• Miles today 0 (walk about 16k steps😊)

• Miles total 709.4
• Elevation today 0 ft
• Elevation total 41003 ft
• Weather – Smokey overcast, can’t smell smoke but in the air; warm with high of 89…feels kinda close.

Today is a rest day, meaning no planned rides. I spent my day sleeping late – 8:00 a.m. with normal ride day around 5:30-ish. Second was finding a proper local coffee shop (sorry, icks-nay on chains). Third, dumping extra stuff I brought that is dead weight, I cart around each day – I know I’m whining but adds up. Fourth look for an open bike shop (it’s Sunday of Labor Day weekend) and last find food!

Ok – sleeping obvious but just a shout out to Doubletree in Missoula for having black out shades!!!

The closest local coffee shop was Black Coffee Roasting – highly recommend!!! Like an old barn storage shed or bunker. Lots of seating indoors and out. Cortado and a scone – go juice!

Then off to the UPS store for extra stuff back home – extra rain pants, my Hoka sandals, gym shorts, I don’t know stuff for $18 plus $6 for a box. Didn’t matter the cost I was tired of hauling it around for weight or bulk.

Hands free I started a quest for a bike shop. Really looking for a few gels (cola flavor), more butt cream and a pair of cycling gloves as a pair I have felt like twist ties around my pinkies. Looking at pics and those that were open, I headed off to REI. Plus sort of familiar with stuff they had. Might have been a little over ambitious…I was a sweat ball when I got there. I took the bus back – good to know fun fact, the bus is free in Missoula!

Unfortunately, I got on the bus going out of town before it swung back around to back into town! Stopped at airport, where a guy got on with his bike in travel bag. He was doing a one week wilderness, camping, crushing it, gravel bike ride. Chatted a bit and turns out he knew the lady who got attacked by cougar. I told him that was about 10 miles from home!!!

Got back into town and went wandering for food. Stopped at bakery for iced coffee. Where they messed up my order and gave me sugar free vanilla with iced mocha-it was an icey wonderful liquid cookie. I also had berry pie and the crust tastes like it was my Mom’s! Plus, plus – the bakery was all wood inside – floors, walls, furniture – sound just absorbed!

Got back to hotel for afternoon aperitif (beer and some olives). A bit of rest in the room and out for a smash burger and beer. I was a bit anti-social with bike group but needed some me time!

So that’s a rest day – buzzed on coffee, sugar and beers! No better way to get the carbs for a big ride to Helena!!!