Day 10: Missoula to Darby, MT
- Carol Olausen
- Jun 10, 2021
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 27, 2021
Distance: 65 miles
Elevation +1783 / -1081
Temperature: 45
Well, we knew it was going to be a rough day, and it was. Nevertheless, we kitted up in all of our rain gear to brave the miles on our bikes.
It rained from the time we left Missoula (8:30AM) until about 2PM, when we were outside of Hamilton, MT. Our route took us along the Bitterroot Trail, which paralleled route 93 out of Missoula.
This meant that for most of the route, we were next to the highway, working our way to Darby. About 4 miles out of Hamilton, we got off of the trail, and took some really beautiful back roads that opened up to beautiful vistas and beautiful mountain homes, even if we couldn’t always see the tops of the mountains because of the rain/clouds.
For most of today we were wet, cold, and tired from the wet and cold. There aren’t a lot of pictures, because it’s really hard to take off wet gloves to take a picture and then get them back on again!
This is irony:
Highlights:
1. We made it to Darby, safe and sound.
2. There were a lot of cows and horses to see, and they seemed friendly and intrigued by our presence.
3. Convenience stores cater to hunters, so there were hand and foot warmers to be found everywhere, even if they didn’t really last very long in the wet.
4. Wide brimmed sun hats are great for keeping the rain off of your face.
5. Some of our waterproof gear proved to actually be waterproof!
6. It stopped raining.
7. There’s a candy store in Darby that’s awesome.
8. The guy at the sporting goods store was very friendly and let us know everyone comes to Darby from around the world.
9. Dinner was on a covered patio with one of those big furnace things right next to the table. Ahhh.
10. Steve cleaned our bikes for us! :-)
Lowlights.
1. Wet. Like the kind of wet where water would pool in the fingertips of our gloves until we wrang them out, and water and sand were pooled in our shoes.
2. Cold. Because the water in our gloves and shoes wasn’t going anywhere, and the temps were low.
3. Headwind
4. Some of our waterproof gear was not.
5. The hotel didn’t have hot water. Just warm water. :(
Views of the mountains around Darby, which got snow today.
Closing thoughts brought to you by MK:
Wow: 45 and wet! You are all amazing. So inspiring. Glad it is not me. Love the posts and pics! Hope today was better!
I met a boat captain in Astoria, Oregon while walking BACK to a restaurant to see if I could find my wallet (didn't) who reminded me that you don't remember the fair weather days...and for you guys that ix pretty literal. The next day MJ and I had lunch at a restaurant with one of those glorious heaters as we ate on an outside deck overlooking the water and the owner brought us wool blankets. So good to hear you all made it safely and could actually warm up. You all looked beautiful in your rain (sun) gear and the pictures managed to be spectacular again.
Glad you made it safely. That’s one of those days that builds character — more fun after it’s done.