June 24, 2013 Day 16 Riding Day 24 of trip.
First flat today. Hit a rock and it pinched the tube inside the tire. Did not damage the tire.
Lots of beautiful scenery going up Hoback Canyon.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Jackson Hole to Bondurant, WY
June 24, 2013 Day 16 Riding Day 24 of trip.
First flat today. Hit a rock and it pinched the tube inside the tire. Did not damage the tire.
Lots of beautiful scenery going up Hoback Canyon.
Monday, June 24, 2013
Sunday in Jackson Hole, WY
Attended church in the above chapel. Brother Haws, who is a judge, was the Sunday School teacher. The lesson was on The Word of Wisdom. He told us that of all the cases that come before him in court where a crime was committed, 80% of those crimes were committed by a person under the influence of alcohol or drugs. I'll tuck that story in my mental computer and use it when appropriate.
The next picture is from the street next to the church where you can see the ski runs on the mountain.
After meetings I became a pedestrian and wandered around the Town Square area and ate lunch. Then later in the evening I pedestrianed (my own concoction of a word) again and had dinner.
Flagg Ranch Resort to Jackson Hole, WY
Slept 10 hours last night. Man. did that feel good. Left Flagg at 9:30, arrived at Jackson Hole at 6:30.
Journey today was 55 miles. First five miles were uphill and kind of tough. But, then the last 50 miles were much easier. Today was just a beautiful ride. The Grand Tetons and the surrounding scenery is beautiful.
The last 25 miles into Jackson Hole was on a paved bike path alongside the highway.
Got a room and then had to ride about a mile to the nearest laundromat. While the laundry was going I went next door and had a great mexican dinner.
The pictures are different views of the Grand Tetons and some of the flowers along the way today. Also, a view of the Snake River.
Campground in Yellowstone to Flagg Ranch Resort
Flagg Ranch Resort is two miles outside South Entrance to Yellowstone Park.
Forty one degrees at 7:00 am. Cold for a Mesa kid.
Crossed the Continental Divide three times today. Tough climbs. I'm getting pretty good at unclipping my right shoe, hitting the brake, and getting that right foot on the ground to keep my balance and not tip over. After the last pass it was easy riding down to Flagg.
Two days riding in the Park and I never saw any wildlife. That's a good thing. I've seen bears before.
The bed in the lodge felt so good after last night and those climbs over the Divide.
West Yellowstone to Campground in Yellowstone
June 20, 2013 Day 13 Riding Day 20 of Trip.
Hello Wyoming. Goodbye Montana. Montana, you are a beautiful state.
Got to a campground just before the climb up to the first pass over the Continental Divide a little after 8:00 pm. I was too cold to eat dinner and I didn't want to attract any bears with the smell of food. I was the only person in the campground.
I pitched my tent and crawled into my bedroll, but I couldn't get to sleep because I was so cold. Again it was a night of many catnaps, tossing and turning. I don't think I got more than three hours of sleep.
I may have even been hallucinating during the night. I would open my eyes and against the moonlit sky I could see big spiders crawling up the outside of the tent. Amazing what the imagination can do.
I double bagged all my food in ziplock baggies and had my bear spray within easy reach.
Had to wait for the bike shop to open so I could get the gears tuned up. They work perfect now. Ate a huge breakfast while waiting for bike. It is sooooo cold. I put my thermals on. Looked like it could rain, but it didn't.
Got to a campground just before the climb up to the first pass over the Continental Divide a little after 8:00 pm. I was too cold to eat dinner and I didn't want to attract any bears with the smell of food. I was the only person in the campground.
I pitched my tent and crawled into my bedroll, but I couldn't get to sleep because I was so cold. Again it was a night of many catnaps, tossing and turning. I don't think I got more than three hours of sleep.
I may have even been hallucinating during the night. I would open my eyes and against the moonlit sky I could see big spiders crawling up the outside of the tent. Amazing what the imagination can do.
I double bagged all my food in ziplock baggies and had my bear spray within easy reach.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Driftwaters RV Resort to West Yellowstone
First mechanical problems with bike today. I stopped to read a billboard and the wind blew my bike over. When I started riding again some of the gears were shifting on their own. This worried me. I found some gears where it wouldn't slip and made it ok.
Pictures are of the side of the mountain that slid into the Madison River and damming it killing 26 people during the earthquake on the night of August 17, 1959. The other picture is where the water runs out of Earthquake Lake. Eventually the dam will be eroded away by the water and the lake will disappear and the river will be like before.
Last 13 miles to West Yellowstone were cold and rainy. The low in the morning is predicted to be 27 degrees. By the time I got to bed I think it was getting close to that.
