{"id":9320,"date":"2013-07-13T22:08:40","date_gmt":"2013-07-14T02:08:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=9320"},"modified":"2013-07-13T22:48:57","modified_gmt":"2013-07-14T02:48:57","slug":"day-23-saturday-july-13-havre-to-malta-montana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=9320","title":{"rendered":"Day 23. Saturday, July 13 – Havre to Malta, Montana"},"content":{"rendered":"

Out of the door five minutes later (6:25), yet 10\u00b0 warmer with the nice breeze from yesterday. \u00a0The topography yielded more trees\"\"<\/a> as we biked along the tracks\"\"<\/a> running through the Milk River Valley. \"\"<\/a> There is just something about a tail wind that just paints the day, prefect.\"\"<\/a>The colors of the sky \"\"<\/a>and fields \"\"<\/a>were mesmerizing.<\/p>\n

By 9:30 we had completed 43 miles; we needed to slow down. \u00a0A food break and obligatory horse picture, \"\"<\/a>always works! \u00a0A half hour later, as we pushed off, the wind was really kicking. \u00a0The strong winds were starting to whip at our side (note the flag is straight out),\"\"<\/a> threatening our vertical position and forward momentum, but not disturbing the vista.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Even with the wind adding challenge to our ride, it was a gorgeous day. \u00a0\"\"<\/a>We watched the birds feasting on the freshly harvested fields\"\"<\/a> and horses content on the green pastures.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

A little more than five hours on the bike seat, 72 miles done and we were at our destination, still not ready to stop. \u00a0Grabbed some more water \"\"<\/a>and headed to the next town. \u00a0Thankfully, the road was relatively flat\"\"<\/a>and plenty to see with historical markers\"\"<\/a> and colorful wildflowers \"\"<\/a>along the highway.<\/p>\n

We hit the wall at 88, but it was a 90 mile ride. \u00a0Limped into town exhausted but exuberant from our record breaking ride…..Eight hours total, Seat time 6:48 and 90.6 miles…..Great Day!<\/p>\n

Checking in to our hotel, we met bikers heading west; Daniel from Buffalo\/Argentina\/Italy, Andrew from Tampa and Greg from Oregon. \u00a0Check out Andrew’s charity.<\/a>…..Great cause if you have some spare change.\"\"<\/a>\n\t\t