Sunday 6/17/18

Wisdom to Dillon

The shelter at Wisdom kept us dry as it rained off and on during the night. That morning while waiting out the rain I arranged a Warmshowers host at Dillon.

We finally got riding about 11AM as the rain quit. Luckly we had just occasional drips thru the day. It probably never got above 50 degrees and low heavy clouds all day.

The valley we were riding out of is called Big Hole. It is supposed to look about the same as when the Lewis and Clark Expedition saw it. Probably just a lot more cattle now.

We had two passes to cross. The first about 1000 feet of climbing and the second about 800. The second ended up being a battle with wind. At times I thought about walking as that was all I was doing pedaling.

As I crested the summit the most amazing site greeted me. With the low clouds and colors, the land and sky appeared to meald together like some classic painting of the creation. I would have taken a picture but my fingers were again nearly frozen.

Nishanth and I made it to Dillon just as more rain started. Larry met us with his truck and gave us a lift to his home. The final couple miles of dirt rode was very muddy due to the rain.

We had a good meal of spaghetti and enjoyed the company of other cyclist staying. Edwin who flagged me in to the shelter at Wisdom was one. I was glad we would both be warm tonight.

Days miles about 65.

Saturday 6/16/18

Darby to Wisdom

We woke to steady cold rain. Luckly we were inside at our Warmshowers host, Curtis Bunton. He did not expect the group to leave while still raining. Folks were checking their devices to best guess when it might pass by. It looked like it could be early afternoon. I helped Curtis cook some breakfast for the group. After the warm meal, Curtis took every one to the grocery store. The next two days ride was supposed to have limited services so to have some extra food.

On getting back we kept one eye on the forcast and the other on the mudpuddle.

Finally about 2PM it quit. Nishanth and I quickly packed and I headed out first. The town of Wisdom was the goal. About 55 miles of riding, two passes and about 3200 feet of elevation gain. I hoped to make Wisdom by dark if I made minimal stops and reasonable conditions.

 Leaving Dardy I had tailwind most of the way to the pass. A cyclist coming the other way said the pass was clouded in but not raining. It was the same when I went over but cold in the upper 30’s. Since I was sweating from the climb, the descent was bone chilling cold. Beautiful scenery but fingers to staff to take pictures. Could hardly move the shift leavers. Coming off the mountain was about 10 miles of open plain that had a  strong cold sidewind.

I did make it to the American Leagon pavilion which was an open building. At least we were out of the rain.

Days miles about 55.

Friday 6/15/18

Lolo Pass visitors center to Danby, Montana

I set the alarm for 6:30. That got us up before folks starting coming in to use the restroom. So the plan worked to sleep in the visitors center bathrooms where it was heated. The low at the pass was in the upper 30’s.

The visitors center opened at 7:30 and had coffee and hot chocolate. So we had a good breakfast of peanut butter sandwiches with the hot beverages.

The ride down the Montana side of Lolo pass was a nice ride but slower than I thought it would be. I understand it is notorious for headwind. So steady pedaling even though going downhill.

At Lolo Nishanth and I stopped at the gas station that had a Quiznos. Soon a local cyclist who was following the race met us. Roger had two grandsons with him who were very interested in Nishanth and his being from India. After finishing eating Roger rode with us a few miles and did a short video interview that he was going to post.

During our lunch we had arranged a Warmshowers host at Darby. Darby was about another 50 miles from Lolo which would give us a good day for Miles. We had a strong tailwind so the plan seemed reasonable. Unknown to us was a storm blowing thru ahead. About 20 miles from Darby the storm came in and the tailwind turned to a strong headwind and light rain. Luckly the worst lasted 30 minutes and then the wind backed off. Not the conditions we had but better.

We got to Curtis Burton's home about 8PM. He had a nearly full house with 5 other cyclist already taking shelter there. He had a spaghetti meal waiting for us. We enjoyed the company of Curtis and the other cyclist. After eating we cleaned up and settled down on the available floorspace in the basement. Curtis had been a trucker and had some moving blankets and Cushioning pads. So the accommodations were relatively deluxe compared to the visitors center bathroom floor.

Days miles about 85.

Thursday 6/14/18

Lowell NFS Wild Goose Campground to Lolo Pass visitors center

After sharing breakfast with Forest and Lucas, we got going. We rode just a couple miles and stopped at Lowell for coffee and Wi-Fi.

Today was going to be the Lochsa River valley. About 70 miles without services. We could get safe drinking water at NFS campgrounds but that would be it.

Once a few miles out of Lowell, it was all NFS land and no development. Just the highway and God's creation. It was 70 miles of amazing beauty. Since we were going upriver, we were always gaining elevation. So always a bit more effort needed than level ground

Finally making it to Powell, we got some coffee, Wi-Fi access and made sandwiches from our remaining supplies.

