Day 16, June 15th - Rest Day Regroup

Today became a full rest day.  Took my bike in to have the drivetrain cleaned again.  This time it's sparkling!   Thank you Missoula Bicycle Works!  They were also gracious enough to get me in, even though they had other bikes in for service.

After picking up my bike, I went by a barbershop.  I need a hair removal treatment.  It has been hot and especially on climbs, I had to remove my helmet for ventilation.   So 20 minutes later....

No laughing...   BZZZ

Hit the grocery store and doing some much needed laundry as well.

Day 15, Into Montana

Day 15 was a measly 61 miles over Lolo Pass and down into Missoula Montana.  Started my day at breakfast with a gentleman named Greg, who farms 17,000 acres in North Dakota.  He was motorcycle touring the California coast and was on his way back home. 

Left around 9am so that I could try and avoid some heat.  There was at least some shade on the way up Lolo Pass.  This section has lots of history of the Lewis and Clark expedition and Nez Pierce. 

I entered Montana at the top of Lolo Pass and had an easy downhill with tailwind into Lolo, MT.   Heading north into Missoula however was into a stiff headwind.  Stopped in at the Adventure Cycling Association headquarters.  Lots of 70s era bikes with toe clips with leather straps.  Oh day gone by.

Went to another warmshowers host who hosts tons of people.  Huge house and nice place to regroup.

Days 13 & 14, Heat wave in Idaho

Day 13,  Riggins to Kooskia. 77 miles
Travelled down river from Riggins along the Salmon River.  Went into Whitebird, which is where the Nez Pierce war began.  My ride took me through the battlefield and over white bird pass.  Quite amazing how fast mountains transition to flatland.  I stopped in Grangville to resupply and then headed to Stites and Kooskia, which are in the Nez Pierce Reservation.  Spent the evening with a warmshower host gracious enough to take me in with little notice.  Heat wave in the west...  probably hit 90 or better.  Little shade today.

Day 14, Kooskia to Lochsa Lodge.  99 miles
Late start as I rode from my hosts place into town and got breakfast.   Didn't leave until a little after 9am.  The ride along Rt12 and the Lochsa River is spectacular, which is part of the Nez Pierce and also Lewis and Clark trail.  Not a ton of traffic today along this popular rafting and fishing area.  Ended my day at the Lochsa Lodge.  An oasis along this long stretch with no services for 90 miles....

Days 11 &12, Into Idaho!

Day 11, Richland to Cambridge, 71.5 miles
Right off the bat a 1700' climb out of Richland...  but the reward was a 20 mile cruise to Oxbow and the snake river.  Idaho Power has dams along this section known affectionately as Hells Canyon.  The downside is a 2100' climb up out of the canyon, in the heat of the day.  Had heard good things about Mundo hot springs, but they we closed.  Along with a lot of other things along the way.

Day 12, Cambridge to Riggins. 88 miles
Left early as the West is in a heatwave.  Rt 95 out of Cambridge to council, but lack of any shoulder, plus uphill, plus lots of trucks & RVs detoured me to the gravel Weiser River Trail.  Very nice, bit slow and a little rough.  No traffic, one deer, first flat.  At New Meadow I made the decision to head to Riggins.  33 miles of more headwinds, but downhill.  Pedal downhill into a headwind for all 14mph.  Sigh. 

Days 8 to 10, Yup, still in Oregon

Day 8. Mitchell to John Day
65 miles of farmland and more farmlands.   Lots of cows.  Rode with Roger and Carlos today. 

Day 9.  John Day to Baker City
Today was a sizable day.  80 miles with 4000 feet of climbing over 3 passes.  As luck would have it for me, I was hit with hail, snow and rain on the first pass.   Luckily the Austin house cafe was warm and had a fireplace going.   Hit with spitting rain on pass #2, but it did not last.   3rd times a charm.  Sunny.  Nice roll downhill from there to Baker City.   Had a good stay with warmshowers host Judy. 

Day 10, Baker City to Richland, OR
A relatively short dat, only 44 miles.  And even though it was mostly downhill, had to battle a SE headwind.  Pedal downhill at 13mph...  Stopped to visit the Oregon trail interpretive center.  Amazing what our pioneers endured.   Nice campsite in Richland though.