Cycle Across America – Day 23

Dillon to Virginia City

56 miles / 1529ft climb

There is no doubt about it, today’s ride was not as bad as I had an envisaged and certainly easier than the previous two days. On the flat I am reasonably comfortable and can keep up a good speed for many miles but with a fully loaded bike anything above 3-4% is beyond my legs at the moment for more than a few minutes.

Nearly all of today’s 1529ft of climb was a gradual 1-3% interspersed with short runs on the level or slightly downhill.

The directions couldn’t have been easier – follow the road straight ahead for 56 miles and so we did exactly that. Through stunning Montana with its picture postcard backdrop of snow capped mountains ever present, it’s lush green hills and warm sunshine.

We were fortunate with relatively quiet roads today, two good food stops, one in Twin Bridges and one in Alder and of course great company.

Wherever we go we are asked about our journey and never fail to get a response of incredulity when we explain what we are doing! It is the same today in both these towns and we chat to a number of local people.

Not nearly as hot as it had been, the skys darkened as we reached Nevada City and a mile later, our retreat for the night, Virginia City. The thunderstorm that was threatened didn’t appear.

Nevada City was a mining ghost town until the Bovey family restored it between 1945 and 1978. The entire town of is a living historical museum and in an instant we feel we are being transported back in time to a movie set of the Wild West and this remains as we pass into Virginia City. At one time the most important city in the Territory and little more than a ghost town at another, Virginia City provides one of the most well preserved insights into Montana’s gold rush days.

Explanation is best served by photograph rather than description.