Jul 10 - Day 16

Bikers began ride from motel in Havre, MT. Early morning temperature was 55 degrees but day heated up quickly and by afternoon was in low 90's. Ned had a flat tire on his bike about the time ladies came by in the van. They were unable to get out of the van because of swarming gnats and mosquitoes. Area has had unusually high amounts of rainfall allowing for more mosquito breeding. Jerry said he lived in Louisiana for several years and he thought there was a lot of bugs there but has encountered more here . Ride took them through the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. Local folks recommend no stopping and quick riding through this area. They saw a dead animal along the road, but could not identify it, maybe a badger. One observation made in Montana is that nothing is wasted, roadside grass is mowed, then baled for future use. Bikers completed 83 miles, last miles difficult against Northeast wind of 15-20 miles per hour, with gusts up to 30. Ladies picked bikers up 10 miles west of Malta, MT. We saw another roadway cross designating where seven people had died. New milestone for bikers, completed total of 1027 miles. Wow!