Friday, August 14, 2015

closure

Home for about one week.  Rode Mt. spokane with Jamie yesterday, and felt really good.  Pretty gratifying!
Here is the final photo on the Canada border..

OK. that's all.  If you really want more, please feel free to read James's blog 


or Garry's blog


  Thanks for reading.  Hope you enjoyed the trip!


Thursday, August 6, 2015

Here we are

Here we are in Eureka.  Tomorrow Paula and Barb will do our "photo shoot" at the border, and the trip is ended. Bittersweet. ...I'm ready to finish, but it will take some time to adjust.

In the late 6190's Eureka was the "Christmas tree capitol of the world, shipping 1,800,000 Christmas trees. 

Tonight,  veggie chicken stir fry. ....veggies have been a little scarce on this voyage.

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Swan lake

On our way to Whitefish  to stay with friends for a night.....then on to our final 2 days of riding!

Monday, August 3, 2015

What was

I was surprised how common abandoned log buildings have been along the entire route, but nowhere more than Montana.  It makes me think how recent while mans settling here is, as I have to think many of these structures date to early mining or homestead days.  Sometimes they are in what seems very unlikely places.....

Really good post by Jamie today....

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=tS&page_id=430377&v=2r

Sunday, August 2, 2015

Artemisia tridentata

I had no idea how common and widespread it is.   It grows along the entire route. ...from Mexico to Canada, and Wikipedia says Alaska.   Who knew?

Closing in

Just outside Lincoln on the way to Ovando. Great"wild camping" last night.  Hard climb today followed by a long descent!   Looks like 2 more days will put us in Whitefish

Friday, July 31, 2015

Signs

Cyclists are probably a little more aware of signs than most folks. This particular one portends a big climb, this one going out of Butte.   We made it to Helena via highway. ....tomorrow back to climbing on dirt!  Stay tuned.   ;)  photo. #2 is our room at motel 6

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Cow barn bike repair?

Middle of nowhere...Big Sheep Creek Montana.  

My gears jammed up with mud, making my deralliur malfunction.   My mechanic skills are somewhat basic....    Thank you Jamie for jumping right in and doctoring my steed!  Good as new!

Interesting

It has been and interesting couple days!  Rain, snow, mud, sleeping on old cow dung and being glad for it??  Who knew.....not me.  (At least it was warm and dry.)

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Rest day thoughts

Today we are taking a rest day in Lima Montana.   Monday we start the final leg of this fascinating voyage.  Montana holds lots of climbing, although no more high altitude riding. .....If I read the map correctly, we won't go over 8000. Ft again.  This is also viewed by many veterans as the most scenic portion of the route.

A couple thoughts on gear....
I ride a Brooks saddle. Made in jolly old England, and haven't changed for many years.  Not for everyone, but works for me.   I have absolutely no problem with chafing or "saddle sores".  Could happen, but so far so good!

Platform pedals.   This was a tougher choice.  I "clip in" on my road bike, but determined to try platforms on the Mt bike, and have been happy with the choice. This allows me to have one pair of shoes....I chose Solomon light trail runners, which have worked well.

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Nowhere Idaho

Rain.  The cycling curse.  So, we opted for a room....3 beds, fireplace, bathtub. ....life is good.

Tomorrow we camp, then my companions wives meet them in lima.  That's long I, like lima beans!

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

No way.....

The water was fine, but my feet were way, way to tender for the rocks.....   my sister Miriam, who has, or at least used to have, very tough feet, would mock me I'm sure.

Big mountains

Ok....pretty limited cell, so it's gunna be short.   Had an amazing view of the mountains for the morning ride.   Now camping at Jackson lake.  Other two are chilling out. ...I may go for a swim!  Stay tuned.....

Saturday, July 18, 2015

Best and Worst

Sometimes, the best and worst of a situation are the same thing simply viewed from a different vantage point.  Weather is one of those things. A deluge of rain and hail is not that fun to get caught in at the moment, especially if it is cold. However, looking back, it makes a great story!

The Motel hot tub is another one of those things. Rest days are actually my least favorite days.   However, we had a scheduled rest day today while it poured rain outside and I spent way too long in the Motel hot tub. It was awesome, and my whole body now feels like jello. It will be interesting to see how I ride tomorrow?

Friday, July 17, 2015

Grrrrrr

I thought this rock had a"face" that kinda looked like me before the first cup of coffee. .(you hafta zoom in a little bit)

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Stuff of legend!

