Day 26 – Butte, MT

July 18, 2012

Start: Along Interstate 15
Finish: Butte, MT

Today’s miles: 17.8
Total miles: 694.7

Splats: 0
Divide crossings: 1
Wildlife:

Canada –> Mexico

25%

This morning’s thoughts: “What is this idiot [me] doing riding down the interstate on a unicycle?” I felt my attire made the scene even more entertaining. My new long pants and long-sleeved button-down shirt (still bright white) made me feel like a business person on the morning commute into Butte. When I got to the 15 / 90 interchange, I felt pretty hardcore navigating on and off ramps on one wheel.

I took Exit 127 for Harrison St and immediately found myself at the Outdoorsman, a local bike shop. They weren’t open yet, so I searched for coffee down the street and relaxed after my interstate escapade. When I returned to The Outdoorsman, I was immediately asked if I was riding the Divide (without hesitation from my ‘lack’ of a wheel, which was awesome). I answered ‘yes’ and was immediately whisked off to the ‘divide rider lounge,’ given a free water bottle and gels, and provided a spot on the bike stand for the uni. Who knows, maybe I just smelled bad, and they were trying to get me out of the showroom.

Still at The Outdoorsman, I ran into Kyle, who is riding the route northbound in memory of his father, Neil Karlson, and to raise $2,754 ($1 per mile) for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. You can visit his blog and learn more about his trip at http://www.kyleridesthedivide.blogspot.com. Kyle and I have split a campsite for the night at the KOA campground.

I was excited to find another Taco del Sol here and introduced Kyle to the fish burrito. After that, we wandered Butte for a bit. I searched for more coffee and stopped at the Jailhouse coffee shop. I waited in line behind a small group for about half an hour to get my watered-down cup of joe. I was 0 for two on coffee in Butte. I walked back to the KOA, glad to have taken the time to wander through the town but ready to be on my way as well.