Sweet, short, downhill day today. All in big ring from Morrison Lake and thru some cool canyons. Really nice.
Its hot (and breezey), as it has been for the last week or so. Not complaining for sure.
Might be diverting thru Yellowstone in a couple of days so will see what pans out about that.
Must be due for an icecream and a steak dinner tonight, mmm.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Helena 14 Aug. Rest Day
A few more pic's.....
14 Aug 2008, Helena, day off.
Nice to sleep in a bed again, but kinda feel a bit guilty (the tenting/thermarest is quite nice). Late brekky then off to the Great Divide Cyclery bike shop to get new bearings for BoB, new grips and a new bottle cage.
An outdoors shop also has just the right replacement bit for the fuel pump so everything is looking good.
13 Aug 2008, Deadmans Creek - Helana.
Straight into climbing but not as hard as yesterday. Nice grind up to our next Divide Crossing then another fast rocky descent, sweet.
Bit more flattish riding then an easy climb to our second Divide Crossing for the day, and lunch.
A fast descent and then a fast road section to Helena.
The recommended campsite was 5mls outta town so we opted for a motel instead. Good move and got one quite central for a good price. Great, as got laundry done, showered and a nice meal. I passed on a movie.
12 Aug 2008, Lincoln - Deadmans Creek
Bit of a latish start that included a cooked brekky (corned beef mash & eggs for me) and a game of pool. No sense rushing things.
Easy climb till the right hander then very steep. Really nice riding once it eased off a bit thru up-tulating dirt track. Got a vid of the team crosing the stream, so at the back of the line. Shame cos Ken had a bear encounter again (I not taking photo's anymore...) where the bear was just 30ft away and then ambled off. Yeah, a bit jealous of that.
Climb got a bit harder & looser further up and had to push a couple of sections. But really nice riding and then got to our first USA divide crossing which was cool. lucnh then a great fast rocky'ish descent. And onto the eastern side of the divide. Quite different from the western side as more open. Eventually found the dispersed campsite at Deadmans creek which was actually quite nice. Walla Walla chilli and rice for a change for dinner, yum. Another good day.
14 Aug 2008, Helena, day off.
Nice to sleep in a bed again, but kinda feel a bit guilty (the tenting/thermarest is quite nice). Late brekky then off to the Great Divide Cyclery bike shop to get new bearings for BoB, new grips and a new bottle cage.
An outdoors shop also has just the right replacement bit for the fuel pump so everything is looking good.
13 Aug 2008, Deadmans Creek - Helana.
Straight into climbing but not as hard as yesterday. Nice grind up to our next Divide Crossing then another fast rocky descent, sweet.
Bit more flattish riding then an easy climb to our second Divide Crossing for the day, and lunch.
A fast descent and then a fast road section to Helena.
The recommended campsite was 5mls outta town so we opted for a motel instead. Good move and got one quite central for a good price. Great, as got laundry done, showered and a nice meal. I passed on a movie.
12 Aug 2008, Lincoln - Deadmans Creek
Bit of a latish start that included a cooked brekky (corned beef mash & eggs for me) and a game of pool. No sense rushing things.
Easy climb till the right hander then very steep. Really nice riding once it eased off a bit thru up-tulating dirt track. Got a vid of the team crosing the stream, so at the back of the line. Shame cos Ken had a bear encounter again (I not taking photo's anymore...) where the bear was just 30ft away and then ambled off. Yeah, a bit jealous of that.
Climb got a bit harder & looser further up and had to push a couple of sections. But really nice riding and then got to our first USA divide crossing which was cool. lucnh then a great fast rocky'ish descent. And onto the eastern side of the divide. Quite different from the western side as more open. Eventually found the dispersed campsite at Deadmans creek which was actually quite nice. Walla Walla chilli and rice for a change for dinner, yum. Another good day.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Lincoln
'Tarp' Lunch during thunderstorm on Richmond Peak
View from the pass
11 Aug 2008
Easy day to Lincoln, just one climb that was supposedly 'testy' but was quite easy.
Lincoln is small and rural but we have a nice grassey spot at an RV park for just $7 with shower... :)
Bike and BoB are mostly OK but need to replace the cartridge bearings on BoB's wheel, a broken bottle cage and get new grips. Also the plunger on the fuel bottle needs replacing.