Ennis to Driftwaters RV Resort
Driftwaters RV Resort is ear the junction of SR87 to Raynolds Pass that dips down into the northeast corner of Idaho. My original plan was to take that route but I changed my mind and am taking the route by Earthquake Lake.
Dave Morgan warned me in Sheridan that the winds over Raynolds Pass would start about 1:00 pm and come down the Madison River Valley right into my face. They started at 11:45. I only averaged 6 mphI.
As I was exiting the restaurant at the RV park I came face to face with Bob Devane the movie actor. I recognized him and he shook my hand and said "I didn't think you'd make it this far."
The picture is the gateway to the Lonesome Dove Ranch.
Sheridan to Ennis June 17, 2013
Rode thru the little towns of Laurin, Nevada City, and Virginia City. Virginia City is a tourist town. Lots of cute shops, candy shop, Ice Cream Store.
After Virginia City began a 4.2 mile climb up to a pass. Mostly 6% to 10% grade. I walked about three of those miles. Then a 10 mile downhill coast.
The coast was wild. I recorded it on the GoPro Camera but it's not where I think it's supposed to be on the computer. When I get that worked out I'll post it.
Stacks of Elk antlers by a store in Ennis.
After Virginia City began a 4.2 mile climb up to a pass. Mostly 6% to 10% grade. I walked about three of those miles. Then a 10 mile downhill coast.
The coast was wild. I recorded it on the GoPro Camera but it's not where I think it's supposed to be on the computer. When I get that worked out I'll post it.
Stacks of Elk antlers by a store in Ennis.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Dillon to Sheridan June 15-16, 2013
June 15, 2013 Saturday Day 9 Riding Day 15 of trip
It's a beautiful day for riding. Temperature in the 60"s, slight tailwind and pretty much a level ride.
Ate lunch at a grocery store in Twin Bridges. Met two cyclists there from Brooklyn on their way to Portland, OR.
A change in direction towards Sheridan now created a headwind. Checked into a motel in Sheridan and then had a steak dinner at the Inback Steakhouse.
June 16, 2013 Sunday Went to church at the Sheridan Ward. It is Fathers Day. They gave all the fathers there a 16 ft. tape measure. Attached to the tape measure was a card with a quote credited to Robert South which read "If there be a truer measure of a man than by what he does, it must be by what he gives." HAPPY FATHERS DAY.
Having trouble uploading pictures onto blog. Check out by instagram: @larryontwowheels
It's a beautiful day for riding. Temperature in the 60"s, slight tailwind and pretty much a level ride.
Ate lunch at a grocery store in Twin Bridges. Met two cyclists there from Brooklyn on their way to Portland, OR.
A change in direction towards Sheridan now created a headwind. Checked into a motel in Sheridan and then had a steak dinner at the Inback Steakhouse.
June 16, 2013 Sunday Went to church at the Sheridan Ward. It is Fathers Day. They gave all the fathers there a 16 ft. tape measure. Attached to the tape measure was a card with a quote credited to Robert South which read "If there be a truer measure of a man than by what he does, it must be by what he gives." HAPPY FATHERS DAY.
Having trouble uploading pictures onto blog. Check out by instagram: @larryontwowheels
June 13, 14, 2013
June 13, 2013 Thursday Stayed in Dillon with the Cleverleys' to rest up. I was really tired after those climbs over the passes the previous three days.
Went to an American Legion baseball game of Murlene's nephew. His team is from Missoula and teams from other cities were here for a tournament.
Upgraded my GoPro camera and tried to catch up on the blog.
June 14, 2013 Friday. Raining and cold this morning. Temperature outside was 32 degrees. The news said the snowplows were out clearing the snow off Big Hole Pass, the pass I came thru two days before. So I stayed another day in Dillon.
Dillon is where my wife Joyce lived from 3rd grade thru 7th grade before moving to Mesa in the 8th grade.
Spent all morning at the Dillon Museum. It's quite a large museum. Kindle Cleverley volunteers there and he gave me the VIP tour.
Went to an American Legion baseball game of Murlene's nephew. His team is from Missoula and teams from other cities were here for a tournament.
Upgraded my GoPro camera and tried to catch up on the blog.
June 14, 2013 Friday. Raining and cold this morning. Temperature outside was 32 degrees. The news said the snowplows were out clearing the snow off Big Hole Pass, the pass I came thru two days before. So I stayed another day in Dillon.
Dillon is where my wife Joyce lived from 3rd grade thru 7th grade before moving to Mesa in the 8th grade.
