by admin | August 5th, 2009
Once again this year, Molly Pickall raised funds and participated in the Payden Memorial Foundation’s Blazing Saddles ride to help children with cancer and their families. The following is her account of this year’s ride. In past years, she has been joined by other TD members, but this year the Tour of the Bitterroot (in Hamilton) was held on the same weekend. Well done, Molly!
Living up to its name, the blazing hot heat of summer hit us last week, and I was a bit nervous to spend so much time on asphalt. However, on Saturday I got an early start at 6:30 am, and breezed up the first climb with a couple from Boston. My goal was to finish all the mountain passes before the sun really got bad and soon enough I was on top of Battle Ridge.
The 15 or so miles downhill to Wilsall were gorgeous. It’s this section of road that makes me love this ride! The Shields River Valley and the Crazy Mountains are one of Montana’s best landscapes, and it’s easy to forget your fatigue and the heat with all those gorgeous views.
In Wilsall, I picked up a riding buddy, Elaine from Helena, for the rolling 30 mile stretch (into a headwind!) back to Livingston. We clipped along most of the way at 22-23 miles per hour – picking up Matt Kraska in Clyde Park — and made it to the finish an hour earlier than I had expected!! Crossing the finish line you would have thought it was the Tour de France: cowbells, air horns, clapping and cheering. It makes you feel like a hero! The Payden volunteers and organizers really make it a fantastic experience!
This was the first year I didn’t have any teammates to ride part or all of the 80 miles with, and I was a bit apprehensive at first. My donors were all in my thoughts and I appreciate their well wishes and donations–they were great motivation! In all, it was the best year yet.
–Molly Pickall