But everything else seems to be hanging in there reasonably OK
Got a couple of Divide Crossings in the next two days enroute to Helena where we'll have a day off.
The Taffs & Bristols are good company so am lucky to its great to have strayed across them.
I need to break out of tuna/paste/sauce for dinner and porridge for brekky (lots of different flavours tho), although salami & cheese slice bagels seem to be good for lunches.
Suggestions please.
10 Aug Seely Lake - Big Nelson CG
Breakfast at the diner.
'Up-tulating for a while then a fast gravel descent. Nice.
Pie and icecream at Ovando & picked up some beer for dinner.
A couple of long, corrugated road and eventually at the lake campsite which was mossie free:)
Mostly sloping site but had the place to ourselves after daytrippers had left, but I found a nice tent sized spot on grass right at the lakes edge. Fortunately lakes aren't tidal.
9 Aug Holland Lake - Seely lake
Great Day's riding.
'Up-tulating' for a while and then some sweet single track through tall grass and tree's.
Not a lot of bear calling ahd been happening for a few days...
So of course Harriet & Ken came across our first bear, which ran off :)
Would have liked to have seen it myself, next time maybe.
Stuck together a bit more with a lot more noise.
Then onto the climb for the day(Richmond Peak Pass I think) which was singletrack with huge views. By far the best riding to date. Not far from the top we stopped for lunch under a tarp with thunder lightening and rain. Really cool actually. Followed by a great singletrack descent, fast gravel descent and then to Seely lake.
Great day.
Camped at a motel, groceries and a $40 steak dinner to celebrate finishing a map, hey, why not.
8 Aug: Cedar Creek - Holland lake
Straight into a good climb. I find this best in the morning anyway. Even a bit of singletrack and a had a 'wobble' on a soft sectin of 4wd. Slow down.
Drank more today I think so felt better.
Holland Lake is great (less mossies for a start). Had a swim and went for a ride aroud to a huge rope swim into the lake. Happy not to have had swimming shorts as a good excuse not to do the swing. Am getting soft.
7 Aug: Big Fork - Cedar Creek
Hot nights sleep.
Pizza, yogurt, and juice for brekky as a change from porridge.
Took an hour to climb over to Ferndale then a fast descent and a really nice piece of rolling dirt track to Cedar/Fatty Creek, and the mossies, doh!
BoB's wheel came off and we discovered that the bearing also need replacing, which will look to do in Helena about a week away.
Used the new water filter. Seemed Ok but I guess will tell after 24hrs.
6 Aug: Whitefish - Big Fork
Nice big brekky at the icecream shop then off late'ish with blue skies and hot. Had a deer go racing across the road in front of me and Ken & I had a wolf cross ahead of us later as well.
Stopped for lunch next to Mountain Brook school and was offered icecream by the teacher and two kids there doing summer school. Really nice kids, in fact Hywell got a game of football going with then which was a fun break. They really appreciated it.
Got to Big Fork and a prime camp spot right on the lake. Groceries, pizza for tea and even dessert. Touring is hard work.
View from the pass
11 Aug 2008
Easy day to Lincoln, just one climb that was supposedly 'testy' but was quite easy.
Lincoln is small and rural but we have a nice grassey spot at an RV park for just $7 with shower... :)
Bike and BoB are mostly OK but need to replace the cartridge bearings on BoB's wheel, a broken bottle cage and get new grips. Also the plunger on the fuel bottle needs replacing.
But everything else seems to be hanging in there reasonably OK
Got a couple of Divide Crossings in the next two days enroute to Helena where we'll have a day off.
The Taffs & Bristols are good company so am lucky to its great to have strayed across them.
I need to break out of tuna/paste/sauce for dinner and porridge for brekky (lots of different flavours tho), although salami & cheese slice bagels seem to be good for lunches.
Suggestions please.
10 Aug Seely Lake - Big Nelson CG
Breakfast at the diner.
'Up-tulating for a while then a fast gravel descent. Nice.
Pie and icecream at Ovando & picked up some beer for dinner.
A couple of long, corrugated road and eventually at the lake campsite which was mossie free:)
Mostly sloping site but had the place to ourselves after daytrippers had left, but I found a nice tent sized spot on grass right at the lakes edge. Fortunately lakes aren't tidal.
9 Aug Holland Lake - Seely lake
Great Day's riding.
'Up-tulating' for a while and then some sweet single track through tall grass and tree's.
