Stage 37 - Hamilton MT, 74mi (119km)

I surprisingly recovered very well from yesterday’s hard ride – I can tell, that after five weeks I have become in very good shape. However, anticipating for the remaining days to ride I want to give my body some rest and decided to cut today’s original ride to Missoula in half, which meant, aiming towards Hamilton a comparatively short and easy day and heading for Missoula (41mi) tomorrow, headquarters of Adventure Cycling .

I cycled past the Big Hole National Battlefield (1877) but didn't go in.

The climb from Wisdom to the major pass of the day was 26mi (41km). The first 22mi were very gentle and it was a lovely quiet ride through forested country. The final 4mi were steeper. 

Two hours after starting the climb, I reached Chief Joseph Pass. This was my ninth crossing of the continental divide and I think is my last on this trip. 

It leaves me on the Pacific side of the watershed, which is where I want to be. The descent for me was fantastic. 13mi - this must surely be the longest and most enjoyable downhill of the whole trip.

On this side of the pass I was in another of these scenic valleys, with the long range of the Bitterroot Mountains to my left and the Bitterroot River meandering from side to side of the road I was on.