As I write this I have The Proclaimers song “I’m Gonna Be 500 miles” in my head – 500 miles and hopefully quite a lot more.   I’ve also got a lot of Springsteen tunes in my head as well.

Route planning this week has taken me into 4 of America’s 50 States – Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana – and cost me a Bruce Springsteen ticket!!   I wasn’t going to go and see Bruce when he comes to Scotland this year – I was meant to be good and save my money for going to America – but every time I look at a map different place names jump out of me that remind me of Bruce songs –

  • Appalachian Trail (Outlaw Pete)
  • Badlands National Park (Badlands)
  • Nebraska (Nebraska)
  • Philadelphia (Streets of Philadelphia)
  • USA (Born in the USA)
  • Atlantic City (Atlantic City)

I’m sure there are many more but that was enough to prompt me to buy a ticket – yippee – can’t wait till the first of June!

So as well as taking me in into 4 of America’s States this section has taken me from Champoeg State Park in Oregon to Gardiner in Montana with a big dog leg so that I can cycle the “Going to the Sun Road” – according to google maps 1145 miles!   There is a much more direct route and I could knock off approx 280 miles and 3 to 4 days of cycling but I’m going for the long way round.  I’ve come across a trail walk up a hill called “Tom, Dick and Harry Mountain” – with a name like that it’s got to be done and it’s meant to have excellent view of the surrounding higher peaks.

My first ever bike tour was to Canada – I hoped to see bears and moose amongst other wildlife while I was there and I did – but was probably somewhat naive about what to expect – this isn’t necessarily a bad thing – knowing too much can make you worry unnecessarily!   As part of my trip to America I’ve been reading the Yellowstone National Park Trip Planner and have just got to “Bear Encounters” and I’m not sure I should have read it – here’s what it says:

  • If you encounter a bear (most common) – Back away slowly.   Do not run.
  • If a bear charges at you (rare) – stand your ground and use bear spray.
  • If a bear charges and makes contact with you (very rare) – fall onto your stomach and “play dead”.
  • If a bear attacks you in your tent (extremely rare) – fight back.

Still hoping I see some bears though.

No bears but saw lambs, primroses,  slow worms and a wee lizard while I was out on the bike this weekend,  and also encountered a sheep road block.