{"id":15941,"date":"2015-07-15T22:18:53","date_gmt":"2015-07-16T02:18:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=15941"},"modified":"2015-07-16T06:28:40","modified_gmt":"2015-07-16T10:28:40","slug":"day-5-wednesday-july-15-white-sulphur-springs-to-harlowton-montana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=15941","title":{"rendered":"Day 5. Wednesday, July 15 – White Sulphur Springs to Harlowton, Montana"},"content":{"rendered":"

At 7:30 a.m. it was overcast, biting and a damp 55\u00b0 \"IMG_0083\"<\/a>as we left the warmth of our hotel room. \u00a0First order of business was to stock up for lunch as there would be nothing between here and there and our continental breakfast was not going to take us very far. \u00a0From our doorstep we began our climb through the Castle Mountains,\"DSCN3556\"<\/a> aptly named for the rock outcroppings that look like castle walls on the mountainside. \u00a0Once again we had the road to ourselves.\"DSCN3574\"<\/a> \u00a0It was supremely quite except for the chirping of the ground squirrels as they scurried for cover or the screech of the eagle hunting in the sky. \u00a0The clouds made for striking contrast \"DSCN3562\"<\/a>against the fields painted in soft hues.\"DSCN3654\"<\/a> \u00a0We pedaled past Lake Sutherlin\"DSCN3601\"<\/a> and the Bair Reservoir (note the rain on the horizon).\"DSCN3626\"<\/a> \u00a0After miles and miles of almost treeless hills\"DSCN3611\"<\/a> and fields,\"DSCN3616\"<\/a> we turned a corner into a beautiful green enclave\"DSCN3631\"<\/a> that lasted\"DSCN3645\"<\/a> for a few miles;\"DSCN3636\"<\/a> then we were once again in the treeless high plains\"DSCN3649\"<\/a>surrounded by the\u00a0Castle, Belt and Crazy Mountains on the horizon. \"DSCN3657\"<\/a>\u00a0At mile 40, we stopped for our stale peanut butter and jelly picnic,\"IMG_0112\"<\/a> but with the entire sky getting darker by the minute, we did not linger.\"IMG_0111\"<\/a> \u00a0Ten miles out, the wind decided to challenge our trek into town. \u00a0Though it was not a strong wind, it was enough to slow us down and make us earn every mile. \u00a0On the edge of town, we met Connor and Amala\"IMG_0115\"<\/a> on their way to the town we’d left 60 miles ago; final destination Portland, Oregon.<\/p>\n

On the other side of town we found our “accommodations” for the night, a tiny bit better than a tent; but became immensely better than a tent when it poured an hour later. \u00a0Pretty sure the farmers don’t want us to leave, but that the Montana tourist department may escort us out.<\/p>\n

Thankfully, the rain stopped in time for us to bike the mile back into town for a ‘Jail House Pizza’ dinner. \u00a0Just about as fancy as our room (note the bars on the windows), \"DSCN3679\"<\/a> but much more appealing. \"DSCN3681\"<\/a>\u00a0“We” left just enough pizza for lunch, as well as,\u00a0room for real<\/strong><\/em> homemade banana cream pie.\"DSCN3683\"<\/a>Unlike the fries from a few days ago, there was no guilt after our 63 tough miles. \u00a0See you tomorrow!<\/p>\n\n\t\t