Spent all morning at the Dillon Museum. It's quite a large museum. Kindle Cleverley volunteers there and he gave me the VIP tour.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Jackson to kDillon,MT Day 8 Riding Day 12 of Trip
June 12, 2013
There are five words to describe todays ride: Wind, windy, windier, headwind, and crosswind. The wind does know how to blow up here.
Was passed by two young guys from Ireland riding from Vancouver, BC to New York and another youngster from Australia riding from Seattle to Boston.
Coming into Dillon I hadn't passed any hotels. It was a little after 7 pm on Wednesday so it was activity night at the church, so I pulled in to ask where the hotels were. A lady and her son and granddaughter were coming out of the church. They told me where the motels were in town and I left. I stopped at a stop sign and they pulled alongside and offered me lodging in their guest room. Ended up staying there two days and three nights. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were hard rides climbing over four passes so I rested Thursday. Friday morning is was raining and the temperature was 32 degrees. The snow plows were out clearing the snow off the road over Big Hole Pass where I passed on Wednesday. So I stayed another day.
Spent all morning Friday at the Museum in Dillon. Spent the afternoon trying to get pictures posted on this blog but not having any success getting them to upload.
There are five words to describe todays ride: Wind, windy, windier, headwind, and crosswind. The wind does know how to blow up here.
Was passed by two young guys from Ireland riding from Vancouver, BC to New York and another youngster from Australia riding from Seattle to Boston.
Coming into Dillon I hadn't passed any hotels. It was a little after 7 pm on Wednesday so it was activity night at the church, so I pulled in to ask where the hotels were. A lady and her son and granddaughter were coming out of the church. They told me where the motels were in town and I left. I stopped at a stop sign and they pulled alongside and offered me lodging in their guest room. Ended up staying there two days and three nights. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were hard rides climbing over four passes so I rested Thursday. Friday morning is was raining and the temperature was 32 degrees. The snow plows were out clearing the snow off the road over Big Hole Pass where I passed on Wednesday. So I stayed another day.
Spent all morning Friday at the Museum in Dillon. Spent the afternoon trying to get pictures posted on this blog but not having any success getting them to upload.
Friday, June 14, 2013
Lost Trail Pass to Jackson MT
June 11, 2013 Day 7 Riding, Day 11 of Trip.
Headed for Chief Joseph Pass, 1.3 miles away. This is the Continental Divide.
Then a beautiful downhill ride thru forests and alongside mountain streams.
Met a young couple from Virginia riding to Astoria, OR. also.
Visited the Big Hole Battlefield National Monument where the Nez Perce Indians were slaughtered by the U.S. Cavalry.
Hadb pizza for lunch while it rained outside for 20 minutes.
Then the mosquitos had me for lunch. Had no repellent.
Soaked in the Hot Springs pool at the motel in Jackson. Nice. Another guest, John Aulik, gave me some repellent. He writes travel guides for the state of Idaho. Ate grilled salmon in the western decor restaurant.
Headed for Chief Joseph Pass, 1.3 miles away. This is the Continental Divide.
Then a beautiful downhill ride thru forests and alongside mountain streams.
Met a young couple from Virginia riding to Astoria, OR. also.
Visited the Big Hole Battlefield National Monument where the Nez Perce Indians were slaughtered by the U.S. Cavalry.
Hadb pizza for lunch while it rained outside for 20 minutes.
Then the mosquitos had me for lunch. Had no repellent.
Soaked in the Hot Springs pool at the motel in Jackson. Nice. Another guest, John Aulik, gave me some repellent. He writes travel guides for the state of Idaho. Ate grilled salmon in the western decor restaurant.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Hamilton to Lost Trail Pass June 10, 2013 Day 6 Riding Day 10 of Trip
Saw many neat ranch entrance gates, beautiful rivers and streams, and a sawmill operation.
Met Lucy Grouse at her mailbox. She is 82 years old and rides her bike every day for 45 minutes, weather permitting.
Michael Turley, a retired locomotive engineer waved me down and wished me luck. He has been cycling for many years,
Met Andreas Fossbender from Germany. He flew into Denver and is riding bike up to where I started. Then he is going to ride the Continental Divide Trail down to Mexico. Every year he does a bike tour somewhere in the world.
Met a young kid from Kansas riding from Virginia to Astoria, OR. This was the 70th day into his ride with 20 days to go.
Ate lunch at Sula then started the 12 mile climb up to Lost Trail Pass. Tough, tough climb. Walked and pushed the bike for over a mile it was so steep. 6% to 8% grade for much of the way. My body is not yet acclimated to 7,000 ft. elev.