Not a lot of bear calling ahd been happening for a few days...
So of course Harriet & Ken came across our first bear, which ran off :)
Would have liked to have seen it myself, next time maybe.
Stuck together a bit more with a lot more noise.
Then onto the climb for the day(Richmond Peak Pass I think) which was singletrack with huge views. By far the best riding to date. Not far from the top we stopped for lunch under a tarp with thunder lightening and rain. Really cool actually. Followed by a great singletrack descent, fast gravel descent and then to Seely lake.
Great day.
Camped at a motel, groceries and a $40 steak dinner to celebrate finishing a map, hey, why not.
8 Aug: Cedar Creek - Holland lake
Straight into a good climb. I find this best in the morning anyway. Even a bit of singletrack and a had a 'wobble' on a soft sectin of 4wd. Slow down.
Drank more today I think so felt better.
Holland Lake is great (less mossies for a start). Had a swim and went for a ride aroud to a huge rope swim into the lake. Happy not to have had swimming shorts as a good excuse not to do the swing. Am getting soft.
7 Aug: Big Fork - Cedar Creek
Hot nights sleep.
Pizza, yogurt, and juice for brekky as a change from porridge.
Took an hour to climb over to Ferndale then a fast descent and a really nice piece of rolling dirt track to Cedar/Fatty Creek, and the mossies, doh!
BoB's wheel came off and we discovered that the bearing also need replacing, which will look to do in Helena about a week away.
Used the new water filter. Seemed Ok but I guess will tell after 24hrs.
6 Aug: Whitefish - Big Fork
Nice big brekky at the icecream shop then off late'ish with blue skies and hot. Had a deer go racing across the road in front of me and Ken & I had a wolf cross ahead of us later as well.
Stopped for lunch next to Mountain Brook school and was offered icecream by the teacher and two kids there doing summer school. Really nice kids, in fact Hywell got a game of football going with then which was a fun break. They really appreciated it.
Got to Big Fork and a prime camp spot right on the lake. Groceries, pizza for tea and even dessert. Touring is hard work.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
A few pic's....
Upper Whitefish Lake
Bear at Jonas Campsite
Cabin down off Elk Pass
Howell & Brizzles
Whitefish 5 Aug 08
Rest day today here in Whitefish, USA.
Beautiful blue sky day, just like yesterday, and nice & warm. Am sure we'll reach 'hot' later in the journey.
Just sifting, eating icecream (Huckleberry & Pecan), yum.
Am a bit unsure about my hi tech water purifier so will buy a different one later (Katadyn Hiker Pro).
The Steripen seems to be OK, but chews batteries a bit fast (likes them fresh and high powered) and am unsure how they will go later on if water is not as clear as currently around here.
Looked into sending my tent back home and buying a new smaller lighter one but at $100nzd to send back is getting a bit pricey. Compared to the others its a mansion, paid for in sweat. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger I guess (hope).
Going to do a couple of day & 1/2's as the distances seem easy enough.
Monday 4 Aug, Upper Whitefish Lake - Whitefish
Nice, still, morning at Upper Whitefish Lake campsite so took a few photo's of the lake.
An easy ride downhill to Whitefish Lake (and some flash houses) then a small climb on tarmac along the lake.
Into Whitefish and to Glacier Cyclery for some info etc.
Icecream !
Opted for CheapSleeps motel but all booked so using the campsite at $24 per night. Still its OK and have shower etc.
Lot of sifting, including a burger for late lunch, beer at the brewery then Mexican diner later.
Blue sky and nice & warm
Sunday 3 Aug, Tuchuck - Upper Whitefish CG
Cold night, and something moved some dishes off the camp table at night (heard it but didn't sound big).
Back to porridge for brekky.
Easy cruise down North Fork Rd etc with a couple of rain showers then a bit of a climb up to Red Meadow lake. All on a good gravel surface.
Had a chat to a guy with a nice strip built canoe he'd made himself (must get my kayak back on track when home).
Then a fast descent to Upper Whitefish Lake. OK, but nothing on Tuchuck.
Saturday 2 Aug, Eureka - Tuchuck Campsite
Had a nice big pancake brekky for a change. Nice. At Jax cafe as per last nights dinner. Great postcards!
Despite the reknown Quilt show, we decided to push on to Tuchuck campsite.
Quite easy (road) riding and then a bit more effort required to get up and over the pass. Then a nice downhill to the campsite.
Great spot by a stream, which Kenneth lost a flipflop in while doing press ups. Remember, he's Welsh.
And the Bristols made it as well (good effort from Grassmere & esp with the border crossing / immigration etc) which made for a crew of six. Cool.
Had a beer around the campfire.
Despite being well into grizzly territory it felt fine.
Friday 1 Aug, Barnes Lake - Eureka
Off along tarmac heading for Grassmere with a couple of direction rethinks along the way.
Not far from Grassmere got caught by 3x guys from Swansea (Kenneth, Howel and Chris) also doing the ride.
I was going to camp with the Bristols at Grassmere but decided to carry on with the Taff's to Eureka in the US to give me a shorter next day.
No probs going through the border.
Bear spray is OK if it has a picture of a bear on it.
Bit of a head wind into Eureka, a wee diversion (right instead of left), and settled into the town park for the night (nice lush grass instead of gravel :)
Groceries, a huckleberry smoothie then dinner. This cycling touring bizzo ain't so hard after all.
A German road tourer ('currious' George) joined us for dinner also. He struggled with my accent and general slang.
Thur 31 Aug, Fernie to Barnes Lake.
Easy day.
Not a flash start as one of my tent poles had fractured (fixed with a pole sleave), and then the ranger lady drove over my tent fly drying on the road as I was moving my bike to give her space. If it had ripped I definitely would not 'get over it'. Crazy - thats my house!
Anyway, a nice cruisey ride down the Elk River. Hat got a bit fast on some pot holes and jettisoned her trailer (its designed to detach when required). I wasn't too far behind her so got more of a shock than her I think. A helmet-cam would have been good.
Great spot at the campsite. Swim in Survey lake (with cycle clothes so laundry done as well) was nice and refreshing.
Saw a turtle.
And some skunks nor far from our camp area.
Rice & chilli for dinner then invited for desert by our RV neighbour and extended family. Just as we were heading off for the dessert the park ranger had us move off the 'endangered' grass/dirt and onto gravel which pissed us off (and I bent 2 more tent pegs). Tosser.
Park rangers 2, Andy 0.
A nice cruisey day anyway.
Beautiful blue sky day, just like yesterday, and nice & warm. Am sure we'll reach 'hot' later in the journey.
Just sifting, eating icecream (Huckleberry & Pecan), yum.
Am a bit unsure about my hi tech water purifier so will buy a different one later (Katadyn Hiker Pro).
The Steripen seems to be OK, but chews batteries a bit fast (likes them fresh and high powered) and am unsure how they will go later on if water is not as clear as currently around here.
Looked into sending my tent back home and buying a new smaller lighter one but at $100nzd to send back is getting a bit pricey. Compared to the others its a mansion, paid for in sweat. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger I guess (hope).
Going to do a couple of day & 1/2's as the distances seem easy enough.
Monday 4 Aug, Upper Whitefish Lake - Whitefish
Nice, still, morning at Upper Whitefish Lake campsite so took a few photo's of the lake.
An easy ride downhill to Whitefish Lake (and some flash houses) then a small climb on tarmac along the lake.
Into Whitefish and to Glacier Cyclery for some info etc.
Icecream !
Opted for CheapSleeps motel but all booked so using the campsite at $24 per night. Still its OK and have shower etc.
Lot of sifting, including a burger for late lunch, beer at the brewery then Mexican diner later.
Blue sky and nice & warm
Sunday 3 Aug, Tuchuck - Upper Whitefish CG
Cold night, and something moved some dishes off the camp table at night (heard it but didn't sound big).
Back to porridge for brekky.
Easy cruise down North Fork Rd etc with a couple of rain showers then a bit of a climb up to Red Meadow lake. All on a good gravel surface.
Had a chat to a guy with a nice strip built canoe he'd made himself (must get my kayak back on track when home).
Then a fast descent to Upper Whitefish Lake. OK, but nothing on Tuchuck.
Saturday 2 Aug, Eureka - Tuchuck Campsite
Had a nice big pancake brekky for a change. Nice. At Jax cafe as per last nights dinner. Great postcards!
Despite the reknown Quilt show, we decided to push on to Tuchuck campsite.
Quite easy (road) riding and then a bit more effort required to get up and over the pass. Then a nice downhill to the campsite.