We decided to try going over Lolo Pass but probably should not have. When Nishanth and I made it to the pass,it was near dark and cold. I thought it dangerous to decend and risk hypothermia and unseen potholes. Luckily the visitors center restrooms were unlocked and warm.

Some of the racers are quiting due to issues with the cold and lack of being properly equipped for it.

So tonight we are good and will start out for Missoula once the sun is up enough to take the chill off.

Todays milage about 80, nearly all uphill!

Wednesday 6/13/18

White Bird to Lowell

Slept very well at the Baptist Church. We wanted to get going to start the climb before the day warmed up. After a breakfast of cheese sandwiches, fruit and coffee we headed out.

We were on the old highway 95 which was an amazingly beautiful ride out of the Salmon River Canyon. The road had tight switchbacks making the grade fairly gental. The 4700 feet of climbing over 8 miles was relatively easy. The sharp switchbacks made for great views of the valley below. Once we creasted, the road stayed on a ridge with a gradual descent into Grangeville. Occasionally there would be a break in the pines and you could look on to the agricultural valley below.

We made it into Grangeville for a nice sit-down lunch. We enjoyed the meal immensely after the mornings climb.

The scenery out of Grangeville dramatically changed to open agricultural fields from the evergreen forests and mountains.

Finally we made it to Kooskia and made a grocery store stop. After a short meal eaten out front we headed up the Clearwater River Canyon. We were back to the scenery we gotten used to.

We stopped just short of Lowell at Wild Goose Campground. A primitive National Forest Campground right beside the Clearwater River. Tonight Nishanth and I will fall asleep to the background sound of the roiling river. Much better than sprinklers!

Miles rode today about 65.

Tomorrow we travel about 70 miles of very isolated highway without services. We have some extra food bought and I purchased water purification tablets.

Tuesday 6/12/18

Council to White Bird

Rested well sleeping in the Council post office lobby. The few folks coming in before we dozed off were very interested in Nishanth and mine trip and adventures. Not sure if they were really on board with us since it involved bicycling long distances and sleeping in unusual places.

We got coffee at the gas station and ate breakfast while sitting on the sidewalk of the sunny side of the station.

Once full of cheese sandwiches and coffee we got back on the road. We had most of our available clothing layers on as the low was 36 degrees. Much cooler than India or Missouri. Within the first hour as the sun got higher, we were stopping to shed layers.

95 followed the Weiser River which was pretty but we were sharing it with logging trucks and even tandem trailers. The shoulder was mostly too narrow for comfort. In time we passed by the sawmill the felled trees were being hauled to.

The road and scenery got much better after New Meadows. 95 entered the Little Salmon River Canyon. Now we were back to stunning beauty like the Hells Canyon Scenic Bypass. Eventually it became the Salmon River Canyon and took us all the way to White Bird. What a days riding! And no significant canyon wind today.

We made a grocery store stop at Riggins. Had a picknic table outside where we ate our supper. Again many folks interested in our adventure. Will be hard going back to a regular person after finishing the race.

We got put up at the White Bird Pleasant View Baptist Church. We will sleep warm again tonight and again no sprinklers!

The push to White Bird was to be set up for the pass to Grangeville in the morning. Better to climb in the cool morning hours. It is a 4700 foot climb over about 8 miles distance. That should really wake the legs up!

Today's distance about 92 miles.

Monday 6/11/18

Halfway, Oregon to Council, Idaho

Today was one month since I worked my last day at the University. Thinking on it, I guess I will say my life has been much more interesting.

Today we rode again in Hells Canyon Scenic Bypass on Highway 86 to Oxbow. Then we took Highway 71 which was a similar canyon but now the Snake River. Very similar scenery as before.

While taking a break at a restaurant/gift shop near Oxbow, a 1913 Pierce Arrow pulled in. The owners were from Clifton, Illinois not far from where my wife Joyce is from. There were 20 similar cars involved in an organized tour of 2500 miles. During the afternoon cycling around Brownlee Reservoir, we keep seeing Ford model T’s and other 100 plus year old cars go by.  Most of the cars were open air and folks dressed in garb befitting the cars.

As we rode along Brownlee Reservoir we had a fierce canyon headwind. The lowest gear was needed even on level ground. We rode about 4 miles this way. Then we finally turned out of the wind only to start a 2000 foot climb.

Once over the pass we easily cycled into Cambridge where we got a few items and then ate on the bench in front of the grocery store.

We decided to push on to Council for the night. About another 22 miles. We thought we could make it by dark and did by riding hard and not stopping.

For the night we cleaned up at a city park bathroom and settled down in the post office lobby for the night. Much warmer than camping in the park.

Total miles for the day about 80.