mountain – One Wheel Man

Today’s going to be a good day. Why? Because 10 is my favorite number!

I left Jefferson City at 8:30am. Because Helena is Montana’s capital (and also because they were doing construction on a bridge and there was no way I was going to cross that) I decided to go a highway route again. Only to find that they were working on that too; it was a dirt road. A kind worker told me the way wasn’t paved the rest of the way. (Note to self: I’ve really got to study the map better and plan my routes on paved roads.) Luckily that cross-section met up with Interstate 15 just down the road, and it was passed the construction, so I hopped back on it.

After Helena is uphill. Really, it was a mountain. It got hot real fast. The red rock scenery (picture on left) with a nearby creek made up for it. I rode the whole way up! (picture on right with mountain behind) Afterwards, I thought to myself, “I made it up a really big mountain. I am really proud of myself. I didn’t think I was going to make it. One pedal at a time. I think that’s how life is sometimes.” I think I’m much more prepared for the coast to coast trip. However, on that note, again, I must have a brake for that trip. Period.

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I made it to Wolf Creek, Montana before 3:30pm. Good timing. I’ve noticed that I haven’t had to ride in the evening yet due to not meeting at least 50 miles a day. Tomorrow is supposed to have scattered thunderstorms, so we’ll see what happens with that tomorrow. Hopefully, it’s not a day 1 repeat!

Day 10 EU red rock Day 10 river

Day 10 Stats:

Started at 8:30am in Jefferson City, MT

Ended at 3:20pm in Wolf Creek, MT

5 hours of riding

52.5 miles

Random Fact:

Unicycling all started when James Stanley invented a bicycle in 1866, called the Penny Farthing. It’s that big wheel with a tiny wheel behind, pretty much a unicycle in training!

After our drive back to Silver Star, Montana from Butte, I started riding at 7:45am in 54°F weather. I was on roll! I just kept going and going and going! I didn’t even stop for lunch until after 1pm when I’d been riding for over 50 miles in five and a half hours. Whew! I have to admit, though, I didn’t eat the best last night and felt a bit sick during some of it. Luckily I had some Pepto Bismol to help me make it through. Lesson learned: stick to the diet.

Day 9 cold

After a quick restroom break in Whitehall, Montana, I found some other cyclists! There were lots of them riding today with KRG vans stationed along the way. I don’t know what race they’re doing, but best of luck to them too! They weren’t going too fast, so I was able to keep up with them somewhat. 😉

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Day 9 cyclists

Before lunch, there was a detour I had to take and there were way too many mosquitos! I put on bug spray and everything, but they seemed to want it like sugar! I can’t even tell you how many times I got bit. Too many, that’s for sure!

I wanted to keep going after lunch, so I did another stretch. This time, I took Interstate-15. My first time on the freeway, and I didn’t die! Yay! I am lucky that Montana’s roads aren’t too busy. However, shortly after I began I found myself heading into a mountain. You know what that means, huge climb! It went up about 1000 feet within 3 miles and back down the whole amount over 5 miles. Like I’ve mentioned before, going downhill on a unicycle, especially without a brake, is very difficult. I was going so fast! Literally, 14.5 miles per hour and I just hoped and prayed I wouldn’t fall off! I felt like I was on a roller coaster! That was some crazy time.

Day 9 I-15

Day hilly

The picture on the bottom is what I consider a fun and easy hilly area. I wish that’s what I meant by all these hilly times…it’s a lot harder than this.

I made it successfully to Jefferson City, Montana at 3:35pm. I completed 66 miles again! Awesome! I’ve done 500 miles!! Woohoo!! Roughly 220 miles left to get to the Canada border. Wow. I can’t believe I’ve made it this far already! I can do this!

Day 9 Stats:

Started at 7:45am in Silver Star, MT

Ended at 3:35pm in Jefferson City, MT

5.75 hours of riding (Personal Record time!)

66 miles

Random Fact:

There are different sizes of unicycles. The tires can be anywhere between 12 to 36 inches. You can also find some that are around 5-7 feet tall (seat) or even double or triple wheeled (upwards). Lots of variety.