Cycling through the Glacier national Park in Montana was a breathtaking experience especially in July when there is a warm sun yet the Glacier is still covered in pockets of snow! Where waterfalls are cascading down the mountains and the lakes are Emerald green! There is even a wall called the “Weeping wall” were a gazillion miniature waterfalls cascade! This is as good as it gets for cycling, not much traffic and surrounded by Gods magnificent creation of nature, I block out the pain of the 12.5mile climb to Logan Pass at 3500feet, I am trying to follow Cassandra woman’s winner of 2000 and 2001 RAAM, with Steve Born right on my wheel a 3 time finisher of RAAM! I am in good company! At the top of Logan Pass I can relax just enough time to take a photograph with my famous cycling buddies before they loose me on the hairy descent to St Mary’s a mere 18miles downhill! I stop to put on my thermal vest and beanie under my Rudy Helmet, the view is truly awesome and after refueling with Hammer supplements I gingerly set off on a VERY cold downhill, as my Cannondale screeches around the tight turns my teeth chattering my fingers numb, I cannot feel my toes but wow the view of St Mary’s Lake is breathtaking! There are a thousand conifer trees! I am 50 miles into a 136mile epic ride organized by Hammer Nutrition, whose products I 100% endorse! At ST Mary’s I am greeted by Hammer Staff who give personalized attention as I get a foot rub to get the circulation going in my left foot my water bottles are filled and more Perpetuem is put in my energy bottle, I take some Anti Fatigue Caps, Endurolytes and Race Caps and set off for the next 37miles to East Glacier add 2000 more feet of climbing…
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And so my 4 days of cycling went with the kind of personalized service you would expect if you were riding the Tour de France.. Yet I was in Whitefish Montana with about 30plus cyclists enjoying the hospitality of Brian Frank’s founder of Hammer Nutrition. This was the 7th year Hammer has opened its headquarters to athletes who already use Hammer Products and want to find out more about the products, how to use them in their racing and training season, to be able to ask Steve Born questions about supplementation and get 300miles of cycling in. Meanwhile the Hammer family and by that I mean the employees, make sure everyone is looked after while cycling the SAG support is second to none! Owen from cycling House is with us for 4 days, filling our bottles and reminding us to drink; everyone is looking out how to make our lives while cycling more enjoyable. Hammer Nutrition supplies everything from the water bottles to every supplement and energy fuel they make.
Flying out to Kalispell I discovered it was wiser to ship my bike via Fed EX than pay the fee of $150 one way on Delta for my bike!! Most other cyclists shipped their bikes ahead of time and when they arrived on the 9th July their bikes were fully assembled and ready to ride! How is that for service? As the 4 days went by, the food was gourmet and prepared by Brains wife Soni and his son Miles, Brian’s daughter Maddie also helped out through out the 4 days.
The cycling was unbelievable, I personally enjoyed all 4 days, the rides were a little different, day 1 is just really getting your legs spinning and finding out the capabilities of the group as we cycle around Whitefish. Day 2 is the highlight with 136miles in the Glacier National Park; usually 2 groups form; a fast group and a more leisurely group. The scenery is unbelievable I never went more than 20minutes before I saw a Hammer Nutrition vehicle! Photos were taken and a video shot, food was available at 80miles, every type of Hammer product was available. There was quite abit of climbing and I was glad to have a polar cs600 attached to my handlebars!The final 50miles to me were the most difficult the headwind was strong for the first 15miles then it was rolling hills until reaching West Glacier which signaled the end of the ride. On returning back to the headquarters massage was available and the use of the Globus unit for active recovery, as well as a huge BBQ including Salmon steaks and veggie options!! On day 3 the ride was a VERY scenic 70plus miles around Flathead lake this was rolling hills for most of the way and a fast pace for the first 32miles, I still managed to absorb the cherry groves and Flathead lake, the weather was warm and just so different from the Glacier National Park! At the end of the ride we were treated to a huge picnic near the boat launch at Somers, I even jumped into the cold lake to cool off! That evening Brian and his wife put on a huge BBQ at City Beach, I even went on the lake kayaking with Miles!! The food was really great fresh, no preservatives, all organic. Steve Born was on hand to help with the Globus units and answer any questions about the products. The final day was a 55mile ride at conversational pace, as this is the last day some cyclists opt for a shorter version of 35miles to avoid any more climbing or have early flights to catch. Back at Headquarters, there is again a gourmet lunch awaiting everyone, fresh organic salads, fresh fruit a variety of cheeses, Lasagna veggie or meat options and the availability of the Globus unit. I decided to pack my bike and ship it back home rather than pay the $150 fee!!
Once home I get a call from Owen, “we are sending off your bike today can I verify your address!” even after the cyclists have left Brian, Steve and everyone at Hammer headquarters are still looking after the visitors! E-mails to be answered, photos to be looked at, video to be edited etc
All in all a great way to discover Montana and how to fuel for long distance cycling, I came away with more than just the cycling miles but valuable information on how to use various supplements and be wiser on the food I put into my mouth,
More importantly I raised $2,100 to add to the Breast Cancer campaign I represent for AVON of Puerto Rico! I would also like to thank Steve and Cassie for there incredible hospitality, my husband Al for all his support in my Ultra endeavors, and Hammer Nutrition for their personalized care and attention.
