This post is for those who followed my blog last summer.
I am heading to Texas in April. If you want to follow along with me go to www.newtexasoldtexas.blogspot.com and subscribe. This trip will include UConn Women's basketball team's tripp to the final four, miles and miles of empty roads passing through ranches and fields of wildflowers, and Austin, Texas home of the "bat bridge".
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Back to the daily grind
I ended my trip a little shy of Helena, MT. 300 miles shy.
Cycling 650 miles from Portland OR to Missoula, MT is still an accomplishment.
I enjoyed my ride, the people I met along the way, the scenery, and the overall experience.
My bike is being shipped UPS back to Connecticut. I am looking forward to getting it back to do some local riding.
I'll go back to being an office nerd on Sunday.
There will be more adventures to come.
Thanks for following me on this one.
Cycling 650 miles from Portland OR to Missoula, MT is still an accomplishment.
I enjoyed my ride, the people I met along the way, the scenery, and the overall experience.
My bike is being shipped UPS back to Connecticut. I am looking forward to getting it back to do some local riding.
I'll go back to being an office nerd on Sunday.
There will be more adventures to come.
Thanks for following me on this one.
Monday, September 7, 2009
September 7, 2009
I tramped all over Missoula today. I started with a bike ride to Food for Thought ~ a local restaurant across the street from the University of Montana. I have given up on pancakes/flapjacks on the west coast. They just don't know how to make them. Tough and chewy ~ you need a steak knife to cut through them.
Seems like the University is a good place for students interested in earth sciences.
I went to the library to discover my glasses were broken. At the book store I bought the only pair of 3.00 reading glasses. Bifocal style with a stunning leopard print. Back to the library to update the blog and check emails. I left the library and rode my bike back to the motel and waited out the passing shower.
After the rain shower passed I took a 20 minute walk to find Open Road Bicycles - the store I would use to ship my bike back home. On the walk back I stumbled upon Bernice's bakery and had an ice tea. I will return there for breakfast tomorrow. I stayed at Bernice's for a while and read my book. I also read the local newspaper. I noticed an ad for a "farm league" baseball game for today. No location or time was given.
I decided to take one of the many bike/pedestrian trails back to the University and get details on a computer about the game. The ballpark is off of Orange street. Starts at 7:00. Box tickets on the third base line are $9.00.
Later I walked down Main Street to grab a pizza at a place recommended to me by the park ranger at the Lolo visitor center. Very good. The Osprey (the equivalent of the Rock Cats) are a farm league for the Arizona Diamond Backs. I stayed till the seventh leaving with the score of 8 to 6. I left before the game as I was tired and getting cold. Temperatures were to dip down to 45 and the chill was setting in.
Seems like the University is a good place for students interested in earth sciences.
I went to the library to discover my glasses were broken. At the book store I bought the only pair of 3.00 reading glasses. Bifocal style with a stunning leopard print. Back to the library to update the blog and check emails. I left the library and rode my bike back to the motel and waited out the passing shower.
After the rain shower passed I took a 20 minute walk to find Open Road Bicycles - the store I would use to ship my bike back home. On the walk back I stumbled upon Bernice's bakery and had an ice tea. I will return there for breakfast tomorrow. I stayed at Bernice's for a while and read my book. I also read the local newspaper. I noticed an ad for a "farm league" baseball game for today. No location or time was given.
I decided to take one of the many bike/pedestrian trails back to the University and get details on a computer about the game. The ballpark is off of Orange street. Starts at 7:00. Box tickets on the third base line are $9.00.
Later I walked down Main Street to grab a pizza at a place recommended to me by the park ranger at the Lolo visitor center. Very good. The Osprey (the equivalent of the Rock Cats) are a farm league for the Arizona Diamond Backs. I stayed till the seventh leaving with the score of 8 to 6. I left before the game as I was tired and getting cold. Temperatures were to dip down to 45 and the chill was setting in.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
September 6, 2009
I got myself going early this morning ~ 4:30 am and was on the road by 5:50. I discarded anything that was not needed to lighten the load up the mountain. Kinda of felt like I was trying to save a sinking ship. The four bagels that wouldn't get eaten, stove fuel that wouldn't be burned, the paper book novel I finished ~ all trashed.
My hope was the mountain grade was over exaggerated like the rest of the grades seemed to have been on the map. Morning is my best time for a challenge, so off I went.