Got to Lost Trail Pass (elev. 7014 ft) and decided not to try and make it to Wisdom. Slept on a picnic table under a canopy roof at the Lost Trail Pass rest area. Thunder storm about midnight. No bars on cell phone here.
Met Lucy Grouse at her mailbox. She is 82 years old and rides her bike every day for 45 minutes, weather permitting.
Michael Turley, a retired locomotive engineer waved me down and wished me luck. He has been cycling for many years,
Met Andreas Fossbender from Germany. He flew into Denver and is riding bike up to where I started. Then he is going to ride the Continental Divide Trail down to Mexico. Every year he does a bike tour somewhere in the world.
Met a young kid from Kansas riding from Virginia to Astoria, OR. This was the 70th day into his ride with 20 days to go.
Ate lunch at Sula then started the 12 mile climb up to Lost Trail Pass. Tough, tough climb. Walked and pushed the bike for over a mile it was so steep. 6% to 8% grade for much of the way. My body is not yet acclimated to 7,000 ft. elev.
Got to Lost Trail Pass (elev. 7014 ft) and decided not to try and make it to Wisdom. Slept on a picnic table under a canopy roof at the Lost Trail Pass rest area. Thunder storm about midnight. No bars on cell phone here.
In Hamilton, MT. Day 9 of trip July 9, 2013
Met Quentin and Heidi Apedaile at Hamilton ward church. In a few weeks they are riding from Utah up to Hamilton.
Met Mr. and Mrs. Williamson from Boise, ID. He is the announcer for the kBoise State Marching Band. We talked about flea flicker play Boise State ran to win the Fiesta Bowl.
Met Mr. and Mrs. Williamson from Boise, ID. He is the announcer for the kBoise State Marching Band. We talked about flea flicker play Boise State ran to win the Fiesta Bowl.
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Florence to Hamilton, MT Day 5 riding Day 8 of trip
Roger DiBrito was in charge of a Fun and Fitness Day at the park in Florence. It's sponsord by the "406 Family Aid Foundation". It would be over by noon so I volenteered to help him set up. They had a 1 mile run for the kids and anyone else who wanted to run, a 5K run, surrey rides, fish casting, pony rides for kids, and the fish and game dept. was there with a display of wolf, coyote, black bear, and grizzly bear pelts. Also, a mold or cast of wolf and grizzly bear paw prints. It's amazing how big the grizzly paw is.
Left Roger's house at 1:45 and got to Hamilton at 6:30 pm. Found the church meeting house, got something to eat and did laundry. Stayed at the Town House Inns.
Left Roger's house at 1:45 and got to Hamilton at 6:30 pm. Found the church meeting house, got something to eat and did laundry. Stayed at the Town House Inns.
Missoula to Florence Day 4 riding Day 7 of trip
Spent the morning at Adventure Cycling Association. Greg Siple took my picture and had me fill out a profile of myself and description of my ride and they add it to their archives. There are 40,000 members of this association worldwide. Greg is the founder of the association. In the 70's he and some friends rode from Alaska to the southern tip of Argentina. Then they started this association to promote cycling. The man and the lady in one of the pictures are tour guides and they were here training other tour guides from around the country.
Left Missoula after lunch. Met a family on a bike path alongside the highway going the opposite direction and they stopped me. His name is Roger DiBrito and he knows Dr. Pangrazi from ASU. Roger is a retired PE teacher has developed a curriculum teaching bicycle safety to elementary school children. He invited me to dinner and gave me lodging for the night. He does this all the time. He has a beautiful home in a beautiful location. We had a great barbecue dinner at his daughter's house. He recruited me to his Endomondo team to promote health and fitness. You record the miles you've ridden on your bike on this app and you compete with other teams to see who can log the most miles. When we logged in my miles since May 1st our team shot to the top.
Left Missoula after lunch. Met a family on a bike path alongside the highway going the opposite direction and they stopped me. His name is Roger DiBrito and he knows Dr. Pangrazi from ASU. Roger is a retired PE teacher has developed a curriculum teaching bicycle safety to elementary school children. He invited me to dinner and gave me lodging for the night. He does this all the time. He has a beautiful home in a beautiful location. We had a great barbecue dinner at his daughter's house. He recruited me to his Endomondo team to promote health and fitness. You record the miles you've ridden on your bike on this app and you compete with other teams to see who can log the most miles. When we logged in my miles since May 1st our team shot to the top.
June 6, 2113 Day 3 riding Day 6 of Trip
Left Polson at 8:15 am and arrived in Missoula at 8:15.
Got a Subway sandwich to eat on the way whenever I got hungry. Didn't take long for that to disappear.
