Jim's Ride Across America: Day 47 Virginia City, MT to Jackson, MT

Yorktown, VA to Jackson, MT Miles Ridden 3,137
Average 68.0 Miles/Day, Estimated Finish July 12, 2015

Bking Detail Virginia City, MT to Jackson, MT

Day 47 Saturday, June 27

Left Virginia City at 6:10. Not as cold as yesterday. Roads calm and nice! This is a great hour of the day to be biking! Newly paved road but did not put in a paved shoulder so will be riding on the road. Few extra feet of asphalt is all it takes..gravel shoulder already there?? A rare espresso shop in Sheridan, 20 miles out of Virginia City, so got my vanilla latte! Hit the spot.

Once hit Sheridan paved shoulder returned! Had breakfast in Twin Bridges. Met Joe, from Santa Cruz, going W to E. Started June 1st. End of trip will take train back to CA. Joe forewarned us about swarming mosquitos ahead as we travel to Dillon. Loaded up with Deet before heading out. Arrived in Dillon at 11:00. Re-loaded ice chest with water for the two passes ahead!

Long hot ride to the top of Badger Pass, 6,760 ft, pretty exhausted. Unfavorable slight head wind. Had no choice but to do the 18 miles to the top of the second pass, Big Hole Pass at 7,360 ft, as nothing in between! Got to the top of Big Hole at 4:45!! Do not recommend doing these passes as the last 30 miles of a l00 mile day!!! Heat, headwind and steady climb up....not the best way to end a century day.

The 9 miles from the pass to Jackson starts with a nice downhill but the last four miles levels out with some rolling hills and climbing the last one mile. Was not mentally or physically prepared for that!!! Ready for a much needed saddle break. Got to Jackson at 5:45, close to 12 hours after we left Virginia City. Our breakfast in Twin Bridges was our only sit down meal break of the day. Lots of power bars and water from the car!!!

Thank goodness for Margie's SAG services. Would never had made it with out the continual hydration and food snacks at the pullovers!! Stopping at Dillon for the night might have been a better option! But it is nice to have the miles behind us.