
September 5th, 2006 at 7:44 am
Embrace those tail winds when you get them!!!!!!!!!
Fire conditions from the Derby fire are getting worse. It is now rated the worst/biggest fire in the US. Sports teams are cancelling practice or working out inside. Here’s a link to the view from the Bozeman pass on I-90 between Bozeman and Livingston:
http://rwis.mdt.mt.gov/scanweb/Camera.asp?Pageid=Camera&Units=English&Groupid=150000&Siteid=564002&Senid=&WxId=5642
We cannot see the mountains from Bozeman. I have skipped riding outside. Visability is about 1 mile. Some fire officials have suggested that Winter is the only force that will end this fire, as happened with the Yellowstone Fire in the 90s.
Here is a short news story:
Montana fire forces evacuations
Associated Press
September 5, 2006
BIG TIMBER, Mont. — An enormous wildfire that has prompted the evacuation of hundreds of people continued to spread Monday.
The south-central Montana blaze has burned 26 homes and is classified as the nation’s No. 1 firefighting priority.
It has spread across 180,000 acres, or more than 280 square miles, since lightning sparked it Aug. 22. It was about 20 percent contained, authorities said.
About 265 homes were evacuated in just a few hours Sunday night on the western flank of the fast-moving blaze, said Kelly O’Connell, Sweet Grass County disaster and emergency services coordinator.
About 770 firefighters and support personnel are working the blaze.
Copyright © 2006, Chicago Tribune
We have expereinced as much as 7 hours of I-90 closures, and the other highways south could also close, depending upon wind speeds and directions. Monitor it daily and consider possibly just driving around part of it if necessary.
September 5th, 2006 at 7:51 am
Another good map site:
http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/incident.php?fireID=MT-GNF-000047
September 5th, 2006 at 8:41 am
Hi Pete,
127 miles! You must secretly be getting ready for Lotoja. Is this your longest day?
Peter
September 5th, 2006 at 9:12 am
I’m amazed at your daily calorie consumption. That’s a lot of bananas and bagels! How are you finding food along the way?
Bee
September 5th, 2006 at 12:55 pm
Hi Peter,
After a Century plus ride, and feeling good with great blood sugars it seems like you are on a roll, keep it up.
Best regards,
Florian