This is a photo of the legendary"solar well" in the Great Divide basin.  It is a high desert area that drains neither east nor west.....all rainfall either evaporates or drains into the ground.   It has been unusually wet this year.

Monday, July 13, 2015

Chasing Jamie

Sometimes, when we have a stretch of open road, like we did today, a fella just has to "let it run" so to speak.  This is when I get to play a little game I call "chasing Jamie"....

To be clear, Jamie is definitely the fastest of the three of us.  He has a little racing background, and for a "smallish" 140 lb guy,  has an enormous motor.  Sometimes I can get "on his wheel" for a bit.....today for maybe 5-6 miles, then we come to a hill and he slowly creeps away.  Now I'm "chasing Jamie".....just trying to keep him in sight.  I hammer up a hill, thinking to myself. ....I'm not losing ground, but then alas, the gap widens!  This is great training for me, and I love it.  Just wait!  I'll show him tomorrow! !

To be sure, I feel stronger day by day, and may be in the best cycling form ever.....for me.  That said, Amigo number 3, Garry, has shown the biggest gains since we started.  He is a few years older than Jamie or me, and had a horrible start with near heat stroke and a big time bonk.  Since then his gains in speed and endurance have been nothing short of phenomenal.

All in all, a great ride. We spend tonight at the ladder ranch, where we just put away a phenomenal farm dinner.   Onward to Wyoming tomorrow. ...   very exciting.

Saturday, July 11, 2015

Gore pass.

The following is taken verbatim from the plaque in the photo.  It is now some 20-30 yards off the road with no sign or indicator at all.  Pure chance that I noticed it.

Gore pass.  9524 ft

Here in 1855 crossed sir George Gore, an Irish Barnett bent on slaughter of game and guided by Jim Bridger.   For three years, he scoured Colorado,  Montana and Wyoming, accompanied usually by 40 men, many carts, wagons,  hounds and unexamined camp luxuries.   More than 2,000 Buffalo, 1600 elk and deer, 100 bears were massacred for sport.  A trail by 1866, a wagon road by 1874, this modern highway opened 1956.

Erected by the citizens of Routt and Grand counties and the state historical society of Colorado through the Mrs. J. N. Hall foundation.

Thursday, July 9, 2015

???

Jamie drew the short straw tonight!

Movin' on up

Big climb up Hosier Pass.  11,539 feet.  There was a group of motorcycle touring folk.
We had Elevensies at Alma, the highest incorporated town in the US.
Landed at super 8 in Silverthorne Christmas or the night.

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Ka-Boom!

We really got nailed today.   After a 3000 ft climb, we hit gnarly mud.  Some describe it as"peanut butter", but I think of another description.   Cow s@*&#....
A bit later we were caught in a for real thunderstorm.   Crack!  A couple hundred yards down hill from me...I seriously considered jumping into the ditch....
Seriously,  it is very hard to describe today's conditions.   We rode in mud that I would have thought impossible.  

Bottom line, however, it would seem just wrong to do this ride without having some weather and hardship.   All in all, a great day.  We have warm dry lodging and are well fed, ready to face tomorrow!

Monday, July 6, 2015

Chillin' by the river

Today we took a rest day in Del Norte.   As is my want, I wandered around the town, looking for interesting things.  There is an old restored hotel (think Davenport's baby sister).  The gem, however, was finding this trail along the Rio Grande!   I spent a good chunk of the afternoon there, and may go back if the predicted rain shower comes and goes.

As the photo shows....no other people at all. 

Sunday, July 5, 2015

Good Bloggin'

This is why Jamie's and Garry's blogs are so good . . .   they put a lot of time and effort into writing them. 
Thanks, guys!
BTW, we made it to Del Norte , CO.  Highest elevation is now behind us.   (Does that mean it is downhill from here? )

Friday, July 3, 2015

Campsites

Campsite selection is a real"give and take" proposition.  How far to go, is this one good enough, or should we keep looking? Some good, some just ok, yet very welcome.   Tonight, awesome!  Since it is coming on the fourth of July weekend, and due to the fact that we are seeing campers in every available space, we can't believe our good fortune.

Today is the second, and it looks like we will be in Pateros for the fourth.   Could be fun... I have fond memories of small town 4th celebrations

Tha riding is hard.  Lots of climbing now, although we got to enjoy a screaming descent today.....always a treat.