The first 7 miles there was a noticeable incline. I used the middle gear and averaged about 8 miles per hour. It's the Sunday before Labor day and there is virtually no traffic.
When I came to the sign requiring chains on trucks when the lights are flashing and another sign indicating a passing lane, I knew the steepest part was in front of me.
The climb was steep and steady for six miles. It took me about 1.5 hours to get to the top ~ Lolo pass. (Cole they named a mountain pass after your auntie!) I pedaled, walked some, stopped some. It was cloudy with fog sinking in the valley/gulch far below. The adjoining mountains were either thick with vivid green pine, or barren from logging.
The top of the mountain is Lolo Pass with an elevation of 5,225 feet. In 13 miles I climbed 1,900 feet. There is a real nice visitor station on top run by the National Forest Service. Bathrooms, coffee, internet, helpful staff, loads of information. I hung out here for a good hour.
After leaving the center's parking lot I immediately cross the state line leaving Idaho and entering Montana. I also cross a time zone. (trivia ~ Idaho is a state that has two different time zones.)
From here it is 23 miles down hill. Yee haa!!
There is a noticeable difference in the land scape. The rock formations are softer, like the wind has worn them away. There are no sharp edges. Every thing is rounded and curved.
There is space. There is the river, road and flat land between the mountains. Previously, I was riding next to the river or next to a rock ledge. It is also colder. Not sure if that is because of the weather front that pushed through or that is just how it is.
I passed through Lolo Springs. There are actually hot springs in the area. Then I come through an area with large log cabin homes with acreage. Looks like people who own these places want to appear to be ranchers but is all for show.
I can tell Missoula is coming up as I hit the trailer home parks. Missoula is considered a college town and is home to the University of Montana. I will be staying in Missoula for two days.
It is quieter than normal downtown as it is after 5 on a Sunday. I am able to buy wine at a grocery store on a Sunday. The selection is very good. They do have package stores here but with a different twist. The package stores are also casinos and there is one on every corner.
I am struck by the number of homeless people, most of them young - 16-25 years old. By their faces I would guess the root of the problem is dug related. I see a bill board that says drug abuse cost $388 million tax dollars in the state of Montana. I think it is a low number from what little I have seen or the state is not providing adequate services.
I have travelled a total distance of 627 miles.
My hope was the mountain grade was over exaggerated like the rest of the grades seemed to have been on the map. Morning is my best time for a challenge, so off I went.
The first 7 miles there was a noticeable incline. I used the middle gear and averaged about 8 miles per hour. It's the Sunday before Labor day and there is virtually no traffic.
When I came to the sign requiring chains on trucks when the lights are flashing and another sign indicating a passing lane, I knew the steepest part was in front of me.
The climb was steep and steady for six miles. It took me about 1.5 hours to get to the top ~ Lolo pass. (Cole they named a mountain pass after your auntie!) I pedaled, walked some, stopped some. It was cloudy with fog sinking in the valley/gulch far below. The adjoining mountains were either thick with vivid green pine, or barren from logging.
The top of the mountain is Lolo Pass with an elevation of 5,225 feet. In 13 miles I climbed 1,900 feet. There is a real nice visitor station on top run by the National Forest Service. Bathrooms, coffee, internet, helpful staff, loads of information. I hung out here for a good hour.
After leaving the center's parking lot I immediately cross the state line leaving Idaho and entering Montana. I also cross a time zone. (trivia ~ Idaho is a state that has two different time zones.)
From here it is 23 miles down hill. Yee haa!!
There is a noticeable difference in the land scape. The rock formations are softer, like the wind has worn them away. There are no sharp edges. Every thing is rounded and curved.
There is space. There is the river, road and flat land between the mountains. Previously, I was riding next to the river or next to a rock ledge. It is also colder. Not sure if that is because of the weather front that pushed through or that is just how it is.
I passed through Lolo Springs. There are actually hot springs in the area. Then I come through an area with large log cabin homes with acreage. Looks like people who own these places want to appear to be ranchers but is all for show.
I can tell Missoula is coming up as I hit the trailer home parks. Missoula is considered a college town and is home to the University of Montana. I will be staying in Missoula for two days.
