Day 17 Seeley Lake MT to Lincoln MT

Alarm at 6am, coffee at 7am. Today is all about the ride.

Nic, Mark & I rode out onto the tracks at 7:20 am & stayed together for first 5 miles then stretch time. Though our destination was the same, Lincoln, our pace wasn’t, so I sat back and watched them disappear up through the forest on Cottonwood Lakes dirt road. Once out of site, I set off at my own pace. To load up the calories for today’s ride, both had eaten themselves stupid the night before. I had tried to do the same which did not help with sleep. However it must have worked. By the day’s end, I had completed the 70 miles off-road ride/4500 ft climbs, and still had a few miles left in my legs.

A small mishap on the fast downhill section leading to Ovando. My mobile phone & note pad fell from my handlebar pouch. I finally recovered it 2.5 miles back. A bloody nuisance but ever so thankful.

Just before the town of Ovando, the forest is suddenly left behind and is replaced by ranch/prairie county – just like that. Ever so strange.

I stopped for lunch at Ovando a tiny, beautiful town set in a dip in the middle of a large plane.

Lunch & a call home at Ovando

Here, I was told, they welcome bikers & provide free covered camping & coffee- though I paid 2 bucks for mine!

After many miles of vast open scapes, the ride reentered the forest for a major climb up from 4000 to 7000 ft & finally dropped into back down to another plain & Lincoln at 8pm. The lads flagged me down & gave me a great welcome. A local bar had a large tent set up for bikers & allows use of toilet – so here we camped. I loaded with food then to my bag & sleep. There are many more miles & climbs waiting tomorrow!

The ride today had everything – classic Montana. Wild forests & wastelands, wetlands, remote homesteads & ranches, huge vistas, even a grizzly at close quarters just beyond Ovando. I was told it to be one of a couple that visits town looking for food & worrying locals!