DAY 9 (Tuesday June 26): Lincoln, MT to Townsend, MT. 91 miles. Averaged 18.6 mph for the ride. We had one big hill to climb near the beginning of the ride up Flesher Pass to the Continental Divide. It was approximately a 7 mile climb, not so bad, last 3.1 miles was at a 7-8% grade with switchbacks. Beautiful climb, but lots of head wind, up to 40mph gusts. We had head winds all morning. The mountain climb was followed by a funfilled 20 mile decend, with more switchbacks. We had great road conditions and reached 43mph. No more major climbs, but we had a steady head wind right up to Helena (Capital of Montana, which we toured by bike). Coming out of Helena, we had a strong tail wind that pulled us fast for about 20 miles, then in the last 5miles, turned on us and hit us with a heavy head wind which was one of the toughest head winds I have ever seen. I was pulling at 39 mph, hit the wind and struggled to get to 15 mph. Facts: (1) We saw a twister where the tail wind turned to head wind, (2) we where in Lewis & Clark territory, and (3) we learned beetles are killing the pine trees. They are burning trees to prevent them from jumping to new sections. Pictures: (1) view- Theo, (2,3) views, (4,5) looking down 1/2 way up Flesher Pass, at summit with Erin & Theo, (6) the decent, one of our tandems, (7) view, (8) Helena, (9) Sand storm, (10) view, (11) Townsend, MT, (12) Tim finally catches a train, (13,14,15) views.