Two Long Days

I'm posting this missive from the Dillion, Montana public library.

Wednesday

Rode 71 miles with a seat time of 539.

I rode from Missoula to Darby in beautiful weather. The ride was somewhat pedestrian, although part of the route took me through an area devastated by a 350,000 acre forest fire a few years back: nothing but blackened sticks. Riding south in the Bitteroot Valley reminded me of Shenandoah Valley albeit on a bigger scale. During the entire trip I had mountain ranges to both the East and West of me. I lunched in Hamilton, a nice town nestled against the Bitteroot Range. By in large WalMart has not seen fit to locate in Montana and the town centers remain vibrant.

Thursday

Rode 75 miles with traveling time of 7 - yes 7- hours.

The day began with a 3,300 foot climb out of the Bitteroot Valley and over Chief Joseph pass. Once over the pass I enjoyed a long downhill, following Trail Creek. The road follows the Nez Perce traditional route to the East, hence the name. It was a very nice ride for a portion than it was one long haul to Wisdom for lunch. I decided to go 18 miles further to Jackson, which offered a hot springs. I had the wind at my back and beautiful views of the Big Hole valley and mountain ranges to my West, but I was still challenged. It was a good day of riding to be sure.

The hot springs were great. The lodge had built a full size pool filled by continuously flowing waters from the spring: water was clear and the temperature was great! Just what the doctor ordered. I had a bath in the evening and in the morning. The temperatures really fall at this altitude (6,500 feet) and I dressed in socks and thermals around one in the morning. As a special treat I was able to watch the seventh game of the NBA championship on a large-screen TV.

Friday

A short day to Dillon: 48 miles with 4:00 moving time. The next stop was twenty-six miles away at Twin Bridges, but I was in no mood (nor shape) for a third 70-mile day. Unfortunately, Dillon is sponsoring a 157 bicycle circuit ride tomorrow and all the rooms were booked. I took a smoking room at a local hotel. Tomorrow its fifty-five miles to Virginia City.

Regrouping

Lewis and Clark stopped just West of Missoula in 1805 to prepare themselves for the trek over the Bitteroot Mountains. Having traveled over the Bitteroot I need to fix what's broke.

I'm glad I stopped to have the bike checked. Turns out the rear wheel has broken down and needs to be replaced. (Note to Rainbow Cycles - the rim went bad with approximately 1,700 miles. ) I also had to buy a new set of biking pants (Note to Rainbow Cycles: the Castelli pants broke down after some ten - fifteen days wear) and a rear carrier to replace the one that broke on the trail. New glasses to replace the Oakley's whose nosepiece wore out, an inexpensive rain jacket and a thermal cap finished the job.

Missoula

Composing this entry from a work station in the Liquid Planet coffee shop. It just turned 7 AM and nothing else is open. By my calculations, I have traveled over 910 miles since starting ( and, as you know, copped a ride for another 60 miles or so).

Monday (cont.)
The ride from Lolo Pass to Missoula was easy on the legs but somewhat mundane. The last ten miles were on the shoulder of a busy four-lane - what a rude awakening to civilization after yesterday! I know there are beautiful vistas that await, but I do believe I have seen the end of solitude on the road.

It was very warm, exceeding 90 degrees by late afternoon. Arrived around five and settled in for a one-day layover. I hate to do it but the bicycle needs care and feeding and there is some provisioning that needs doing. I also think it is prudent to give my body a day of rest after seventeen straight days on the road. It has been a great two-plus weeks on the road. I managed, with increasing ease, a number of serious climbs and have developed a frame of mind that understands that some of this is about beauty and some is about work. At the end of the day its all in the miles. I have no idea if I am ahead, on, or behind 'schedule'. I do know that terrain and sleeping locations determine distance and am comfortable that I will get as far as a get and take it from there.

Mileage 59.2: moving time of 5:29 hours.

Lolo Pass

I'm sitting at a work station provided the the USFS at the Lolo Pass visitor's center, having just finished a 1,700 climb up the pass: asprin and heat rub are keeping my knees in check and frequent streaches seem to be working for my back.

Saturday (cont)
We outlasted the rain, nursing a cup of coffee and pie for over two hours. Camped the nite at Three Rivers, the headwaters for the middle branch of the Clearwater River.

Total mileage for Saturday 51.1: moving time of 4:27 hours.

Sunday
Mileage 64.1 miles: moving time 5.28 hours.

Today's ride was simply beautiful, we followed the Lochsa River from Lowell to Powell. It is a designated wilderness reserve and there was nothing, absolutely nothing man-made, for the entire trip. I felt strong today and did not mind the fact that the entire ride was uphill. Spent the nite in a NFS campground in Powell. The Kiwis stayed in Lochsa Lodge and allowed me the use of their shower. It was a great sleep, just 100 yards from the Lochsa River. All I can say about Idaho, having just left the state, was that it was all as advertised.