Day 17: Going to the Sun

40.2miles

Today was the day we were set to bike the 'Going to the Sun' road. It is said to be one of the most beautiful roads to bike in the US. I must say we aced the 'final exam'.  If I had a 'that was easy' button I would have pushed it.  I didn't even use my lowest gear.  It definitely was not as hard as either of us thought, but it sure was beautiful!

We woke up and got ready to face the day that we had been anticipating for quite some time. We went upstairs to get breakfast to learn that we overslept breakfast hours so we settled for a cinna-paw and coffee and tea. We ended up checking out of the hotel a bit late -- we really aren't your average bike tourers. And off we went after Mike consumed his refill of green tea. Into Glacier National Park we went. Our fifth national park!  

The first 7 miles were pretty easy and nice to get the legs warmed up. We passed several other bicyclists finishing up the ride. Several were even pulling canoes on their bikes and one set was on a tandem. We saw another black bear as well before our first stop to grab lunch at the Rising Sun restaurant. 

The beginning of our ride with St. Mary's lake to the left. 

The blacktop was freshly paved which made for super smooth riding, but also extreme heat since it was very black.  You could feel the heat radiating up from it. We finally began our climb for the day. We took it nice and easy preparing ourselves for it to get steeper later on. Luckily it never really did. It was a consistent 7% grade, but it lasted for about 8 miles. The cars passing us were very polite for the most part. One car professed their love to me. Another woman told me she was proud of me.  I am proud of me too!  Another person told us we were brave and people had some pretty funny comments for Mike, like asking if he was running out of gas. It was a beautiful ride up. I just wish I had made a sign for the back of our bikes saying 'Just married or honeymooning'. I am sure we would have gotten lots of great comments. 

Honey sticks are my new favorite snack!  The sugar goes right into your system to give you a little boost. Looking at a glacier gives you a little boost of energy too!

We stopped at several overlooks to enjoy the vistas and waterfalls and take breaks. We both kept thinking this isn't as bad as we thought, but it will get steeper at some point.  And then all of a sudden I could see the visitor center at Logan Pass and we realized it isn't going to get steeper!  

Taking a break a mile away from the summit. 

Mike decided to cool off in a waterfall!

We even biked by snow!  The road opened up for the summer on June 19th.  Last year it opened July 3rd, the day we climbed it this year. 

We made it to the top!  Mike refers to me as a Billy Goat with strong billy goat legs so I had to take a photo with the billy goat. 

Little did I know moments later I would meet a real billy goat hiking to a vista. 

Two billy goats staring each other down. 

Then we began our descent. It was sooooooooo much fun!  Seriously, being out in the open air and earning it made the trip down spectacular!  Seriously, imagine the best roller coaster you have ever been on, but it lasting much longer. It was AMAZING!  11 miles of no peddling was well earned after the last few days. The way down was so beautiful too. It was a lot curvier than the way up which made it even more fun to fly down. Even through the way down was only a 6% grade we descended over 3000ft.  

Note the sign. 

Enjoying the curves. 

Where did the road go?

Mike on the descent. 

We reached the bottom and still had 11 more to go. It was a fast 11 mostly flat or slightly downhill. We balked at the occasional hills that appeared but made it to our lodging at Lake McDonald. We checked in, saw some other bikers and changed into our swimsuits to hop into the cold lake. It was so refreshing and the perfect end to the ride. The water is so clear, you could see your feet as they dangled below. Our room in the lodge overlooks the lake. I really think we have one of the best rooms here.  Maybe the woman I made the reservation with on the phone hooked us up when she realized we were bicycling here, not motorcycling. 

Dinner and drinks in the lodge were wonderful followed by and evening walk. Then back to our room. We had our window open and light on and soon realized there must be a hole in the window screen. The amount of bugs around our light was unreal.  Mike went on a bug killing spree, we figured out how to seal up the hole and then slept peacefully. No biking or alarm clock tomorrow!

I not only survived biking up 'Going to the Sun' road...I thrived at it!  I think we both agreed that yesterday was tougher. It was longer mileage, and more total climbing. Who would have guessed?