"How far did we go today Jake?"
"72...73 miles or so?"
"Not bad."
"Yes, a good days cycling... I didn't enjoy any of it."
"No."
We were up and ready to leave in record time this morning, as we took advantage of the hotel restaurant which opened at 6am. We were on the road for 0720 and saw nothing for 45 miles. A 20mph headwind fought us all the way. It conveniently changed direction as we took the few turns in the route so it remained in our faces all day. The going was slow but steady, and the joints didn't give too much trouble thankfully.
We left Milk River behind and started following the Missouri River to Wolf Point. At lunch we took advantage of the McDonalds WiFi to research the next town to camp, which looked pretty basic with no official camping and a declining population of 70 at the 2001 census. I also contacted a few potential WarmShowers hosts for tomorrow evening in Glendive.
After lunch we turned off Route 2 for the last time (with a long sigh of relief after being on it since Columbia Falls before West Glacier!) We headed South and the trusted headwind turned from Easterly to Southerly at the same time.
Crossing the Missouri River Jake and Owen paused on the bridge to look at an old disused bridge adjacent to us. Distracted by the map I braked too late and went into the back of Owen, almost losing my balance backwards. It was only when I looked behind did I see the foot high token crash barrier and how I nearly went for a swim in the Missouri!
A minor accident earlier in the day also saw Owens rear mudguard get snapped and that is a future project to repair on a rest day.
The road was arrow straight from here on with no settlements until Vida. We did get some excitement out of watching a thunderstorm develop to our Right which crept towards us as we rode on. Plenty of lightning and thick sheets of rain. This spurred us on to bypass the main body of the storm to save us a period of lying on the tick-strewn grass to avoid the lightning (we are the tallest things for miles). We got to Vida just in time, were happy to see a small bar which served food and offered us a patch of grass to pitch up. We are now sheltering inside away from the rain.
Fingers crossed for a let up in the headwind tomorrow. Around 79 miles to Glendive.
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