CycleSlogger: September 2013

Note: This is the last post of the 'full updates' series which means it is the last detailed post of the trip... if that makes sense. I rode into Missoula on July 9. It has taken me over two months to finally post all the daily ride details. It was only five days to write about... but normal life can get in the way sometimes. To all the blog fans (there must be at least 2 or 3 - thanks family!), thanks for being so patient while I doled out the updates ever so slowly!

Day five, the last day of the Vines to Bitterroots Tour. The day's ride entails a brief final climb up Lolo Pass and then its all down hill to Missoula!

I am a bit worried about the "brief" uphill section - it gains 1700 feet in 12 miles. But this final day- when I wake, I am on cloud nine! It's been great trip and I am proud of the accomplishment. I get out of bed, not too early and head to the lodge for breakfast. The lodge opens at 7 a.m. and there is a small line outside to get in. We plod in, a bit of an odd, still groggy bunch. There is the family or two, a few elderly folks- nature lovers who I'm sure have been coming to the lodge for years and a medium sized group of young forest workers - all decked out in US Forest Service green. I grab a seat at a four top - it's the only one left. My coffee shows up and I'm scanning my day's route on my now tattered Adventure Cycling Map and a guy asks if her can sit at the table. I said you bet. He introduces himeself- Steve from Memphis and in a southern drawl - says man it's cold out there this morning. Well, we ended up having a nice conversation over bacon and eggs. He was riding cross country on his Harley. I am riding across state on my bicycle. He had just come over the top of Lolo this morning. My other passion (aside from bicycle touring) is motorcycle riding. If its two wheels, I like it! So we discussed motorcycles and a little bit on bicycling.

At the end of breakfast, I asked if he would oblige me in taking his picture - I told him I do some bicycle tour blogging and I always try to take a pic of the folks I run into. He was very nice and said sure, hand combed his hair and posed for the photo.

To me... this is the best part of touring by bike. The folks you meet.

Well, time to head out. By the afternoon, I'll be seeing Jen in Missoula! Giddy Up!

The climb up the last part of Lolo was no problem. In the cabin this morning, I pitched all unessential items. I got rid of extra food, a half spent backpacking stove fuel can, a few choice, stinky t-shirts and several other now useless items. I also only filled two water bottles instead of also filling my Platypus water bladder. The overall intent was to lighten the load on the rear of the bike - where the spoke blew. It also helped a bunch on the final climb. The climb was actually pleasant. That was a first for the trip!

Heading up the pass.

Looking back down the grade

Using the Iphone panoramic feature

I stopped on the way up and checked out the history information.

While I'm reading the info - I hear these two old, slightly rotund, old coots on their Harley's ranting about some debri and garbage that is strewn across the pullout in front of the history board.

"If I was that kinds Father, I would kick his ass into next Sunday" one guy said.

"Yah, there kids these days. No respect", the other said. "Makes me sick!"

Well- I looked around and sure enough a bunch of crap was left along the side of the road for about 100 feet. Maybe somebody driving by in a car lost a suit case off the top and just kept on driving?

The convo between the two guys on the Harley was hilarious. They put their helmets on and off they road. I decided to get back on the pedals - and road though the debri pile. Oooh! Look at that... a pair of kids angel wings! Saaaaayyy, that will make a cool addition to the Burro! I pick them up. They still fly and I attached them to the bike. Oh coool. Jen is going to love this!

I'm almost, almost, almost to the top! Time for some pics. And a video.

Top of Lolo Pass from Scott McKibbin on Vimeo.

Almost to the top!

Finally! The top! The Lolo Pass Vistor's Center.

I spend about a half hour at the top and start heading down into Montana.

But wait! There is construction starting just past the top. Cue the screeching bicycle touring tires! Turns out they are chip-sealing the top for about 3-4 miles. Hmmm... how the hell is this going to work? I have to wait about 15 minutes with the other drivers before the pilot car arrives. I follow the car in front of me and off we go. After not too long all the cars have gone by me - blasting gravel at me like a Gatling gun. I just keep pedaling and the surface is a bit squirrely. After a couple miles, I come up on some orange vested workers and they look at me like I'm from outer space. I whiz by at 30 MPH. Around the bend is the end of the construction. A long line of cars and the pilot car are waiting for yours truly - me, the burro, Winchester the stuffed moose and my purple angel wings flapping along behind me. Once I hit clear pavement, I have about 40 miles - all downhill to Missoula!

Lolo Peak

I roll into Missoula about 3 PM. Notice the stuffed moose and purple wings? Jen is going to love these!

My sweetheart and Luna the wonder pup are waiting for me outside the Adventure Cycling Headquarters. Jen grabs the obligatory arrival video.

Rolling into Missoula - Final Day! from Scott McKibbin on Vimeo.

I kiss and hug Jen and am so stoked to be done. Luna is wagging her tail - so happy to see her too.

We tour the Adventure Cycling Headquarters.

see prior blog post:
http://cycleslogger.blogspot.com/2013/07/adventure-cycling-association-wall-of.html

All in all, it was a great tour!

Here are the final totals!

Day 1: Dayton, WA to Lewiston, ID

91 miles

4,259 ft of climbing

Ave temp 85F

Day 2: to Kamiah, ID

78 miles

5,348 ft of climbing

Ave temp 82F

Day 3: to Wilderness Gateway Campgroud

57 miles