G.A.S.P.

(Great Adventures to Scenic Places)

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July 26, 1999

On July 26, I rode from Three Rivers to Helena. US Highway 287 through this stretch must be one of the most dangerous roads in America. Someone (or some group) has taken it upon themselves to place a white cross a few feet off the shoulder at the site of each highway fatality. In the 60 miles to Helena, there were 16 crosses on my side of the road, and at least that many on the other, including four in one spot. I don’t know if automobile travelers are impacted by these crosses, but the stark reality of life and death clings to someone on a bicycle who slowly approaches and passes each cross. My guess is that these were part of a (now successful) effort to convince Montana Legislators to place a speed limit on the State’s highways. Until recently, there was none, but now it is 75 on the Interstates and 70 on the other highways (daytime).

Click on thumbnails.

Several trains passed me today headed toward Bozeman Pass. I noticed that each of them were pulled by just three engines, while the two I had seen the day before (actually going over the pass) were being pulled or pushed by a combination of seven engines. This tells me that trains get four "helper" engines to make it over the pass. What did I get? Just tired, that’s all!

Helena was a nice place to stay the night. I opted for a motel, so I could send some Journal text and photos home to Becky. I walked a lot around town after a fast food dinner – over to the State Capital Building and then to downtown (which isn’t anywhere near the Capital Building). Along the way, I passed the skyline dominating spires of St. Helena Cathedral. When I got to downtown, it was quite apparent that this is a western town – the main business street is named Last Chance Gulch (no lie).