On the Road to Yellowstone National Park

(This most likely will be the last post for the next four or five days as I’ll be in Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton NP without internet.)

As mentioned in yesterday’s post, the Driftwoods River Campground was a bit of a life saver last night. It’s far from any other town, but they had a great little restuarant where I had pizza and a specialty of theirs, huckleberry ice cream.  Huckleberry ice cream and shakes seem to be popular in both Idaho and Montana, and with good reason. [Read more…]

Dealing with the Wind

On Saturday the riding group I had been with was splitting up.  Anja from Belgium was biking north to Bozeman to visit a friend. Ede from Wales was ready to get back to her early starts and high miles by cycling 73 miles to West Yellowstone, a town in Montana next to the border of Wyoming  and Yellowstone National Park. I had considered taking a rest day but then decided to hit the road and see where I’d get to. [Read more…]

The Sheriff is in Town

Yesterday morning after breakfast I got back to the cycling camp in the Twin Bridges park.  The couple staying there from the night before, Brent and Jen, had already packed up and left.  That left me, Anja and Ede.  Ede, who had been averaging over 80 miles a day, suggested riding with us mere mortals for the trip to Ennis so by 10:30 the three of us were on the road. After the chill of the early morning there was no wind and it was very comfortable. [Read more…]

A Gathering in the Park

Yesterday’s ride was a short one of 30 miles.  I’m loosely keeping an eye on average miles per day ridden to keep to a schedule of ending the  trip in late October or the beginning of November.

This day was the start of week four on the road. I was happy to wake up to a temperature that was not as cold as what it was in Wisdom.  However, it was still cold.  Up to just a few days ago I wanted to wake up early on big climb days to get those out of the way before the midday heat arrived. Now it’s the opposite. Today there’s a big climb, but I’m waiting around for it to warm up. [Read more…]

First Day of Rain

Yesterday (Wednesday) was a busy day filled with running into a lot of people,  but it took a while to get started.  I was awake at 5:45 but by the time I finally got up, wrote a bit, got cleaned up, and repacked the bags (again)  it was nearly 8:30.

On leaving my room at the Nez Perce Motel, it was clear but the temperature was very, very cold. [Read more…]

Crossing the Continental Divide

After leaving the warm environment of the restaurant in Sula, I headed out for the 13 mile climb to the top of Chief Joseph Pass. This pass goes over the Continental Divide and is the first of several crossings of it in the next couple of weeks. [Read more…]

“It’s Going to Get Cold”

So far I’ve cycled 965 miles (1553 kilometers) since leaving the Pacific. Yesterday’s ride was a short, relatively easy 39 miles to the town of Sula.  I’m averaging 50.7 miles a day for the 19 days so far, and 57.7 miles a day for the 17 days on the bike (not  including the two rest days).

The smoke had cleared in Hamilton yesterday morning when I left. [Read more…]

Leaving the Big City Behind

I got some much needed rest in Missoula but left wishing I had seen some more of the city.  I stayed at the Econo Lodge and it felt like pure luxury.  When I walked in from being out on Saturday there was a young, heavyset guy behind the counter with short red hair standing straight up and a very long, bushy beard.  He looked like he was ready to run away to join the Amish. When he saw me come in he exclaimed “He’s got the look!” I wasn’t sure what kind of greeting that was. [Read more…]