Day 17

Miles: 108

Mileage from start: 1,457

After the storm passed last night, the winds went back to their regularly prevailing direction — out of the west.

We slept in until 8:30, made coffee, slowly got our things together and left around 10:30 a.m.

But no matter. With the wind at our back we covered the 50 miles to Wolf Point by 1 p.m. 

Nice pavement and tailwinds made for 25 m.p.h. speeds without pedaling. Such luxury.

Blue skies, no clouds, waving wheat in endless fields. Montana. 

At Wolf Point we got groceries and sat in the wind at a small park eating berries, milk, yogurt and some ready-made cheesy pasta that tasted like Chef Boyardee spaghetti and meatballs. 

Then came the real work. Our route took us south, which turned that lovely tailwind into a viciously strong sidewind. The next 50 miles were a constant battle to keep our bicycles upright. 

At one point both Richard and I were simultaneously swept left 10 feet by the wind. In just a couple of seconds we went from the white line on the right to the yellow line in the middle of the road. Luckily, we had the road to ourselves at that moment but it was a reality check from the sidewind to stay vigilant.

The forecast says the 20ish m.p.h. winds should be done for now and the “normal” 10-or-so wind speeds will be with us tomorrow. We’ll see. 

From here we head southeast, then straight east again, so if the prevailing winds hold it should be an easier day of it.