DAY 18 JUNE 29 (FRI) MISSOULA TO LIBBY, MONTANA

Another sleepless night in a nice comfortable bed.  Biked to Adventure Cycling Office–told them we much appreciated their maps for our biking adventures.  Biked 5 m on paths-not fun-went back & put bikes in car. Going out of town-stopped at SMOKE JUMPERS visitor center–took free tour of facilities.  Saw where SJumpers made all their own clothes & bags & fixed parachutes (can use same parachute for 100 jumps).  SJumper talked to us & took us on plane.  Stopped in Polson to play 18 holes-golf–voted prettiest golf course (next to lake); place where we could definitely spend more time.  Finished golf at 5:15-now 7:00 & still 60 m from Libby–not sure we should have stopped for golf.  Finally get to Libby expecting to see Welcome Biker signs–nothing.  Drive to other end of town-not far-don’t see any bikers but do see THE ENCHILADA MEX-TEX RESTAURANT.  Haven’t eaten my ONE meal yet–get the biggest burrito I’ve ever seen & eat it all.  No one at restaurant knows anything about the biking event.  Go back down street–see bikes at CABOOSE MOTEL.  Only have smoking rooms left–see biker coming out of room.  Armand asks him if he’s doing a tour.  YES, we’re going to NEW JERSEY!!  Tell Armand to find Police station–find Sheriff’s office 1st–dispatcher tells us there is a ride tomorrow & gives us the guy’s name.  He’s motel–it’s 9:30 PM–go & register–we’re the 1st ones to get our packets & RACE #s.  Told the Race/Ride will start at 11:00–OH NO–we can’t start an 80 m ride that late.  Tell him we don’t care about being timed–just want to finish before dark.  Dumpy motel wants $90–go next door to Firemen’s Park & camp for $10.  10:00-start to put up tent–getting faster.

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