Forsyth to Ingomar, MT

We left out of our hotel in Forsyth fairly early. Their “hot” breakfast was microwave ready, so we gathered a few provisions, packed up and left the small railroad town of Forsyth.

We rolled across the bridge and stopped to admire the Yellowstone River. The bridge had a good sidewalk across it that made you comfortable to stop and look across the waters.

We are on Highway 12 for the week or so. It dips down into the river valley and climbs back out. Todays landscape was filled with agriculture, plains and pastures. The wind was calm throughout the day which was a pleasant welcome to our day. We planned to get to the town of Melstone, but we were both feeling lethargic. Midday we began looking for stealth sites. We really wanted to sleep in our hammocks but the lack of trees were making that option difficult.

Mid afternoon Matt and I decided to call the only restaurant in the small town of Ingomar, Jersey Lily. Known internationally for its beans and steak. We got their voicemail that said it was closed. Following that message was an indication that there was a campsite there on satellite via Google maps! We decided to press on to Ingomar!

Mile after mile we finally came to Ingomar. Tired and worn down we turned off the pavement of Hwy 12 onto a gravel road leading to Ingomar.

We crossed two cattle guards and rolled into the dilapidated town where we found 2 older gentlemen chatting in their vehicles in the center of the dirt road. We stopped to ask them about a campsite. The gentleman in the truck directed us to the community center. A big steel building next to the school. He gave us permission to use the bathrooms, showers, water and electricity.  We thanked him for his kindness and rolled over to the building with big smiles on our faces. We found a swing set on the schoolyard playground! The perfect spot to hang our hammocks at!

We hung our hammocks and found a picnic table! The end of our day just keeps getting better and better! Rosie was excited because she got to swing on the swings with her friends. I told her that long ago children played on the swing set and went to school in the big white schoolhouse. She asked for a tour so we walked over. The old schoolhouse had been registered on the National Registry of Historic Places. Unfortunately, the exterior door was locked so we couldn’t go for a tour.

After a dinner of leftovers, we cleaned up and set off for the hammocks. The sun was setting quickly and our energy level was fading fast. As night fell and the temperatures dropped, the stars illuminated the dark sky. What a great spot to end the day. We are blessed by the Best.

The next morning, Matt and I made a quick breakfast out of the hotel provisions from the day before and coffee. Soon we packed up and went exploring the town. Ingomar was once the sheep shearing capital of North America. A devastating fire in 1923, drought and depression took its toll. Today some of the remaining buildings are in shambles while others were placed on the National Registry of Historic places.

Ingomar to Ryegate

After our town tour, we headed up the gravel road leaving the town of Ingomar behind. The song Praire Town by the Wailin Jennys played on my speaker as we crossed over the cattle guards onto Route 12.

https://open.spotify.com/track/2ZjmwpCx1tZ3RIsM6gKSew?si=CLxdA8aERxmXGxvQybED4g&utm_source=copy-link

We headed for Melstone, Montana. There awaited the Melstone Mercantile. We had read that they had coffee! With a light wind at our backs and occasionally on our sides we pedaled into Melstone. Second breakfast was much needed! Matt and I had a sandwich and a Dr. Pepper. During our break, a local shared his stories with us and called us crazy. Oh well, cycling and adventure is not for everyone. Rosie endured listening to the man’s stories and swish swished her tail as we went outside. I’m not sure if she was mad about not having a coffee or if she was getting ready to give the man with long-winded stories a piece of her mind. Thankfully, the porch kitten arrived right on time to change her attitude. Ernie was a fluffy rambunctious kitty. Rosie thought it was a good idea to meet him and jumped down to his level. After a short bit,, Rosie found out that he played a little too rough for her taste.

We gathered up Rosie and headed West for Roundup. Our winds were now strong headwinds. We were reaching deep for motivation to continue on to our destination of Roundup. We stopped for a break a little ways past where the Mussellshell River crosses under Route 12. Then continued on into Roundup. Wind blown and tired we got a room at the Autumn Inn. Once to our room, we rested and grabbed a bite to eat at the local corner BBQ place.