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Mashing Granny

No, I am NOT going to attack your grandmother. Granny, in bicycle parlance refers to the lowest gear used for climbing in extremely difficult situations. Mashing, refers to pedaling extremely hard when you cannot keep up Rapid Spin. Today's photo shows Jamie coming down a little piece of the road we were on and much of it was very difficult climbing, and I found myself mashing granny for a big chunk of the day. It was a gorgeous day, cool - wow we were climbing.  We were above 10,000 feet 3 times today.

Sunday, June 28, 2015

One Eye-See

If you don't know, an eye-see is a non-specific measure of distance, somewhat akin to a "stones throw". I learned this from Lou Guthrie,  a friend from Louisiana.  I can hear his soft drawl saying "Oh, It's about one eye-see from the edge of town." 
The point is,  New Mexico has really grand vistas! An eye-see can be big, and deceiving. Yesterday while we were paused by the roadside, Jamie asked How far do you think it is to the top of the next hill?
We all made our guess. ... 3.5 miles for yours truly, 5.5 for Garry, and Jamie said 6. When we got there,  it was a little over 6!
By the way, we rode a well earned 120 plus mile day.  Got caught in a  cloud burst. Arrived in Cuba New Mexico with smiles.   :)

Friday, June 26, 2015

Links to Garry and Jamie's Blogs

Here are the links to Garry and Jamie's blogs - some awesome stuff!








Check out Garry and Jamie's Blogs - some awesome posts from my boon companions!



Thursday, June 25, 2015

Tears . . .

My tears stream uncontrollably as I begin the short ride from our campsite into Grants.  Navajo,  Acoma, Apache.....did you realize it is only about 130 years age that Geranimo finally surrendered with the remainder of his little band that had escaped extermination?  A very small dot it the timeline of humanity. He became bitter after his wife and three children were butchered by the Mexicans, and sought revenge on them and later on the US army as well.
I climb the bank above our campsite on a little trail undoubtedly used by the Acoma, whose reservation we border.  I visualize what it may have been like before the white man.   I stand for an hour, seeking stillness in my soul. I beg forgiveness from the spirits of the departed.  I feel a sense of peace, no condemnation,  but a pressing sadness that is nearly overwhelming. I picture the native man standing on a street corner in Spokane,  looking lost and forlorn. I think of the youth......how could you outrun the feeling of loss and bitterness?
As we were entering our motel in Grants, a native man with two children was leaving.  His t-shirt said "Be Brave".  I'm quite sure I would not be, if I were in his shoes.
Manifest destiny?  I am willing to say maybe an inevitable outcome, the nature of man being what it is.  I do, however,  reject the idea of a god who says "come into this land, exterminate the inhabitants with guns and disease, and take it all for yourselves."
Yes, some days I despair of being human . . . I hope we change . .  .  that good can prevail, and for what it is worth, I believe that all creation seeks ultimate balance.
Please, take no offense from my rambling.  Just my thoughts on this day.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Hard Life for a Tree

I went for a stroll after dinner. We are camped on BLM land near the Acoma Indian Reservation. This tree caught my attention.  it has surely had a hard life. On today's ride we went by an enormous lava flow that took place only three thousand years ago. The small trees there look like bonsai. Grants tomorrow. We are taking a rest day on the following day. The trip is going great,  riding is fun, and camaraderie is good.

Monday, June 22, 2015

Day 5 Quick Update.

We are at a small church in New Mexico riding out the afternoon heat.  Cell service is spotty.   I will be to Grants, NM hopefully in 3 days, and will have Wi-Fi.  All is well.  Riding is hard.  Lots of rough roads, heat and climbing.  The interesting factoid for the day is rock anthills.   I had never seen them before and was blown away.   I'll attach a photo in Grants!  We are all doing well and spirits are good. 

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Day One

Interesting first day.   We left Columbus   a little before 4.  I had the honor of the first flat.  My supposed to be almost flat proof tire with a tube filled with latex sealant decided to show us that no system is foolproof.  The ride to Silver City took longer than expected, but we're here!  :)

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Tomorrow We Ride

After two days of lively discussion while we drive south, this morning the car has been pretty quiet.  A few short hours and we bid Paula, Sheila and Pearl goodbye. Bittersweet!

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Ready to Roll!

Sunday night, all packed and ready for an early morning departure.   Destination Ogden Utah for our first night out.

Saturday, June 13, 2015

Just Getting Started . . .

I have told a few folks that I will blog a little as I ride the GDMBR, so here it is.  Don't be shocked if you check back and things look different....I'm still playing with Blogger.  I leave with two other nutty old guys, Jamie Sutherlin and Garry Kehr, on Monday.  So, follow if you are interested, and ignore if you are not!