Long-distance
bicyclist enjoys country roads, stops in Lincoln and uses library
internet
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[July 28, 2015]
LINCOLN
- When Jim Thompson of Missoula, Montana decided to visit his father
and other relatives in his home town of Richmond, Virginia, he
bought a one way plane ticket. He had decided a few weeks before the
trip to take his bicycle with him on the flight and pedal back to
Missoula.
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Thompson stopped in Lincoln on Monday after spending three and
half weeks on his return trip to Montana. He expects to complete the
trip in another three weeks. He spent last night in Clinton camping
at Weldon Springs. “I spend about 75% of my time camping,” he said.
He carries a GPS with him to plot the way. “I like to stick to
country roads as much as possible, although I do use two lane
highways when I have to. I usually don’t know where I am when using
country roads, but the scenery is wonderful,” he said. His bicycle
is specially designed for touring with twenty speeds.
After traveling to Lincoln on Route 10 on Monday morning, he was
just pedaling around taking in the sights when he came across the
Lincoln Public Library. He decided to stop in and see if there was
public access internet. Sure enough, the staff in the Carnegie
building directed him to the library’s computers. “I carry a
computer with me, but traveling by bike gives me time away from it.
I like that,” he said. “I like visiting small town America while I’m
cross-country biking,” Thompson said.
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Jim Thompson is a high school history teacher in Missoula. He
rides his bike to work every day, except during grim winter weather.
Having the summer off has allowed him time to take this trip. He
also is a mountain biker, so this jaunt from the east coast to
Montana is no big deal. While he doesn’t cross-country bike every
year, he has done several over the years. When asked about the
length of this trip, he just grinned and shrugged. He has been
touring by bicycle since 1984.
![](../images/072815PICS/Long%20Distance%20Bike%20Rider%20005_small.JPG)
Sunny skies and tail winds to Jim Thompson on his way home!
[Curt Fox] |