Dead Man Riding

BJ is sick. That is the first and most salient fact of this ride report. He has complained of allergy symptoms the last few days. Last night it became clear that he is allergic to a virus. The symptoms include headache, sore throat, and the production of gallons of ectoplasmic phlegm.

This afternoon he asked me, "Do I look as bad as I feel?" I hoped that he didn't feel half as bad as he looked.

I also hope that I don't get it.

Last night, after we had bedded down, the wind began to howl, shaking the tent. Then came the rain. We stayed warm and dry in the tent, and our gear was protected, but the bikes got soaked.

We waked into Libby for breakfast and bought some groceries before we broke camp. We oiled our chains and packed the tent wet. BJ had a flat before we got out of the campground. It was 11:00 before we got on the road.

The state of Montana skimped on asphalt again for about 20 miles out of Libby and we watched our rearview mirrors carefully. After that the shoulders were wide and ridable once more.

BJ was hurting as we slogged along under leaden skies. He plans to jettison several pounds of gear in the morning.

We have stopped for the night at a place marked "Happy's Inn" on the map. It's about 40 miles outside of Libby. We rented a too expensive cabin just to get Beej out of the elements.

There is no phone service out here, but the bar across the highway has WiFi,

Old friend Ed B assures me that Washington is not the smallest state west of the Mississippi. Still, I do not wish to impugn Phil's veracity.