Month: June 2013

Road stories 1

Posted on by mikebike

I thought I’d share some of the stories of the road before they are forgotten.
I was having lunch and a small cafe in Lyle Washington. sitting next to me at the counter was a older lady enter 70’s or early 80’s. we got talking about crossing the country. she told me that when she was younger she and two girlfriends from high school rode horses from Portland Oregon to St Joseph Missouri following the Lewis and Clark trail. they started in May and ended in October she said their asses were sore too. three horses and a pack horse they were supplied food once a week and depended on total strangers for everything else. she carried a Winchester rifle just in case. even though it was over 50 years ago you could still see you the gleam in her eye when she talked about this trip. later when I was on the road alone I got thinking about this lady. maybe this journey isn’t about me.

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June 18th

Posted on by mikebike

Powell Idaho to Missoula Montana 59 miles. 761 miles from the Pacific. I decided to get up early and have a light breakfast and then head out over low pass. the air was crisp, cool, and thin as I chugged my way up Lolo Pass. the views of the snow capped Rockies we’re awesome. my legs burned in my lungs made funny wheezing noises as I approach the summit. but all that was forgotten once I got to the visitor center at the top. a couple cars on the way up slow down to cheer me on. they gave me the thumbs up sign. every little bit helps. 14 miles up and then 30 miles down the other side to Lolo hot springs for breakfast. by noon it was over 90 degrees. by 3 p.m. I pulled into Missoula sweaty and tired. I stop by the Adventure Cycling office on my way to the hotel I got my picture taken along with all the other crazy bikers that do this trip. I told myself I would see how it goes once I get to Missoula. well, its going great. the engine is running fine. I decided its not a trip, its a journey.
cheryl will be flying out to Missoula to meet me on Thursday. we will have the long weekend together. we plan on going to Glacier National Park by car. I wonder if it will feel funny riding in a car after if all those miles on the bike. and then I’ll be heading out for more adventure. I will start up the blog again when I return from the much needed rest and relaxation. thanks again for all your kind words of support and good karma.

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June 17th

Posted on by mikebike

Bitteroot wilderness camp Idaho to Powell Idaho 42 miles. 702 miles from the Pacific. I got up early and packed up tent and camping gear. I jumped back onto Highway 12 and headed east up the Lochsa canyon. The views were spectacular, the road was good and the traffic was light. about 10 a.m. I had to take off my cold weather gear as the temperature began to rise. by noon it was 90 degrees. by 1 o’clock I was tired after climbing all day. So i stopped at the Lochsa lodge to have lunch followed by Huckle berry cheesecake. I decided to call it a day and rented a cabin.
Powell is not really a town. it has a gas station and a couple cabins. the cabins were part of the Lochsa Lodge. they have beautiful views of the Bitterroot mountains and delicious food. I asked myself if this was heaven. after dinner I had a huckleberry float (see photo) now that was heaven. I met up with several groups of bikers that we’re going to climb Lolo Pass tomorrow. we all seemed to have the same plan of sneaking up on the mountain pass and then making a run for it. Lolo Pass is on the agenda for tomorrow its a 14 mile climb straight up to 5235 feet. I am hoping the cheesecake will give me that extra boost to put me over the top. the pictures are of the bitterroot wilderness Valley and the Lochsa lodge. I received some nice Father’s Days greetings from my kids – thank you Rachel, Glen, Pablo and Dominik. Take care, free bird

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June 16

Posted on by mikebike

Kaniah Idaho to Bitterroot wilderness. 60 miles. 661 miles from the Pacific. the good night’s rest and pasta did the trick. I felt good today climbing along the clearwater and Lochsa (pronounced lock saw) rivers. following the beautiful canyon up the mountain. the day started cool in the low fifty’s then the temperature climbed as I did. By the time I finished it was 95 degrees. I setup “camp happy” in a national park site and then jump into the cold clear river. I could only stay under water for a few seconds at a time. the water was like ice but very refreshing. this is some of the prettiest country I’ve seen yet. large cedar and ponderosa pine trees filled the valley making it smell like a cedar chest. pretty butterflies are everywhere and several of them landed on my bike and rode along for awhile. the wild Lochsa is host to many kayakers as they run the miles in miles of rapids. I wonder what lewis and clark thought as they shot rapids in there wooden boats. Maybe “shit” watch out for that rock. if you’re looking at a map you can see I’m sneaking up on lolo pass. at 5235 feet she is what is between me and missoula. tomorrow I’ll sneak a little closer. maybe she won’t see me coming and then make my run at it on tuesday. I will need a fully charged batteries. lolol is a legend at destroying bikers pride. Take care.
Ps happy birthday to my rachel. and happy father’s day to all your dads.