It is quieter than normal downtown as it is after 5 on a Sunday. I am able to buy wine at a grocery store on a Sunday. The selection is very good. They do have package stores here but with a different twist. The package stores are also casinos and there is one on every corner.
I am struck by the number of homeless people, most of them young - 16-25 years old. By their faces I would guess the root of the problem is dug related. I see a bill board that says drug abuse cost $388 million tax dollars in the state of Montana. I think it is a low number from what little I have seen or the state is not providing adequate services.
I have travelled a total distance of 627 miles.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
September 5, 2009
Today I went from Lowell to Powell a total of 42 miles with a managable uphill grade. Highway 12's scenery was much the same as yesterday. With little traffic you could hear the river rushing by. There were a few people out in the river casting their fly rods out in hopes of catching a trout.
I am camping at the National Forest Powell campsite. There was a 30 minute terrential down pour. Luckily my tent was set up and gear inside before it started. Even better was the fact I took a walk up to the Losha lodge for a glass of wine and huckleberry cobbler and watch the storm pass from inside.
When I returned to the tent everything was dry.
I am camping at the National Forest Powell campsite. There was a 30 minute terrential down pour. Luckily my tent was set up and gear inside before it started. Even better was the fact I took a walk up to the Losha lodge for a glass of wine and huckleberry cobbler and watch the storm pass from inside.
When I returned to the tent everything was dry.
September 4, 2009
Today will take me from Kooskia to Lowell. I'm pretty sure I remember some decent climbs on the map. None came. It was a steady grade up. I would shift in and out of the big gear.
There was very little traffic. The river was on my right as I continued on twisting U.S. Highway 12. Surroundings in this wilderness corridor are spectacular: a medley of bright-green grasses and ferns, subdued forests of mixed conifers, sunlight dancing off the bubbling river, boulders makein "v's" in the current. One fascinating man-mad feature was the roadside gondolas that takes people across the river on stout cables to their private residence. (The picture that is sideways).
There was a lot of road work being done whichwas fine with me. It kept traffic slower and more spaced. There were two or three times I needed to follow a "pace" car throught the construction sites.
I camped in a National Park camp site. No showers. So i opted for a sponge bath in the river..
september 3, 2009
I am temporarily out of the communication black hole of Idaho so I will update you on the days I have been absent.
Thursday was a flat ride with tailwinds. Love those tailwinds. The temperature was mid 80's and partly cloudy. The ride followed the snake river. Not much shoulder room but the traffic was light.
The scenery was nice. Sorta like upper state Vermont or New Hampshire. No pictures today. I packed the camera rain was in the forecast.
Three mishaps today that had me calling car rentals to end the trip. No luck. So looks like I'm going to have to grin and bear it.
1. Threw out my map at Subway by mistake.
2. Front flat tire. (I think I qualify for the Tour d'France pit crew.)
3. Front bag screw came out.
I found my warmshower house in Kooskia. Laurie is the host. The house belonged to her grandmother. When I spoke to Laurie she was in Illinois for cancer consultation/treatments. With all she must be dealing with, she didn't skip a beat to get me directions. (Laurie ~ I pulled the trash can to the front of the house in hope someone would take it.) Laurie was on my mind throughout the day.
The house was a classic. Very 50's. Reminds me of my Grandma Wards house only allot cleaner. Even has a rotary phone.
Thursday was a flat ride with tailwinds. Love those tailwinds. The temperature was mid 80's and partly cloudy. The ride followed the snake river. Not much shoulder room but the traffic was light.
The scenery was nice. Sorta like upper state Vermont or New Hampshire. No pictures today. I packed the camera rain was in the forecast.
Three mishaps today that had me calling car rentals to end the trip. No luck. So looks like I'm going to have to grin and bear it.
1. Threw out my map at Subway by mistake.
2. Front flat tire. (I think I qualify for the Tour d'France pit crew.)
3. Front bag screw came out.
I found my warmshower house in Kooskia. Laurie is the host. The house belonged to her grandmother. When I spoke to Laurie she was in Illinois for cancer consultation/treatments. With all she must be dealing with, she didn't skip a beat to get me directions. (Laurie ~ I pulled the trash can to the front of the house in hope someone would take it.) Laurie was on my mind throughout the day.
The house was a classic. Very 50's. Reminds me of my Grandma Wards house only allot cleaner. Even has a rotary phone.
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