August 24, 2017 - Livingston to Ringling, MT Yellowstone to Glacier Bike Tour

Phil and Jon wanted to leave at 8:00 this morning, so I told Tobey he should be ready closer to 7:30, and it turns out they left at 7:45! The three of them left the fairgrounds and headed to Highway 89. The weather started out cool and cloudy with a slight tailwind.

Marcia and June followed them, and I went back to McDonald’s so I could get an internet connection! There isn’t much internet service or cell service and the signal at the fairgrounds wasn’t strong enough to post anything. Once yesterday’s blog was posted, Penny and I took off to catch up. She is a good co-pilot!

We followed Old Clyde Park Road which paralleled Business I-90 and was a much prettier drive. We stopped to look out over the Yellowstone River. Penny was not happy we couldn’t make our way down to the water for a morning swim!

When Old Clyde Park Road reconnected with Highway 89, we hit road construction. I had to wait for a pilot car to head north, just as the others had earlier, then we had gravel for over 6 miles. It was rough going for the guys, but they hung in there and we all met up about 10 miles down the road for a well-deserved break!

Marcia and I took turns driving ahead 10-15 miles, then waiting for the guys. As we waited at the next stop we spotted a couple deer in the field across the road.

When Tobey crested the hill coming down to where we were parked, four deer crossed the road right in front of his bike!

A little further down the road I spotted a different breed of Montana elk in this farmer’s front yard!

Near Clyde Park, MT, is the Shields River Valley. The area was explored by the Lewis and Clark Expedition. They named the valley after John Shields, a member of their expedition. They were accompanied by Sacajawea, and camped near the mouth of the river on July 15, 1806, while they were exploring the Yellowstone on their return trip from the coast. There was also a monument to “Thunder Jack”, an early explorer in the area.

By the time Tobey rode into Ringling, MT, at 1pm today, having ridden 49.9 miles, the wind had shifted to a headwind and the temperature was hot. We are camping in the field next to the post office (with their permission) tonight.