Rolling through town...

Occasionally, when visiting the Albertsons store, I've noticed long distance bikers stocking up on fruit and trail mix and whatever else people riding bikes all day would eat.

Usually young, but not always, and possessing an abundance of stability on a bike, but far less financially in a bank, these cyclists are often times living a dream crossing the country on a predetermined route. Missoula based Adventure Cycling is an organization devoted to helping people with lots of time and energy plan long distance bike rides. Our Highline happens to be ontheir "Northern Route", which crosses the top of the country from Anacortes, Washington to Bar Harbor, Maine.

Sarah and Sophie were restocking over Fourth of July weekend recently and I had the opportunity to visit with them. Single and “twenty-some things”, or so I guessed, they had left the West Coast June 7 and had nearly a month and 1,300 miles behind them.

Sophie wore a telltale souvenir of the ride, a scary looking road rash on her one leg courtesy of Washington State high-way repair and some unexpected gravel.

Breathtaking Big Sky scenery had been mixed with stormy nights in a small tent. Both girls were between jobs with one awaiting Sophie in West Virginia and Michigan beaconing Sarah. Nervous parents were reassured by progress reporting onboard GPS apps. Montana would be done in a couple more days and the long Midwestern states encountered. An appreciated ferry ride across Lake Michigan would deposit them still a thousand miles distant.

But on this day, Glasgow was on the radar, a long seventy mile day awaiting. Generally the prevailing winds blow west to east, with most riders taking advantage. However, Mother Nature can have a wry sense of humor and this abnormally wet year had seen some wicked headwinds.

The normally calorie counting girls could shop with reckless abandon as their protein and energy requirements were huge spending long days pedaling.

Cold weather clothes, necessary crossing the mountains, had been shed and mailed home and now rain gear was within easy reach.

For many of these people, they're experiencing a once in a lifetime challenge before constraints that accompany a ca-reer would make such an endeavor nearly impossible.

Sunscreen was applied to happy faces and soon the pair was pedaling away. At twice their age, I could only watch in envy at the freedom of having to be concerned with getting to the next town, and little else.

Occasionally people who are finished with their careers also attempt long cross country rides. In addition to being in a minority age wise, Bobby and Ann were riding from Oregon to Minneapolis on a rare tandem. When I chatted with them, they were wolfing down pancakes and eggs big time. Ann did most of the talking while Bobby practically inhaled his omelet. They had been camping 38 nights, having opted for a motel only a few times. Like the girls, spirits and enthusiasm ran as high as the mountains that had just been crossed. Ann had recently picked up a bargain shirt at the Havre Salvation Army store and was pleased with its sun protecting long sleeves.

Life on the road can often have highs of insignificant things like a bargain shirt or a warm shower. The couple had ridden from Harlem, with Glasgow the next day's goal.

The route continues east to Wolf Point, then south to Circle, avoiding heavy truck traffic around Williston.

It felt good to see people from all across the country enjoying the sights and scenery Montana has to offer.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Mark Mayfield, of Burlington, Iowa, was in Phillips County for the last few days visiting his son.