Leg 4: Great Falls to White Sulphur Spring

Today was one of the most challenging day for the ride from a physical standpoint. 108 miles including 4000 feet climb, up to 7473 feet, at the top of Kings Hill pass following the famous Kings hill scenic bikeway near Showdown Ski area.








Click here for more details about the Kings hill scenic bikeway and some information to prepare a ride if you are interested


Unfortunately, my three batteries went dead so I had no picture for this ride. I will try to add some from different sources to give you a feel.

We started our journey early in the morning leaving Great Falls in an impeccable order following a local police officer (thanks for the help!). Then we passed Bellt, Riceville, Monarch.


We then stopped for a rest at Armington Junction. On the way to Reihnart, we stopped for the vista to admire the Sluice Box (a place in the mountain which used to be mined for its ore) . Apparently there used to be a train that went to Reihnart that passed there, transporting both workers, tourists, and… fresh fish so it was called the “fish train”. As we were biking up the hill, we had our first casualty of the ride. My friend Bob Worthington, an experienced rider, went down, hurt his head first, but the blow was luckily softened by his helmet. Can’t repeat enough how important it is to wear a helmet while biking, Bob would not be with us to finish the ride if he did not have his It can happen to anyone, at anytime, no matter how good or lucky you are.


CLICK HERE TO SEE PHOTOS OF KING S Hill Scenic Bikeway.


We stopped for lunch at Bellt Creek Ranger Station, and there, I was interviewed by Tim and his wife, a reporter / cameraman crew who have worked with Good morning America and now were shooting for Casa to create a DVD to communicate about its action, volunteers and donors.

Up to Reihnart, we had a 2000 feet climb than spanned 33 miles. After Reihnart, the famous King Hill also has 2000-2500 feet climb, but in less than 12 miles: that is a good 6% grade. Despite the effort required, the wind in the front, the cramps in the legs, nothing can replace the feeling of joy that overcomes a Casa rider arriving at the top.



2 photos courtesy of Casa of Montana

1 Here is a photo of our fast 2008 riders:.

2 Note the difference with the previous year. It was much colder in 2008!




Kings Hill is a turning point of this 4000 miles bike ride: and with a little sadness, we can ‘t help but think: it is all downhill from here! Kudos to the entire support group and fast riders who stayed at the top to encourage their fellow riders.

After Kings Hill, it is effectively downhill, except for a small 1.5 miles hill where we had a lot of cross wind. Some thought that this hill was the most challenging of the day. I respectfully disagree, but could understand the feeling, given the 90 miles we already had under our bellt!

In White Sulphur Spring, we were welcomed by a local volunteer, who is also a Lakota Indian, who told us a moving story how Casa helped her and her family with two adorable little girls. We ate dinner in a movie Theater and devoured an unknown number of pizzas to compensate for the ride. I freaked out about losing my papers / computer … and everybody was concerned about it but in the end, everything was safely stored in Ellen’s car, and everybody, including Bob despite his injuries finished the ride, which was an accomplishment on its own. Last but not least. Met with some Hutterites. They have historical roots similar to the Amish and Mennonites, are from German descent, still speak a German Dialekt, (and still like to drink beer!). They are about 50,000 in North America.