On the last little stretch into Missoula, Piper had two flats within 20 minutes. I hid behind a cement wall while he cursed the wire bits that have accounted for 95 percent of our flats on the trip. Once in town, we began asking around for a bike shop, but were instead directed to the Adventure Cycling office. We walked inside and were delighted by what we encountered there--an air conditioned hang out room with internet access, cold water, and complimentary ice cream, all to welcome touring cyclists and give us a cozy break from the road. We spent a good chunk of time hanging out with other cyclists and enjoying the air conditioning. Though we admitted that we hadn't been using the Adventure Cycling maps (AAA maps have been our primary tool), we were impressed by everything the organization is doing to help cyclists of all different backgrounds get on their bikes for an awesome journey. From my perspective (which Piper also shares), the more people riding bikes, the better. Bikes are good for the mental and physical health of those who ride them. Bikes are good for decreasing traffic congestion and pollution on the road, which increases the livability of cities. The more political and organizational support we have for cyclists, the more we will see people on the road riding bikes, the more we can see improvements in things like air quality and the general public health. Every small step contributes to the larger task of figuring out how to create an inclusive transportation system--one where individuals can choose to walk, take public transit, or ride their bikes without continually struggling to find their way in an increasingly auto-dependent transportation structure. After spending time in the Adventure Cycling headquarters and marvelling at their dedication to making long-distance bicycle travel more accessible, I have decided that I would like to become a member of their organization once I return home. What a cool space.
Later that day, we went to visit my old room mate from my first semester at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, OR. Laina was spending the summer working with honey bees in Missoula, and riding her bike around the city. We made a big pasta meal and went to bed early.
