Day 66, Missoula

I woke in the glass walled room of the cyclist house. It felt nice to sleep indoors, the elements still visible from beyond the windows. Not that it rained or the weather was bad.

Almost immediately, I met one of the residents, Debbie Joyce.

Debbie, jamming out on the piano. Apparently the owner of the house hosts jazz concerts in his living room.

She suggested we go to the Good Food store for breakfast.

Perfect, I'm tired of peanut butter on tortillas.

During an incredible breakfast of bacon, biscuits and veggies, Debbie suggested we take a tour of Missoula. She wanted to show me her favorite things in town!

First stop was a coffee shop that was also suggested to me by George in Challis. Debbie knew the barista and we ordered Americanos - the special for the day.

We met a french couple at the coffee shop - Debbie heard them speaking french and jumped right into their conversation! She tried to include me, but my four years of high school french is a bit rusty, and I couldn't understand anything.

Next up were a few shops and art galleries - in which we bought chocolate covered espresso beans from an old quarter machine. Running on the sweet theme, we visited a chocolatier in the retro lobby of an old hotel. They still had a bank of payphones inside.

The last stop on the tour was Caras Park and Brennan's Wave.

We watched a kayaker and a few surfers attempt to ride the wave.

Debbie and I agreed to meet up tomorrow for coffee and we went our separate ways. I headed over to Bob's restaurant (the cyclist I met yesterday), Biga Pizza. Looking at all the awards they've won hanging on the wall, I couldn't wait to dig in.

I ordered a pizza, half Fennel Marmalade, Bacon & Gouda and half Meatball Verde. The latter topped with broccoli rabe, local beef, herbed mascarpone, mozzarella, garlic, olive oil & housemade cilantro-jalapeno sauce.

I definitely ate the last two slices.

Easily the best pizza I've had on this trip, and probably of all time. If you're in Missoula, you have to try a pizza from Biga, you won't be disappointed.

Not sure if I could continue to pedal, I headed over to the Adventure Cycling Association for my last stop of the day.

Checking out their headquarters and saying hi was the primary reason for stopping in Missoula. I guess it is a pilgrimage for cycle tourists.

Inside, they have a cozy area to hang out with free drinks and ice cream. One of the employees took myself and two others on a tour of their facility, showing off their various departments: producing the magazine, guiding tours & making maps. It was pretty neat.

Finally, they took a photo of me for their wall. They catalog every cyclist that passes through their doors.

I may even end up in their magazine!

Joe