I hope you had a great Labor day w-e.
First, let me give you an update from CASA. The 42 riders together have collected $37,000 which is $7,000 more than last year. # 1 contributed $6,000, #2: $3,700, #3 $1,900.
Right now, we are the 18th contributor but I think we have a shot at the 3rd place if we keep doing what we do: giving (even small amount), and sharing the object of the blog with friends to find more donors (if each of you forward the blog and one line about Casa to a friend, we can double the amount given). BTW, update to the info I sent previously, any online donation is 100% tax deductible (don t forget to enter your name and address). Instead of giving to the taxman, make a difference for the children. To show you Casa in action, I was planning to include in this blog a video from Ann Gilkey, President of the board of Casa,
Ann is also a volunteer, and told us a moving story of caring for 2 foster children whose parents were addicted to Met Amphetamines. However, the file is too big to be uploaded :-( Ann and Casa went up to the supreme court after 5 years of procedure to help out these children. This is the real deal.
Second, let me get back to our trip through Montana.
Today was tough. Morning was really cold and really foggy.
Second, let me get back to our trip through Montana.
Today was tough. Morning was really cold and really foggy.
I even had to buy myself a a $32 “Grizzly jacket” because I did not have any warm clothes with me. Then something interesting happened. Some Indians from the Black Feet Tribe were invited to perform a blessing for the riders. This included a mix of spells to protect us during our ride and an Indian Song about the journey that we were going to start. 
Later on during the trip, I will meet the black feet again in one of their reservation. The black feet is one of the only tribe in the US still living on their ancestor land.
After the Indian benediction, we hop on our bike, and depart for Dupuyer, 73 miles away. Our trip starts with a long 10 miles, 800 feet climb. It was snowing. A few riders like me did not have the proper gears for the cold (special jacket, special shoe protection, long pants…). My bike had stayed out all night, the back tire was nearly flat, and my two lowest gears did not work anymore, making the up hills even more challenging. My fingers were frozen, my feet were wet and soon frozen. Because I was sending the blog in the morning, I missed breakfast, and had devored anything I could find in a few minutes before the start of the ride, hence no usable calories for the start. The start was real tough. Here is a photo at the top of the climb. 635. Still smiling, a plastic bag that I used to cover my hand from the cold. I was wondering to myself: what am I doing here? 636
Then it is a long ride through the plains and rolling hills of Montana. No sun, still this harsh cold.
After the Indian benediction, we hop on our bike, and depart for Dupuyer, 73 miles away. Our trip starts with a long 10 miles, 800 feet climb. It was snowing. A few riders like me did not have the proper gears for the cold (special jacket, special shoe protection, long pants…). My bike had stayed out all night, the back tire was nearly flat, and my two lowest gears did not work anymore, making the up hills even more challenging. My fingers were frozen, my feet were wet and soon frozen. Because I was sending the blog in the morning, I missed breakfast, and had devored anything I could find in a few minutes before the start of the ride, hence no usable calories for the start. The start was real tough. Here is a photo at the top of the climb. 635. Still smiling, a plastic bag that I used to cover my hand from the cold. I was wondering to myself: what am I doing here? 636
Then it is a long ride through the plains and rolling hills of Montana. No sun, still this harsh cold.
No life. And suddenly, the impossible happens. Coming from nowhere, three wild horses are galloping towards me on the road. Although I was unable to film them, I was able to capture this moment on picture. It was both magical and poetic. 
That's the reason why you want to go to Montana. For this mineral and desertic space, and for this wild life that springs from nowhere and passes you like it did 200 years ago and dissapears like it only existed in your imagination.
The ride continues. Despite the cold, everybody is doing their best and even smile!
Then we arrive in Browning. This photo is from one of the village just before Browning, but it gives you a realistic idea of how modest this city is. The main economic activity here seems to be the trading posts by the local Indian tribes.
We eat in Browning. The eldest daughter of Rick and Ellen has found an abandoned adorable puppy on the road. Could not resist to share this one with you.
646. It seems to be snugged confortably there (it was really cold outside).
Then more rolling hills. I am so cold, and my knee hurt, that I am trying to go as fast as possible to end this ride (over 20 mph average). We finally arrive in Dupuyer, a little ranch community (essentially farming). Take a shower, eat.
The ride continues. Despite the cold, everybody is doing their best and even smile!
Then we arrive in Browning. This photo is from one of the village just before Browning, but it gives you a realistic idea of how modest this city is. The main economic activity here seems to be the trading posts by the local Indian tribes.
We eat in Browning. The eldest daughter of Rick and Ellen has found an abandoned adorable puppy on the road. Could not resist to share this one with you.
646. It seems to be snugged confortably there (it was really cold outside).Then more rolling hills. I am so cold, and my knee hurt, that I am trying to go as fast as possible to end this ride (over 20 mph average). We finally arrive in Dupuyer, a little ranch community (essentially farming). Take a shower, eat.
(Rick, the director of the ride is the one in the front). Things are getting better already!
I got the bike and knees take care off (BTW, if your knee ever hurt, put some grapes in the freezer, then ice your knees with it, it works way better than real ice!).
Tomorrow is a long 90 miles ride heading to Great Falls, and I will ride with the fast bikers. I am heading for a good night sleep…. Today, Labor day was hard work.
I got the bike and knees take care off (BTW, if your knee ever hurt, put some grapes in the freezer, then ice your knees with it, it works way better than real ice!).
Tomorrow is a long 90 miles ride heading to Great Falls, and I will ride with the fast bikers. I am heading for a good night sleep…. Today, Labor day was hard work.
Looking forward to sharing the rest of this adventure with you.
A bientot,
Mathieu
A bientot,
Mathieu
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire