Eads, CO to Scott City, KS

Distance - 102.77 miles

Time - 6:18:00

Elevation Gain - 555 ft. 

Max Speed - 25.4 mph

Average Speed - 16.3 mph

Trip Total - 2186 miles

Another generally flat day.

 

The evil headwind kicked up this morning making the first 35 miles a real chore. As it turns out, that part of the day was about the only elevation gain we had all day.  Saw two badgers this morning in the ditch. They hissed at us as we went by then scurried into their hole.

 

When we reach Kansas the wind subsided and we were able to pick up the pace without increasing our effort. That lasted most of the rest of the day.

 

 

Lots of wheat fields and wheat harvest this afternoon.

Limon, CO to Eads, CO

Distance - 84.18 miles

Time - 5:23:45

Elevation Gain - 1051 ft

Max Speed - 26.3 mph

Average Speed - 15.5 mph

Trip Total - 2084

What should have been an easy day, was anything but... you guessed it, headwind.  Generally downhill and flat. 

 

 

It was nice, though, to have Danny with me. We took turns breaking wind. I hope you read that with the meaning I intended!

 

Great road surface to ride on. Concrete with wide shoulders. Many tractor-trailers, dead snakes, and lots of grasshoppers this afternoon. Kind of like parting the Red Sea as we rode through the grasshoppers.

 

Apparently, Eads marks the halfway point of my trip.

 

Enjoyed a cold strawberry smoothie, Danny and iced coffee of some kind, and Mary & Elroy a chocolate frappe (now called Mary's drink) at a coffee hut in the Eads.

 

Lakewood, CO to Limon, CO

Distance - 106.49 miles

Time - 7:24:43

Elevation Gain - 4760 ft

Max Speed - 37.5 mph

Average Speed - 14.3 mph

Trip Total - 1999 miles

Climbin' to Limon.  He said the Colorado eastern plains were flat?

 

Riding with me the next five days is Danny a.k.a. Ez. It is nice to have a riding partner. We get to talk, draft and commiserate with each other. The support group for the next two weeks is my sister Mary and brother-in-law Elroy. We are having a great time!

 

Riding in familiar territory has its advantages. Like knowing where to stop for donuts!

 

After riding for about 50 miles we finally got out of the Denver metro area and the bedroom communities. Lots of long rollers all day. Mostly up with just a little bit of down in between. The grades were long but not terribly steep, 4%.

 

Just one nasty 11% grade east of Franktown.

Bike MS 150

Day One  Westminster, CO to Fort Collins, CO

Distance - 80.43 miles
Time - 5:22:39
Elevation Gain - 2674 ft
Max Speed - 47.6 mph
Average Speed - 14.9 miles
Trip Total - 1825 miles


Day Two  Fort Collins, CO to Westminster, CO

Distance - 67.89 miles
Time - 4:10:45
Elevation Gain - 2461 ft.
Max Speed - 35 mph
Average Speed - 16.2 mph
Trip Total 1893

Had a great two days riding in the Bike MS 150.  This is a terrific fundraiser for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.  One more time I will include the link to my MS fundraising page in case you want to donate to this worthy cause.

Kevin Bike MS 150

OLazyC to Lakewood, CO

Distance. 75.91 miles

Time - 5:17:07

Elevation Gain - 4766 ft

Max Speed - 43.4 mph

Average Speed - 14.3 mph

Trip Total - 1745 miles

Another magnificent sunrise at the OLazyC. 

 

Chilly ride to the top of Berthoud Pass. I am now on the east side of the continental divide for the rest of the ride. Berthoud Pass is the highest elevation that I will attain on the ride.

 

Shot down the other side, picked my way through Idaho Springs, and then got hammered by Floyd Hill. That hill was a rude wake-up call that I was still in the mountains. Eventually made it to Lakewood and home-sweet-home.

Resting tomorrow. MS 150 Saturday and Sunday. Resting again Monday. Next blog post will most likely be Tuesday.

Riverside, WY to Granby, CO

Distance - 103.37 miles

Time - 7:16:30

Elevation Gain - 4739 ft

Max Speed - 40.4 mph

Average Speed - 14.2 mph

Trip Total - 1669 miles

Most of the day was uphill. Nice ride out of Riverside this morning through the smoke of the fire I mentioned yesterday.

 

Glad to be back in Colorado!

 

Much of the day was spent riding through North Park into the wind.

 

Near Rand, the road turned enough to provide some relief from the wind which gave me a nice break before climbing Willow Creek Pass.