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June 15

Posted on by mikebike

Winchester Idaho to Kaniah Idaho. 45 miles. 601 miles from the Pacific. Went for a hike in the park and got a later start on the road. My energy was low all morning. Maybe it was from the big climb yesterday, or from lack of sleep at the camp site where everyone had a barking dog or two.
My first good view of the Rocky Mountains as I headed east on hwy 95. They are beautiful snow capped peaks. I was singing America the beautiful no one could hear but a few cows and horses. More cannolla fields in full yellow blooms that fill the air with a flowery smell. The afternoon was a long nine mile down mountain run. I was still feeling burt out, so I stopped for a nap under a shade tree. I limped into town and got some ice cream and a hotel room. I think I need a big bowl of pasta and soft bed. The weather has been sunny and warm and great for biking. I have lot to be grateful for as I think about fathers day tomorrow. Take care.

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June 14th

Posted on by mikebike

Hells gate st park (Lewiston Idaho) to Winchester st park (Winchester Idaho) 41 miles. 556 from the Pacific.
A great day to be on the bike. A 15 mile climb on old Winchester grade road. Omg what beautiful views. I met three car all day. It was the toughest mountain so far. I was told by another biker that these get ya in shape for whats to come. Bring it on I say. My engine is feeling strong and used all three water bottles today. Had a great sleep last night thanks to my new friend greg for selling me a sleeping bag liner from his store in Lewiston.
The smell of pine, wild roses, and fresh cut hay filled the fresh mountain air as I approached 4200 feet in elevation. Fields of cannola and rape seed were in full bloom in the valley below. One bee entered my shirt and stung my chest. Ouch. I did not take it personal.
Had a big ribeye for supper and mix berry pie to follow. Washed some clothes for tomorrow and then going to the rangers wolf movie. If I can stay up til 9pm. I doubt it. Take care – freebird

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June 13

Posted on by mikebike

lewis and clark state park near Dayton Washington to Lewiston Idaho. 91 miles. 515 miles from the Pacific.
A really long day today. I am camped at hell gate state park just outside of Lewiston on the snake river. Some big climbs today. Over the summit was a 4 mile up mountain and then a really fast down. I revise my speed rule to under 30 mph after I hit 46 mph. A fully loaded bike gets squirrely so I made a note to self. Wind power is big here. I must have seen several hundred again today. They are lined up on every hill top.
Some sun
early and much cooler, some rain in the afternoon and again as I set up camp. I am bushed so hitting the sack early. Take care

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June 12th

Posted on by mikebike

wawa wala washington to lewis and clark state park ( near Dayton Washington). 33 beautiful miles. 424 miles from the Pacific.
walla walla turn out to be a really nice town, and it’s kind of fun to say wala wala. yesterday afternoon and this morning was my rest day. I did laundry took my bike to the bike shop for chain cleaning and a check up and took a couple naps. I met up with some other bikers and I saw way back in St Helens. they said they were camping here tonight but no sign of them yet. the ride out of wala wala past amber waves of grain just like in the song. I’m gaining altitude and things are greener and trees have reappeared. much better than the high desert of the last couple days. beautiful wild flowers along the road and big ponderosa pines . I am camping next to the Touchet river another beautiful babbling brook.
My biker friends just showed up, so I will have some company. Take care

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June 11th

Posted on by mikebike

Umatilla oregon to walla walla Washington 53 miles. 391 miles from the Pacific.
a great day to be on the bike. followed the Columbia River Gorge for the first 20 miles and then started the climb out. this river has been good to me. she gave me a consistent tailwind, a place to cool off at the end of the day, and spectacular scenery. I was thinking how Lewis and Clark felt when they first came to this area over 200 year ago as I retraced their steps. Today there were fields of onions, potatoes and more wineries. did my laundry at the hotel then and getting massage this evening and that should help tune up the engine. life is good.

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June 10

Posted on by mikebike

Mary Hill State Park to Umitilla oregon 86 miles. 334 miles from the Pacific. my day started at the butt crack of dawn. flat air mattress last night so sleeping was not so good. a skunk decided to visit my site. maybe he smelled this biker. a big long climb out of the Columbia River Gorge today what a beautiful view from the top, like being on top of the world. not much wind today but beautiful sunshine again. the climate has totally changed from a few days ago. it’s now a scrub brush and sagewith some fields irrigated for peaches and grapes. not much traffic not many people out here. I stop for a cafe for breakfast in the middle of nowhere. it was a blessing. the owner had me sign our guestbook just like all the other bikers of passed through. this is happened several times to me, it’s kind of neat seeing where other folks are headed and where they’re from. I’m in a hotel tonight resting my weary butt bones and fixing my leaking air mattress. my engine is running fine, a little over heating today as it was 83 miles between water stops. sure made that shower feel good. I think the pictures are working now. enjoy and take care thanks again for all the nice comments. it keeps me going.

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