South and up to the Yellowstone

Rode due south today. Climbed all day but gradually. Leaving town this morning the temps were cool but sun soon warmed things up

Most of the morning still In ranch country but at the lunch break we had climbed to an. Ioverlook above EARTHQUKE Lake.  The lake was formed by a 7 point tremor in 1959

The rest of the day we rode on the shoreline of lake Hebgen

Along the way even the technology is disguised

Camping tonight in West Yellowstome

Wheat fields and getting to the real mountains

After sleeping like a log the day broke with sunshine and a steady 15 mph wind out of the north.  We were riding south all  day so it was a real help.

First part of the day was through wheat country.  The winter wheat not quite ready for harvest.

The fields must be measured in sq. miles instead of acres.

All day the mountains became more visible. 

Closer

And closer

After lunch be began a 7% climb for about two hours. The two pictures below show the road.  Long slow climb, but the pay off was a 5 mile descent. I braked at about 43 mph. Others in the group had speeds in the 50s and the tandem clocked 61.  Too fast for this old guy.

A view from the top

Tomorrow we we begin our entry into the Yellowstone area. Our mountain passes so far have been no higher than 6,500 ft.  Now we will see some up to 9,000 and higher.  So far no thin air problems. 

More Climbs / Warmer Temps

Left. Lincolm and climbed to Flesher Pass (about 6,100 ft). Great 15 mile downhill to lunch near Helena,the state Capitol

From there to Townsend our overnight town. It got really hot but again no humidity

The vast vistas are ever changing from lush mountain forest to dry rangeland

Looking forward to a good night sleep.

This store in the middle of.nowhere has everything.

State Capitol

The first crossing of the Missouri River....no deeper than a small creek.

From the mountains to ranch country

After a rest day on the campus of the University of Montana, today we headed for Lincoln leaving the mountains behind for a few days to ride through wide open spaces with few towns and big ranches.

First of the warm weather...actually hot but with humidity about 15%.

Some climbs but one of the easiest days so far.  The pictures below show the ever changing landscape. 

Lunch

First Week in photos

Some highlights...

Back wheel in the Pacific....

On the way to Skokomish

Lake behind Grand Coulee Dam

Awesome "Bikes Only" bridge

A wet morning before the climb to Thompson Pass

Along the road in Washington

Reflections on the first week

My body is more capable than I thought brought home by the climb to Thompson Pass in rain and sub 50 degree temps.

Cyclists are very cool people.

Riders range from a 40 yr old Aussie from Darwin to a 19 year old student from the UK. We have a 72 plus guy from Holland.  A couple from Denmark and two from Canada.  Several others from UK.

A diverse crew for sure    A father and son on a tandem.  The father, blind, is an Economics Prof. at Duke. 

The organizers of this ride are awesome 

Food has been great. Very tasty and lots of it.

The USA is beautiful

Animals spotted so far. The killer rabbit,  a moose, white tail deer, eagles. 

Looking forward to the next segment.

Some pictures from the week past...

100 mile valley

Today we rode from Thompson Falls to Missoula Montana distance of about 104 miles  We rode through one of the most picturesque valleys I've never seen and pictures below dp not do it justice

Tomorrow after I get some rest and do some laundry I will recap the awesome first six days of riding

Breakfast stop in Thompspn Falls 

The. Valley  was always changing

Cold & Rain

Woke this morning to steady rain and temps in the 50s.  Rode almost without stopping over Thompson Pass with some 10% grades.  A total of 69 miles  Cold and wet now in Thompson Falls.

 Welcome to Montana  

Sorry not many pictures today as I was afraid of getting iPhone wet.

Saw the largest black rabbit on the road today.  Almost ran into me. What a way to wipe out ,,,,,hitting a rabbit!

Out of Washington State

Got into Idaho today.  Good weather and not too hilly   Rode more than 40 miles on a bike path.   Saw a moose along the way.

Tomorrow we are off to Montana via the Thompsom Pass.  May be a cold wet day.

 

Take a look at the bridge for the bike trail

Long day

Turning in early. Long day

More tomorrow

Word for the day. CLIMB

Today was a long one....  102 miles.  Lots of climbing.  First thing, we climbed out of the Columbia River Valley to an awesome plateau.

Off to bed early for sure. Staying at a school at the Grand Coulee Dam.

Lunch

What a place for lunch!

A few more pics from today

Other side of the mountain miles of apple and pear trees.  I guess it is Harry and David Country

Up and Down

Day began with a 16 mile climb of 3,000 feet.  Yesterday I thought it was 2,000. Glad I didn't know it was that much until I finished it

Rest of the day was all down hill.

Me at the summit. 

Great Day

First day could not have been better. Bright sun, no humidity and temps in high 60s. Only about 2,000 ft of climb over 69 miles.

Ahead on Monday morning more than 2,000 ft of climb in less than 16 miles  but then a 50 mile downhill. 

Made it to Seattle

No hassle travel today.  Looking down from 35,000 ft., those mountains don't look  that bad.  Rain and cool today but Sunday promises to be very nice.   Get picked up on the AM for the short trip to Everett and the beginning of the ride Sunday. Ready to get going!

My bike made it to Everett, WA

Well my bike is in Everett, WA., waiting for me.  Just got back from a late evening ride.  May be my last before I leave Friday morning.  One more workout at the gym.  Can't believe I will be on the road Sunday morning.

Last Early morning training ride with my friend Joel.  Made it up Stout Road hill going 10 mph.  Soon will be in some real mountains.  Wish my riding buds were coming along

Thanks for the support

Since last fall I have been working out at Anytime Fitness in Harrison trying to get this old body ready for my trip.  The support and advice from Nick and others at the gym has been extraordinary and a great motivator.

Thanks Nick!  Just four more workout sessions before I leave next week.

Go west old man

The bike is headed west.  All cleaned up and packed thanks to my new "best bud," Steven, at the Trek Store in West Chester.  He did a great job.

I brought the bike to the UPS store this morning and it will soon be loaded on a truck on the way to Everett, WA.  Next time I see it I will be getting ready for the first day. It is a short hop, i.e. 68 miles, from Everett to Skykomish   (Damn I love that name.)

Weather today today in Skykomish is 66 and cloudy with showers in the afternoon.

Dropped bike today

Took my Domane in for a check up and boxing.  On to UPS later this week. Will need to ride my trusty Fuji for a couple weeks.