PAC Tour 2021 - Day 7 St. Regis to Missoula, MT

Garmin

Check out my cycling activity on Garmin Connect. #beatyesterday
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/7136713808

Relive

Check out PAC Tour 2021 Day 7 St. Regis to Missoula on Relive!
https://www.relive.cc/view/vMq5W15rXQO

Easy day today as it was short (77 miles), scenic for the most part, not very hilly,  cool morning temps with an early start at 7:00 in order to get into Missoula for lunch....and not a typical PAC Tour provided lunch on benches, under a portable canopy alongside a highway.  So we took it easy as tomorrow’s ride is long at 136 miles and 5,700’ of climbing with temps into the 90’s... into picturesque Butte!

The route today had us going on and off, over and under I90.  When on I90, I like to “beat feet”, that is go fast as it’s noisy and nerve racking with semi-trucks only 6 feet away going 70mph while cars are going 90.  The legal posted speeds are 60 & 80 respectively on the Interstate.  I just as soon go fast and get onto quieter frontage or side roads.  That said, the planned route was plenty scenic as it followed the Clark Fork River nearly all the way into Missoula. Lots of people drifting, fishing and rafting on the river....something to do in the future on a return trip.

Just before our last rest stop of the day, Mike had a mechanical issue (freewheel would not engage causing his chain to become slack....not good).  While it can become very unsafe, one can keep pedaling so as to not engage (I.e. coast) the free wheel....which Mike did, the remaining 2 miles to the rest stop...meanwhile picking up a staple, flattening his rear tire.  So Mike sagged into Missoula with his bike in the van while I rode easy into town.  He subsequently got his bike fixed by the PacTour crew...who are truly great at their jobs.

Staying at the Holiday Inn by the river and downtown is nice.  The biggest and one of nicer hotels I’ve stayed at on a PacTour. Spent a couple of leisurely hours doing what I hurriedly fo in an hour.  Of course, doing the Relive pictures and comments as well as this blog take time which may become more precious as the ride goes on.

Finally, had a fabulous dinner at an Italian restaurant (Caio Mambo) across the river.  Highly recommended.  We’ll see tomorrow if the meal and carbo loading helps.  Ride on!