58.8 miles/ +2060.9 ft/ Total miles 2824.5
The ride today headed north on US 93 toward Eureka, which is close to the Canadian border. The highway has almost no shoulder most of the way, so luckily the route had two significant sections on back roads – the best riding of the trip so far!
Morning view of the mountains:
When I got back onto 93, I was surprised to see Model T Fords passing me, one after another! I had seen the show of Model T’s in Whitefish on Sunday afternoon. It turns out that over 160 of them are in Whitefish for the week, and they are going for drives every day, of 100-200 miles. I saw a few of them in Eureka when I arrived mid-afternoon. It was great to have them on the road – they slowed the traffic down, which was helpful. I waved to them and they all waved and many gave me a “wah-ooo-gah” toot on the horn!
The last 14 miles to Eureka was also off of the highway, on back roads through ranches and forests. It was stunningly beautiful but difficult to capture in a photo – big scenery. I caught one photo of Montana elements: railroad, oil train, and mountains:
Tomorrow I am headed to Libby on another remote stretch of highway. My plan is to camp at Koocanusa Resort and Marina (they have tent sites). There will be no cell service or wifi, so I will post Tues and Wed updates on Wednesday.
Judy's Bike Ride 2017 
I’m glad you survived that stretch of highway between Whitefish and Eureka. My recollection is it was among the worst/most-dangerous of my entire cross-country trip last year. Good idea to plan to camp at the Koocanusa Resort – it is the only civilization you’ll find on the whole ride tomorrow! It has a store and cafe, so you’ll have a good place to land along this very remote stretch of road. Enjoy the solitude and big trees. — Dave
I think that the Model T’s helped a lot. There were not many trucks on the road. And there was some shoulder in places. Overall, not as bad as I had expected.
I think that truck traffic might have been lighter than usual due to the Model T’s. And there is some shoulder in places. Overall not as bad as I had feared.
Wonderful ride – very scenic – surprised it was only a little over 2,000 ft of vertical on July 17th- hopefully your trip continues with good weather.
I lost 2369 ft. Lots of up and down all day but not steep. Nice riding.
Gorgeous pics — and sounds like great riding. Glad to hear it’s feeling good again. Smart move on the train.
I got the note about your plan to arrive Winthrop at the end of July instead of mid-August — two weeks early for NCR-YoT. Seems that two weeks will be the perfect amount of time to rest up and then do the short, 75 mile eastbound, route back with the NCR group. I’m guessing your fitness will be near “best-ever,” so I’d expect you to start with the elite “Reds” at 11a and arrive Washington Pass in time to contest the polka-dot jersey. Happy riding. Peter
Loved seeing your picture from yesterday at the continental divide – those are special places. Look one way and it all goes to the Mississippi, look the other way and follow the rivers to the Pacific! Beautiful country today and I hope it’s generally cooler. Train was a great idea.
In this stretch you are on the same road used for part of our 2014 organized tour (including the Weirs), but I had full support!! We camped in Libby, at a high school. There is more to tell, but I’ll hold it for another day!