The next day we packed up and left the hotel early. After a stop at the local Concoco for a resupply of cold coffee, water and ice we headed out to Route 12. Route 12 had been quiet on most days. Today was not that day. Trucks moving gravel and road base barreled past us our first 6 miles. Matt noticed that they were turning off ahead and we celebrated thanking God for His Grace and safety on that busy two lane 6 mile stretch. The traffic eased up and we were back to our quiet country riding. We stopped and explored an old wooden bridge that spanned across the Mussellshell River.

Matt and I both agreed it told have been an amazing stealth campsite had we been there later. We got back onto our bikes and continue on into Golden Valley County.

Each hill Matt led the way up. I was straggling behind and walked up two of the hills after my speed dropped below 3.2 m.p.h. The strong winds were blowing as I watched Matt spin his pedals as he motored up each hill. We finally reached the town of Lavina. Matt and I pulled into the local corner store. We asked the attendant if the hotel was open and he directed us further down the road to Ryegate. A man named Tracy, gave us a ride there. He was very familiar with the town and showed us around before he dropped us off at the local park. We thanked him for the ride and encouraged him to read our blogs. Kindness abounds again!

As we unloaded our bikes we noticed that there was another bicyclist at the park. We met YoYo who is traveling to 48 states on Bob, his fat tire bicycle. He was ecstatic to see us. He had been on the road since February 8th, 2022 and had not met any serious bicycle tourists. He chatted with us most of the evening. Matt and I grabbed some provisions at the local store. Dinner tonight was eggs, bacon, cheese bagels with an appetizer of cheese, beef summer sausage, chicken salad and bagel slices.

After we cleaned up, Matt and I set up our hammocks under the pavilion. A cool breeze that was now a tailwind was blowing, beckoning us back to the road. But it was too late, we were already winding down in hammocks. Night fell and I was asleep quickly. Matt stayed up reading and YoYo retired to the other side of the pavilion.

The next morning it was in the 40’s. Matt and I packed up our hammocks and he made coffee. He shared our coffee with YoYo and apparently it was very strong. After taking a sip YoYo said “WOW!! This would take the paint off a car!” Lol just the way we like it! The local Cafe opened up at 8am and we all rolled over there to grab some breakfast and warm up. Our waitress was very inquisitive and Matt shared with her about our tour. Breakfast was delicious! The biscuits and gravy were absolutely awesome! Fueled up and ready to roll, we said our goodbyes to YoYo then stopped at the local grocery for ice, water and dinner fixings.

YoYo and his bike Bob have a YouTube channel. Subscribe to his channel below.

https://youtube.com/c/AdventureSeeker

Ryegate to Harlowton

We set out back on Route 12 and waved to YoYo. We had a light headwind but nothing to strong. We were set to do 45 miles today. The rolled along up and down mild hills among fields of hay, horses and cows. The antelope in the fields grazing were spooked by our presence as they ran away as we rolled passed them. Their big white bottoms bobbed in the distance as they bounded for the hills. They must be well fed in Montana because as my memory serves me they are very thin and scrawny in Northern Arizona.

We reached the little town of Harlowton and grabbed a break at the rest area. A storm was rolling in from the West. Dark clouds formed and radar confirmed it was the beginning of a 3 day weather system. Matt and I changed our plans and rode to the Country Side Inn in Harlowton. Just as Matt exited the office with keys to the room when thunder boomed overhead. Perfect timing! We got into our room and admired the workmanship of the remodel. Tongue and groove walls, concrete counter tops, stone tiled shower, light fixtures. This was really a nice rustic room with plenty of space for our bicycles. We settled in and rested. Dinnertime was approaching so Matt walked over to the local grocery store across the street. Rosie and I awaited his return. Matt walked in with a surprise for us. Eggnog and Carmel coffee flavored chapstick! We have been going through chapstick due to our windy days.

We stayed in for dinner and made Sloppy Joe’s. Quick and Delicious! With dishes done and my tummy full, it was bed time! Matt and I talked into the night about our travels, adventures and the coming days. Soon I was fast asleep next to my Love, my Best, my Matt.