Apparently in the last 3 days we have gone through 3 of the top 10 worst towns in America, which seems pretty judgmental, and besides who gets to make these rankings anyway? I’m in Malta, MT, and actually it seems quite nice. I got a free shower at the Conoco Truck stop, and the lady who made me a ham sandwich was very friendly. Today was a tough day of riding; the miles are starting to catch up with me and little things go wrong on about day 7, things like forgetting to charge your Di2 electronic shifters, and my right achilles tendon acting up. But, I had friends to ride with today, and that makes all the difference.

Last night we watched Jumanji at the church, and there’s a major theme of the main character not being brave enough to stand up for himself and his values, and be brave, that for some reason really struck home with me. I think it’s a message that caught me in the right mood to hear it.

I rode today with Kelly. She’s great. She also played music the whole time. That was rad, because the terrain was as boring as all get out.

P.S. The Middle of Nowhere picture is from Glasgow; that is, believe it or not, their marketing slogan because apparently someone did a study and they are the city in the US which is furthest from the closest big city (I don’t know how you define big city, so don’t ask).

Oh! And today we saw a drug bust! We were in a small town along the way - Hendley? something? - at a tiny ice cream shop (really good ice cream) and a cop pulled a couple over and proceeded to start tearing their car apart - the full arrangement, plastic gloves and everything. In the middle of the street. The folks I was with were totally fascinated. I’m sure it wasn’t fun for the folks who got pulled over though.

Also, last but not least, I went to Radio Shack, which was a blast from the past. Still a cool store. Still wish we had one in Oakland.