Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs Resort, MT to Theony, MT 52.6 miles

This post is going to have an inordinate number of photos, just warning.

So the day finally came that I was starting the 80 mile stretch of gravel I had routed myself onto a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. I had researched and perseverated over this part of my route for a long time. I had contacted the adventure cycling association about this stretch, called a nearby town and used the satellite view on Google maps for all it’s worth trying to not be “that guy”, that guy that ends up in the papers for his stupidity. Even though I was carrying a water filter, I packed two gallons of water. I also did some research into riding open cattle range because I was told to expect to ride through some herds of cattle.

It didn’t take more than a mile or two and I was seeing cattle near and on the road. I had read you should ride slow and try not to get between a cow and her calf and of course look out for bulls. But what was the likelihood of that…

The cattle always looked up to see this strange thing (me) coming by. I like to think they talked about it for days.

At least this section meandered some on the way to the horizon.

The milk weed grew a little more compact in this arid place.

The roads were in good shape and the clouds were on point.

There were ranches set way back from the road, at this one I noticed the sign by the road for the ranches also had their cattle brands on it. And the package basket below the sign had something metal in it I’m guessing for the mailman to bang on the metal post and let them know they got a package?

There were a few cars on the road this day, two stopped to talk. The first was a gentleman who I asked about the condition of the roads I was taking. He seemed to think I could get through.

The second one was a woman who pulled up next to me and was curious about where I was going. I think she was a little surprised that someone riding a bicycle across the country would choose to ride it up her road. She also seemed to think that I could make it through on the roads I was planning to take. She was rattling off the few landmarks along the way and said that I would pass the Arnold Farm. She said they were organic farmers but good Christians. I guess if you are an organic farmer in these parts you are suspect, unless you are a good Christian? She also told me that the town on the map called Theony was a ghost town and might be a good place to camp. Then she asked me if I had protection. If I was quicker thinking, I would’ve said something witty like “It’s been a long time since a woman has asked me that question” but instead I said what do I need protection from? People or animals? She said there had been a wolf spotted in the area I was going through. I told her I had bear spray and she seemed to think that was enough “protection”.