Great Divide (NOBO) - Off Day in Helena

Off Day in Helena
June 28, 2022

I slept so well last night in an actual bed in room 108 at the Budget Hotel in Helena. I woke up with the light seeping through the cracks in the curtains. My body was so sore and I tried to go back to sleep but couldn’t. I had a lot to do today. First thing I went upstairs and put my dirty clothing into a washing machine. I had purchased detergent from the hotel clerk last evening when I arrived. I had a hankering for orange juice, and rode over to Safeway, where I also purchased tortillas, peanut butter, cans of peaches and pears, along with another can of Beanie Weenies. My laundry was done when I got back, and I hung it in my room. I stripped down my bike and cleaned my panniers, and then I shaved. I looked at maps and tried to figure out my end game. Some of my mileage targets were ambitious, and if the climbing was like the past two days I wouldn’t be able to make the flight I had planned. I made notes and didn’t commit to anything. I dropped off my bike at Great Divide bike shop, and then went to Nosh for an egg and sausage sandwich, Dunkin’ iced coffee, and Minute Made orange juice. I returned to my room where I edited the last two day’s reports. The bike shop replaced my brake pads and installed a new chain, my third. They also mentioned that my cranks were a smidge loose. I rode around the town and really enjoyed it. Helena is nestled in a valley alongside a ridge, which was once mined. There are handsome old buildings and fine new architecture as well. The skyline was punctuated by the Cathedral of Saint Helena and the Algeria Shrine Temple. I enjoyed the old houses, and riding through the downtown mall. The town seemed progressive. There were rainbow flags and signs criticizing the recent Supreme Court abortion ruling. I stopped at 10 Mile Creek Brewery where I enjoyed a pint of Beetlejuice IPA. It was Taco Tuesday and a seven foot tall guy served me. I heard from Andre, who told me there was three to four miles of hike-a-bike getting to Lincoln. I Returned to Brewhouse for another mac and cheese, house salad, and Cold Smoke Scotch Ale. 

Room 108 at the Budget Hotel in Helena

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Location: Helena, MT, USA

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