Today's ride was mostly flat as we headed east out of Helena on our way to Three Forks, MT. Today we traveled through East Helena, Winston, Townsend, and Toston before finally entering Three Forks, MT which is actually about three miles off of the Adventure Cycling Maps we are using. There was a strong headwind and a lot of construction on the road, so the going was a little slower than usual. We are staying at the Broken Spur Motel on Elm St, Three Forks, MT. Everyone arrived safely but most were very tired. It was a long day in the saddle.
Bill K had a lot of issues today with his bicycle...he blew a tire, and blew up several tubes and then he lost a screw to his cleat and then he had a few more flats before the day was through. However, the scenery was wonderful. The view of the mountains surrounding us just took my breath away. I now understand why Montana is called the Big Sky state!
The view is just unbelieveable!
I could just look and stare for days!
It just gets better and better!
and better!
and better!
and better!
Three Forks is a city in Gallatin County, Montana and is located in the watershed of both the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. It is historically considered the the start of the Missouri River. The city is so named because it lies geographically near the point, in nearby Missouri Headwaters State Park, where the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin Rivers converge to form the Missouri River. The rivers, were named by Merriweather Lewis in 1805, for President Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State James Madison and Treasury Secretary Albert Gallatin. Honored in Three Forks, Sacagawea is best known as the interpreter and guide for the Lewis and Clark Expedition. In 1800, she was captured by the Mennetaree tribe near present day Three Forks but she later returned with Lewis & Clark and the Corps of Discovery. The circumstances surrounding her return are a little murky but just the same, a statue of Sacagawea sits in the park off of Main Street.
The town of Winston, MT was where a number of the riders stopped to rest after fighting the head winds for almost 30 miles. They gathered at the Winston Store which was the only place around for miles.
Right next to the store was this historical marker and these informational signs about Lewis & Clark;
The Missouri River; and
a welcome message about how the town of Winston came to be.
This sign I found unique because most Lewis & Clark signs do not include Sacagawea and her child Pompey.
Tomorrow we are off to Bozeman, MT jsut about 30 or so miles from here.
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