September 5, 2024 – The Highway is a DEATHTRAP!

    I took the backroads out of Beach. I got to see some really scenic views of the Badlands and farming country. I bypassed Wibaux and went straight to Glendive. In Glendive, I ate at a fast food restaurant called Re-Treat. I got a bacon cheeseburger, a large order of fires, and a Pepsi. It was a little pricy, but the food filled up the tank. I camped at Jaycee City Park on the westside of the Yellowstone River. I met an old couple there who were walking their dog underneath the canopies of the ginormous cottonwood trees in the park. They were a very kind couple. They paid attention to their every step and moved very slowly. They were amazed at my bicycle adventure. It was humbling to meet them. I see how so quickly we grow old, and the things we take for granted, like walking a dog in a park, become difficult tasks to undertake. Life is so short. I am thankful, the Lord has given me the health and the opportunity to go on such an epic adventure. I see now, that in due time, I won't be able to do such an adventure. I'm glad that I am doing it, but at the same time much more cautious. I can not stand to ride my bicycle on a moderate or high-traffic road. This used to not phase me in my younger years, but now, riding in traffic is absolutely miserable, almost retarded, and highly frightening...more on this in a few....

    I left Glendive in the morning, and I rode on Highway 200S to Lindsay. The traffic was terrible and the shoulders on the road were almost non-existent. So, in Lindsay, after stopping and chatting with ranchers and farmers at the farmer's co-op, I decided to take the back-gravel-roads to get to Brockway. The back roads are much more physically challenging to ride, but they are a 100 times more safe than riding on the highway. Also, the back roads are much more scenic. You can appreciate the land so much more because you aren't constantly worried about getting hit by a car. I loved the ride from Lindsay to Brockway; absolutely glorious landscapes. As soon as I got into Brockway the winds really picked up, so I took shelter at an outhouse of the town hall and community center. The buildings haven't been used in quite some time, and almost every structure is seriously dilapidated and falling down. The outhouse had three toilets and a urinal with plenty of floor space. There was no foul odor because the outhouse hadn't been used in several years. There was a a very chilly draft as the wind rushed through the cracks in the wooden structure. Nonetheless, I was able to get some sleep. Also, it kept me, my bike, and my gear dry as it rained for a while during the night. I managed to get a little bit of sleep, and I was ready for riding in the morning, or so I thought.

    I decided to give Montana Highway 200S another shot from Brockway to Jordan. The backroads from Brockway to Jordan was about 25-30 miles longer than the highway. So, I opted for the highway. What a terrible idea. Today was absolutely dreadful. I almost wanted to throw in the towel for the remainder of the expedition. My morale decreased with every big-rig and RV that passed by going 70 mph or faster. I really almost died. I was riding across a bridge. A tractor trailer was coming straight at me and in the other lane was a pick-up truck and trailer. The tractor-trailer couldn't get over and they both passed by me at the same time. And to top it off, there was no shoulder on the bridge. As soon as the big-rig approached, I dismounted my bike, and I tried to jump over the guardrail. I got one leg over the guardrail, and then the truck zoomed by me with in a couple feet. It almost careened right into me. It was the closest call I've had the entire trip. Lesson learned: I've go to stay off the highways and stick to the dirt and gravel back roads. even if this strategy increases trip distance substantially, I can't take anymore chances.

    So, tomorrow I'm heading back off into the Montana wilderness on the back roads. The Google cycling maps has come up with a route from Jordan to Great Falls. The route is about 305 miles long. This scenic route is about 70 miles longer than the Highway 200S route. So, I'm asking the Lord for strength, safe passage, and endurance to get through this section of the bicycle tour. Dear Lord, please help me on this journey. In Jesus' name, amen.