{"id":9592,"date":"2013-07-16T22:17:52","date_gmt":"2013-07-17T02:17:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=9592"},"modified":"2013-07-18T09:09:27","modified_gmt":"2013-07-18T13:09:27","slug":"day-26-tuesday-july-16-wolf-point-to-circle-montana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=9592","title":{"rendered":"Day 26. Tuesday, July 16 – Wolf Point to Circle, Montana"},"content":{"rendered":"

Awoke to the sound of rain on the window, rolled over when we heard thunder. \u00a0Ten minutes later the sun was streaming through the window; we got up.<\/p>\n

Sixty degrees felt cool this morning morning with the slight breeze out of the north. \u00a0We watched as the storm made it’s way east\"\"<\/a> and we, thankfully, turned south, leaving the rain and railroad behind.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

We rode a quite country road\"\"<\/a> that we occasionally shared with a semi or double-wide. \u00a0\"\"<\/a>The non-stop\u00a0rolling hills <\/em>were a gradual grade,\"\"<\/a> the climbs long, but so were the drops. \u00a0It was the first time in days we could actually coast down a hill.\"\"<\/a>Finally saw the Missouri River\"\"<\/a>that once dominated this part of the country. \u00a0Climbing up from the river, we looked back and noticed the storm had not quite gone away.\"\"<\/a> To our west the ridge that looked like mountains\"\"<\/a> was growing rapidly and heading our way. \u00a0We’ve decided Montana’s slogan needs to be “Big Stormy <\/em>Sky Country”. \"\"<\/a> For the third day in a row, the forecast was for a 10% chance of rain and it was the third time we were about to get rained on. \u00a0Would not want to be here for 50% chance of precipitation; it might snow! \u00a0But this storm was getting ugly fast. \u00a0Thoughts of yesterday’s tornado was very fresh in our minds (look at the top clouds).\"\"<\/a>We wanted out of here, but all we had was our bikes, tired legs and now a decent wind at our backs. \u00a0Praise the Lord <\/em>and that’s no joke, Amen<\/em>. \u00a0The hills became a blur as we raced to try to put distance between behind us and the growing and thundering storm.\"\"<\/a>We pedaled hard and focused on the clear sky ahead.\"\"<\/a>And then it passed….. for good.\"\"<\/a>Finally, we could sit back and enjoy the countryside\"\"<\/a> that continued to yield miles and miles of farmland.\"\"<\/a>Saw our fourth live<\/strong> Diamond Back Rattlesnake, \"\"<\/a>this one by far the smallest.<\/p>\n

We stopped for a refreshment break and possible dance,\"\"<\/a> but they were closed.<\/p>\n

The sun and clouds danced on the unplowed fields, \"\"<\/a>changing every second; fabulous show, \"\"<\/a>but tough to record with pictures. \u00a0With less than five hours of pedaling, we had completed our 55 mile ride; pedaled too hard. \u00a0Nothing like a good shot of whiskey, to ease the pain (we did wait until dinner).\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Tomorrow we have 20 mph winds in our face (yes, they said in your fac<\/em>e). \u00a0Time to rest.\n\t\t