Great spot by a stream, which Kenneth lost a flipflop in while doing press ups. Remember, he's Welsh.
And the Bristols made it as well (good effort from Grassmere & esp with the border crossing / immigration etc) which made for a crew of six. Cool.
Had a beer around the campfire.
Despite being well into grizzly territory it felt fine.
Friday 1 Aug, Barnes Lake - Eureka
Off along tarmac heading for Grassmere with a couple of direction rethinks along the way.
Not far from Grassmere got caught by 3x guys from Swansea (Kenneth, Howel and Chris) also doing the ride.
I was going to camp with the Bristols at Grassmere but decided to carry on with the Taff's to Eureka in the US to give me a shorter next day.
No probs going through the border.
Bear spray is OK if it has a picture of a bear on it.
Bit of a head wind into Eureka, a wee diversion (right instead of left), and settled into the town park for the night (nice lush grass instead of gravel :)
Groceries, a huckleberry smoothie then dinner. This cycling touring bizzo ain't so hard after all.
A German road tourer ('currious' George) joined us for dinner also. He struggled with my accent and general slang.
Thur 31 Aug, Fernie to Barnes Lake.
Easy day.
Not a flash start as one of my tent poles had fractured (fixed with a pole sleave), and then the ranger lady drove over my tent fly drying on the road as I was moving my bike to give her space. If it had ripped I definitely would not 'get over it'. Crazy - thats my house!
Anyway, a nice cruisey ride down the Elk River. Hat got a bit fast on some pot holes and jettisoned her trailer (its designed to detach when required). I wasn't too far behind her so got more of a shock than her I think. A helmet-cam would have been good.
Great spot at the campsite. Swim in Survey lake (with cycle clothes so laundry done as well) was nice and refreshing.
Saw a turtle.
And some skunks nor far from our camp area.
Rice & chilli for dinner then invited for desert by our RV neighbour and extended family. Just as we were heading off for the dessert the park ranger had us move off the 'endangered' grass/dirt and onto gravel which pissed us off (and I bent 2 more tent pegs). Tosser.
Park rangers 2, Andy 0.
A nice cruisey day anyway.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Fernie
Made it to Fernie yesterday, into a hot headwind. Wasn't as far from Sparwood as I thought.
Met up with Kate and Harriet (Hat) from Bristol at the Fernie campsite. They are also doing the GDMBR and started a few days before me but have had a coupe of days off in Fernie. They are using an unusual Polish trailer design. Uses a normal 26" wheel with a couple of slings on the side for gear. Might try it out for a comparison. They tried a BoB but opted for this other method, but I'm liking the BoB system so far.
Anyway, am having my first day off.
Mainly cos its thunder & lightening etc but also I think Ive earned it. Had a nice lie in this morning till lunchtime, listening to radio/MP3 and the rain on the tent - quite relaxing actually. No showers here at the CG so off down to the aquatic centre, maybe even a swim later, and possibly laundry.
Fernie seems quite cool with a few bars etc down main street and all the facilities. The only downside so far being that the CG is a mile or two from town, up a slight hill and has no shower. I think I'm geting picky already.
Anyway, down-dulating to the border from here, then the Whitefish Divide.
So far the route description isn't quite as bad as I'd thought and navigation is no problem (just check twice and keep an eye on the trip distance).
Met up with Kate and Harriet (Hat) from Bristol at the Fernie campsite. They are also doing the GDMBR and started a few days before me but have had a coupe of days off in Fernie. They are using an unusual Polish trailer design. Uses a normal 26" wheel with a couple of slings on the side for gear. Might try it out for a comparison. They tried a BoB but opted for this other method, but I'm liking the BoB system so far.
Anyway, am having my first day off.
Mainly cos its thunder & lightening etc but also I think Ive earned it. Had a nice lie in this morning till lunchtime, listening to radio/MP3 and the rain on the tent - quite relaxing actually. No showers here at the CG so off down to the aquatic centre, maybe even a swim later, and possibly laundry.
Fernie seems quite cool with a few bars etc down main street and all the facilities. The only downside so far being that the CG is a mile or two from town, up a slight hill and has no shower. I think I'm geting picky already.
Anyway, down-dulating to the border from here, then the Whitefish Divide.
So far the route description isn't quite as bad as I'd thought and navigation is no problem (just check twice and keep an eye on the trip distance).
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