Looks worse than it is

8/30 57F at start 92F at finish

Browning, MT to Chester, MT 101 miles Flat like we haven’t seen flat.

Leaving the Blackfeet Reservation was a breeze… literally. Wide shoulders and a good wind at our back we cruised the 34 miles into Cut Bank, MT for Breakfast #2 at the Big Sky Cafe.
Since it was the first day of school. the cafe was a buzz with the 3rd Annual Retired Cut Bank Teachers gathering. Dozens of ladies and gentlemen (mostly ladies) had come together simply express the joy of being a retired teacher.

Today’s ride was very different from all our previous days. It was devoid of all natural geological features. Unless you consider flat and straight a feature. A grain elevator and a supper club qualifies as a town.
Day highlights

– race between a deer crossing the highway and the front of a pick-up truck.

– Mr. Shriver doing his patented pelvic thrust stretch on the sidewalk adjacent to the C-Store

– The Great Northern Inn B&B in Chester, MT

We did find some exceptional real estate for Kevin’s brothers. 4.3 acres 4 bd rooms 2 bath 32,000 or best offer. Look closely at the for sale sign: LOOKS WORSE THAN IT IS.

The absence of a “Pass” or thrilling decent allows one’s mind to wander as you chew up the miles.

Which leads me to the subject of “bottom maintenance”. I know it’s been on your mind… so let’s address this straight on. I warn you it’s cautionary tail.

Someone much smarter than I can calculate the physics. But the force on the riders butt is impressive. Good bike shorts with a well designed chamois is critical as is the anti-chafing cream dubbed “Butt Butter”.

I learned this all the hard way. By the third day my bottom was in shreds, skin sticking to the bike shorts each time I lifted off the saddle.

I had brought two pair of bike shorts. One new “high end” pair and a older pair I had used all summer training for the ride. Day 3, I wore the old pair. Big mistake. No problem, I’ll care for this with various creams I brought from home… these proved to be woefully inadequate.

Now Day 12… after a week of quality bike shorts and regular application of Butt Butter, I can thankfully say my bum is in good order. Albeit a bit tender from the eight hours a day in the saddle.

pb