One stretch was a 10 mile steady climb of 2% to 6% grade. 5% is when it really begins to get tough. After that was a 7 mile downhill run of about the same % grade.
Ate grilled salmon at Outback Steakhouse. Logan the waiter asked a lot of questions about the ride. Met a family as I was leaving the restaurant that had passed me in Ronan and talked with them for a few minutes.
Got a Subway sandwich to eat on the way whenever I got hungry. Didn't take long for that to disappear.
One stretch was a 10 mile steady climb of 2% to 6% grade. 5% is when it really begins to get tough. After that was a 7 mile downhill run of about the same % grade.
Ate grilled salmon at Outback Steakhouse. Logan the waiter asked a lot of questions about the ride. Met a family as I was leaving the restaurant that had passed me in Ronan and talked with them for a few minutes.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Left Whitefish at 10:15 am and arrived in Polson at 8:20 pm.
Saw a "bird of prey" nest on top of a telephone pole and one of them flew towards me and circled me like it was trying to scare me away. Got some video of it.
Had lunch at Tammy's Cafe in Big Fork.
Going down the east side of Flathead Lake were acres and acres of Cherry Orchards. They were well manicured and one person told me that area was famous for their "Flathead Lake Cherrys". I've never heard of them before but I'll bet they're good.
Lot of rolling hills on this ride. My total ascents were over 2400 feet. That means to me that it was hard. Had to stop and rest of some of the climbs.
Woke up at 1:00am with cramps in my left quadricep. I decided to stay in Polson another day and rest up. Also, I hadn't mastered this blog business so I spent a lot of time trying to figure it out. Communicated with my grandkids, Auburn and Sheldon, and I think I've got it now.
Saw a "bird of prey" nest on top of a telephone pole and one of them flew towards me and circled me like it was trying to scare me away. Got some video of it.
Had lunch at Tammy's Cafe in Big Fork.
Going down the east side of Flathead Lake were acres and acres of Cherry Orchards. They were well manicured and one person told me that area was famous for their "Flathead Lake Cherrys". I've never heard of them before but I'll bet they're good.
Lot of rolling hills on this ride. My total ascents were over 2400 feet. That means to me that it was hard. Had to stop and rest of some of the climbs.
Woke up at 1:00am with cramps in my left quadricep. I decided to stay in Polson another day and rest up. Also, I hadn't mastered this blog business so I spent a lot of time trying to figure it out. Communicated with my grandkids, Auburn and Sheldon, and I think I've got it now.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Day 1 riding Canadian border to Whitefish
Left the Canadian border and started pedaling at 11:11 a..m. MDT.
Rode 61 miles to Whitefish, MT. today. Rained the last 30+ miles.
Curtis and Sheldon got me a Subway sandwich in Eureka and delivered it to me. Saved me a stop.
Got to Whitefish at 8 pm. The sun doesn't set here until 9:30. Was trying to make another 15 miles to Kalispell, but glad I didn't.
The spa at the motel felt soooo good and so did the bed.
Rode 61 miles to Whitefish, MT. today. Rained the last 30+ miles.
Curtis and Sheldon got me a Subway sandwich in Eureka and delivered it to me. Saved me a stop.
Got to Whitefish at 8 pm. The sun doesn't set here until 9:30. Was trying to make another 15 miles to Kalispell, but glad I didn't.
The spa at the motel felt soooo good and so did the bed.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Flight: Mesa to Glacier Park Airport
Lifted off Falcon Field at 7:15 am.
Vacuum pump went out when we were over Escalante, Utah.
Landed in Ogden, Utah at 11;40 MDT.
Was able to get a new pump and have it installed.
Left Ogden at 5:30 pm.
Can see the road where I'll be riding between Whitefish and Kalispell.
Flathead Lake and the valley above it and below it are beautiful.
Landed at Glacier Park Airport at 8:15 pm.
Ate Trout at McGarry's Roadhouse Restaurant in Whitefish. Met and visited with Sandy and Steven Nagal, owners of the restaurant.
Stayed at the Grizzly Peaks Condominium.
Vacuum pump went out when we were over Escalante, Utah.
Landed in Ogden, Utah at 11;40 MDT.
Was able to get a new pump and have it installed.
Left Ogden at 5:30 pm.
Can see the road where I'll be riding between Whitefish and Kalispell.
Flathead Lake and the valley above it and below it are beautiful.
Landed at Glacier Park Airport at 8:15 pm.
Ate Trout at McGarry's Roadhouse Restaurant in Whitefish. Met and visited with Sandy and Steven Nagal, owners of the restaurant.
Stayed at the Grizzly Peaks Condominium.
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