July 13, Stage 7

July 13, Thompson Falls, MT to Missoula, MT. 109 miles, 3729 ft climbing (nothing steep, just some 1-2% grades lasting 10-14 miles, headwind from the south most of the way. Another beautiful ride that began with the usual lake or two, river, tall tree-lined, then became more barren with rocks and mountains in the distance. Rode last 20 miles with Stuart, who was a good friend of Bob Breedlove and rode tandem with Bob at Paris-Brest-Paris in 1995. He told of how with 60 miles to go on that 750 mile ride, they encountered a woman from Switzerland who was ready to give up, and how Bob talked her into visualizing a familiar 60 mile ride she had done many times in her home country. She decided to go on and finished. Typical Bob. Stuart attended Bob's funeral. The pain in my hip has continued when off the bike, and the pain in the muscle along the left side of my neck, which has bothered me for months became more intense today. Marsha has been encouraging a visit to an urgent care clinic, so I decided to give it a try. Urgent care clinics are not open in Missoula on weekends. Since there is nothing to do in Missoula on weekends, no one gets hurt! No taxis or buses on weekends. I walked to St. Patrick's Hospital, asked to be seen and asked for Cortizone shots in my hip and neck. The nurse told me that they do not give Cortizone shots in the emergency room, which was reinforced by the doctor. Then he said he could give me shot of Kenalog, which he considered having the same effect as Cortizone. He did and both neck and hip are feeling a little better right now. I will continue the Ibuprofin just in case. Tomorrow is the longest day so far, into Butte--136 miles. First 100 miles are a gradual incline that becomes steeper at the top. Will be a long day. Hope to get in by 5 or 6. Should be warm again with plenty of sunshine--Don't know why this is Big Sky Country, but it is.