 

Down the pass into Granby, beating the rain by about one hour. Staying the night at the OLazyC cabin.  Yippee!!

Rawlins, WY to Riverside, WY

Distance - 59.77 miles

Time - 4:54:24

Elevation Gain - 1872 ft

Max Speed - 26.3 mph

Average Speed - 12.1 mph

Trip Total - 1566 miles

Only 60 miles today but they were well earned.

Rolled through the small town of Sinclair early this morning. It is a nice little town with cute houses, well-kept lawns, and a small park. The drawback is the constant din of the refinery on the east end of town and the toxic, throat burning smell that goes with it.

 

Hacked and wheezed all through town until I got clear of the refinery and upwind.

Speaking of wind, that was the major story of the day. The terrain was similar to yesterday but with relentless and gusty headwinds.

 

That is why the miles were well earned.

 

There is a fire south east of here and I could smell and see the smoke all day. Will have to ride past the fire tomorrow but it is well off the road so no detour necessary.

Bike MS 150

Ok, all you blog followers!  I have been riding hard so I can get to Denver in time to participate in the Bike MS 150 June 25-26.  It is only a few short days away and I have several hundred miles to go. I am committed to reaching Denver in time to ride in this great fundraising event for Multiple Sclerosis. Are you committed to helping find a cure for this terrible disease? If so, you can make a donation to the Bike MS 150 by visiting my secure website:

Kevin's Bike MS 150

Thank you for considering a donation!!

Lander, WY to Lamont, WY

Distance  - 93.29 miles

Time - 6:40:20

Elevation Gain - 3521 ft

Max Speed - 33.4 mph

Average Speed - 13.9 mph

Trip Total - 1506 miles

Lots of long uphill grades today with flattish terrain in-between.

 

 

 

 

Early morning riding is cool and cool. The wind is still and the traffic light. The only bad thing is that the mosquitoes attack with a vengeance when I stop. Lots of bites to scratch tonight and a good amount of blood on me from the ones I was able to slap to death.

Wanted to stop for the day in Muddy Gap but only a gas station there. Finally stopped in Lamont (an abandoned building) and drove the rest of the way into Rawlins.

Colter Bay Grand Teton NP to Lander, WY

Distance - 143.53 miles

Time - 8:41:33

Elevation Gain - 5137 ft

Max Speed - 44.4 mph

Average Speed - 16.5 mph

Trip Total - 1413 miles

Happy Father's Day!

Don't be impressed by the miles. Tailwind is a good thing.

Left the Tetons early in the morning and headed for Togwotee Pass. 

 

It was a long 35 miles slog up the pass but reasonable grade of 6% or less with several flat spots. Reach the Pass Summit at 10:15AM.

 

The possibility of bears on the road can be a great motivator!

Shot down the other side to Dubois by noon. 

The wind always blows in Wyoming and for several several hours today it was at my back, plus it was generally downhill all the way to Lander. A few climbs were mixed in with the downhill just to keep me awake. It was a true gift to be able to sit upright and spin the pedals in my highest gear.

 

Despite the high miles today, my body and spirit are weary. Hoping for the best tomorrow.

West Yellowstone, MT to Colter Bay Grand Teton NP

Distance - 92.92 miles

Time - 6:46:02

Elevation Gain - 4186 ft

Max Speed - 43.7 mph

Average Speed - 13.7 mph

Total - 1269 miles

Saturday in the park, just not the4th of July!!

Nice ride through Yellowstone. Rode up the Madison River, over to Old Faithful and then out the south end into Grand Teton NP. 

 

 

Wore the Hawkeye jersey today and saw a couple of rabid fans. One even displayed his Hawkeye shirt out of the passenger side window of his pick up as I was screaming down a hill at 30 mph!

Crossed the continental divide three times today. It's hard to remember which side I am on; currently back on the west (Pacific) side.

Had supper with Merle and Jeana. Good to see them again.

 

Staying tonight at Colter Bay in Grand Teton NP.

 

Ennis, MT to West Yellowstone, MT

Distance -74.56 miles 

Time - 5:02:39

Elevation Gain - 3040 ft. 

Max Speed - 34.6 mph 

Average Speed - 14.7 mph 

Trip Total - 1176 miles 

Today's ride had everything good about riding  a bicycle. It had flat land, climbs, descents, scenery, and mostly calm winds except for the last 4 miles.

 

Followed the Madison River Valley into West Yellowstone; past meadows, lakes, gorges and mountains.  I think I saw Steve fishing!

