Great Rides

I am drafting this at a roadside restaurant along the Middle Branch of the Clearwater River: we beat a heavy downpour to this retreat by less than five minutes. Someone was smiling on us.

Wednesday (cont)
Following my last posting I rode to the foot of Brownlee Dam on the Snake River. In doing so, I traveled down the Snake River gorge late in the afternoon. The temperature had cooled and the reflections of the bluffs in the river were fantastic. Only downside: the campsite was almost full.

Total moving time on Wednesday was 4:00 hours with 41.5 miles logged.

Thursday
The day began with a climb out of the Snake River gorge. With some exceptions, the 2,200 foot climb was relatively straightforward and offered some great views. Once atop the rest was downhill, first to Cambridge and, later, to Council where I spent the nite at a great little RV park.
Total moving time 5:30: total distance 51.5 miles.

Friday
Awoke around 1AM to a downpour: luckily I had left the bike inside the laundry room so nothing was wet. The rain was still heavy after breakfast and - with no interest in a 50 mile ride in the rain- I asked if there was a way the Kiwis and I could get a ride to Riggins, our next destination. The owner said "no problem" and the three of us rode the fifty in her covered pick-up. Wouldn't you know, the sun popped out as soon as we started. However, the down hill sections of the road that pralleled the Salmon River were quite dangerous, with many curves and little if any shoulders. Most importantly, the Salmon were running in the Salmon River, and there would have been no place for us to stay in Riggens had we rode in, as planned, in the late afternoon.

We asked to be left off just West of Whitebird pass so that we could make the climb - 2,600 feet of switchbacks with beautiful views of the valley we were leaving. I was taking my time until, from my newfound vantage point, I saw a storm coming my way. My speed doubled as if by magic. It was a great -albeit aphrensive - ride to the top and, from there, an easy down hill to Grangerville.

Total moving time 2:54 and total mileage 21.8.

Saturday
Today has been simply super. It started with a great descent into the Clearwater River gorge from the plain around Grangerville. Essentially, one takes a right-hand turn and follows a series of switch-backs straight down into gorge: beautiful. The route proceeded to follow the river downstream to Kooskia, a small town inside the Nez Perce reservation. From there we rode upstream along the middle branch of the Clearwater River, following the route taken by Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce as they fled - and fought off- the US Army.

The trip has taken on a comfortable rhythm. Usually the day starts with a significant climb out of one river gorge followed by a long descent northward within an adjacent river gorge to a camping site. The distance is usually determined by the terrain: there is little incentive to end the day with a 1,500 to 2,500 foot climb. Food varies, but lately it has been quite good.

Tomorrow we begin our ascent over the Lolo Pass - a two day event that features a 66 mile ride on Sunday through an area with no (none, nunca) services. The weather should be good and the road is said to be something else for its views.