I Have Arrived in Mecca

After a twenty year wait, I have fianlly arrived in touring-cyclist Mecca; Missoula, Montana.

Why is it Mecca? Missoula is the home of the offices of the Adventure Cycling Association (formerly BikeCentennial). BikeCentennial began in 1973 with a plan to create a cycling route across the US, and in 1976 several groups of riders crossed this huge continent on bicycles to celebrate the nation's bicentennial. There are now three major west to east routes and many other routes, including one that follows the Continental Divide.

Cyclists from all over the globe pass through every year.

Missoula is home to the University of Montana, and is a "blue" island in a very "red" state. It is one of the most wonderful cities I have ever visited, and has lived up to my expectations. It was even worth the effort of cycling 450 miles in five days to arrive in time to take two days off for R&R. The food's great and so is the beer, and there are bicycles everywhere one cares to look.

The Adventure Cycling office is a gathering spot for weary cross-country bikers. The cyclist lounge is a place to sit and enjoy cold water, free drinks, and free ice cream. With the temperatures hovering around 90 degrees, it is a welcome distraction.

Having only seen six cyclists in the past 2000 miles, it was nice to actaually talk to other people who are traveling by bike. I feel a lttle less alien when I can share adventures with others who are going through the same ordeals that I encounter on my journey.

I met two cyclist yesterday. Nick Evans from Virginia who is riding from Oregon back to Virginia on a Bontrager mountain bike with a BOB trailer. His web site is here.

I also met a guy named Dustin, who is riding a fixxer from the East Coast to the West Coast. For the uninitiated; a fixxer is a fixed-gear bicycle that is only one speed, and cannot coast. Dustin is my new hero. He gave me his web address, but I don't have it here with me. I'll post it at a later date. On his return to California, he intends to build bike frames and create a line of cycling gear that is going to be very cool.

I had two flats in the first 2000 miles of the trip. On my triumphant entrance into Missoula, I had two flats in the space of three miles. I blame it on seven ugly miles of Interstate 94, which is littered with debris and heavily traveled by lumber trucks and RVs.

Tomorrow, which is Saturday the 29th, I go forth into the Rockies and the high deserts of Idaho. Looks like another 750 miles of not very much except some of the most beautiful scenery in the country and long distances between water stops. This is a great big beautiful place. May we soon get the Corporatists out of the halls of our government and replace them with sensible people who are interested in preserving what's left of the beauty.