 

Missed two wildlife photo opportunities. An antelope with two babies and an osprey in a nest. Both times the animals ran/flew away when I stop to get out the camera.

Tomorrow will be one of the highlights of the trip; riding through Yellowstone National Park!

Dillon, MT to Ennis, MT

Distance - 72.06 miles 

Time - 4:47:41

Elevation Gain - 2577 ft

Max Speed - 47.9 mph

Average Speed - 15.0 mph 

Total Miles - 1102 

Nice morning ride through another big valley. 

 

Winds were generally light for the first few hours. After about 50 miles of flat it was time to start climbing and for the wind to start blowing. Climbed steeply after Virginia City, over a ridge, and into the Madison River drainage where we stopped in Ennis.

The descent was harrowing to say the least. As I was riding at about 45 mph the gusty crosswinds blew into me so hard the bike wheels started shaking. I thought the quick release on one of my wheels had come loose. Stopping a shaking bike going that fast is quite an adventure. Everything on the bike checked out fine so it was the crosswinds wreaking havoc with my control. Rode the brakes the rest of the way into Ennis. 

Generally following the Madison River into West Yellowstone tomorrow.

Sula, MT to Dillon, MT

Distance - 62.49 miles

Time - 5:12:00

Elevation Gain - 4187 ft

Max Speed - 37.5 mph

Average Speed - 12.0 mph

Chilly start this morning, 37°. Climbed up Lost Trail Pass and Chief Joseph Pass in the first 12.5 miles.

 

Descended into Big Hole Valley against some headwinds. Rode across the Big Hole with the winds increasing. 

 

At Jackson the winds had become pretty fierce. I sagged in the Cousin Eddie Mobile to the end of the valley so I could climb over the pass into the next valley, hoping the winds would be better there. 

 

After an arduous climb into the wind, and a descent into the same wind, I decided to pack it in for the day. Towns are few and far between out here so ended up driving to Dillon, MT. 102 miles from the start but only 62 hard miles of riding. 

It is raining now so probably a good decision to sag as I would still be out there riding... in the rain.

Lolo, MT to Sula, MT

Cold. Rain. Cold rain. All day. 

Groceries in Lolo. Attempt to fix water heater in Cousin Eddie Mobile at an RV place in Hamilton; no go.  Laundry and 2nd attempt to fix water heater in Hamilton met with much greater success. John, at John's RV repair, diagnosed and fixed the problem in 10 minutes.

Still raining so ate a 3/4 pound cheese burger at Nap's Grill. Weather forecast is for rain the next 3 days in Bitterroot valley so drove to next overnight town, Sula, and will try riding again tomorrow. 

Lowell, ID to Lolo, MT

Distance - 109.17

Time - 7:49:20

Elevation Gain - 4133 ft. 

Max Speed - 40.5 mph

Average Speed - 13.9 mph 

Back to civilization!! Rode up the Lochsa river today. About 70 long miles up river  before climbing steeply up Lolo Pass. Fair to say I climbed for 6 of the almost 8 hours of riding today. 

 

When I passed this sign, my odometer said I had already ridden 57 miles with 57 miles yet to go. Halfway!! Ended up being a few miles short of the 114.

 

 

Now I am back on mountain time and in Montana. Rain in the forecast for the next couple of days. Ugh.

Riggins, ID to Lowell, ID

Distance - 94.83 miles 

Time - 6:59:58

Elevation Gain - 4642 ft.

Max Speed - 41.9 mph 

Average Speed - 13.5 mph 

We are back in the Pacific Time zone. The portion of Idaho north of the Salmon River is on Pacific time. That's me currently. Will be entering back into the mountain time zone when I cross into Montana.

Started the day riding along the Salmon River.

 

At Wild Bird I left the river and climbed steeply, for a long time, over a ridge.

 

Dropped into a huge plateau filled with farms and ranches. Very pretty.

 

In addition to the wheat there was an interesting crop of something on the north end of the plateau. Something I had not seen before.

 

 

At the end of the plateau it was like riding over a cliff into the river valley below. I couldn't believe how steep it was. I couldn't believe how hot my rims got. I couldn't believe I did not pop a tube. I couldn't believe the Cousin Eddie Mobile made it down. I couldn't believe riders going the other direction had to ride up that. The picture below is halfway down as I let my rims cool off.

 

The last part of the ride was up the Middle Fork of the Clearwater River. I know why is called of the Clearwater River. Crystal-clear water. Will follow the Lochsa River up to Lolo Pass tomorrow.

P.S. No cell service or wi-fi in Lowell. Will post next day.