Day 7 Sandpoint, ID to Thompson Falls MT – 88 miles

Entering State #3 on Big Ride

Rode out of Idaho and into Montana. There are a few drivers who do not want to see cyclists share the road so we got a little jabbing from the cowboys in Montana. It wasn’t too bad just a little tense at times. More than a few pokes from the locals, but otherwise a glorious day.

The weather could not be better and the hospitality from the crew of VeloSante is just perfect. We rode the 87 miles through beautiful lakes and mountains.  The route was SR 200 East the whole way.  We passed lots of waterways like Tresler Creek, Lightening, Creek, Bull River, Fork River and Trout Creek.  These little waterways kept the route fairly flat but gently uphill as we prepare to enter the top of the Rocky Mountains.

The little town of Thompson Falls hosted us with bountiful meals at Millie’s Montana Cafe. At night, it is bear country so all food was locked away in the trucks. A small surprise for the tent next to us who awoke in the middle of the night with a sprinkler blasting into the air vents of their tent. They were blasted in the face with water and everything got soaking wet. The morning will bring us our first ride over 100 miles, so everyone turned in early and prepared for a 4:30 am alarm so we could get to breakfast at Minnie’s by 6 am.