We left Lochsa Lodge this morning and after 13 miles of climbing, the last 3 steep, we made it to the summit of Lolo pass. We met Dean and Brenda there, said our goodbyes, and began our descent towards Missoula. It was really great seeing those guys but it’s unlikely we will see anyone from home again before we return.
The descent was pretty cold, in the 30’s. Last night a de-icer truck passed us, but luckily we didn’t have issues with icy condittions.
In Missoula we stopped at Adventure Cycle. They were quite friendly; greeted us, took our pictures, gave us ice cream, gave us a map of Missoula with points of interest.
We are staying at the Hutchinson hostel tonight, our roommates are about the same age as our children.
As we were planning this trip over the last few months we developed and used a lot of different check lists; the first aid list, the tool kit list, the pack in Panniers list. Checklists, checklists, we need checklists!
Resumed riding today 20 miles west of Lochsa Lodge. Dean and Brenda are staying with us tonight at the lodge. The Clearwater is muddy and it’s a little cooler. It was nice to be in Walla Walla, but we won’t return again until our trip is finished. Missoula tomorrow.
I told Liz we were carrying about 35 pounds apiece in our trailers, I said we were heavily laden. Liz said, ‘no you aren’t, unless your bikes are pregnant and you’re carrying 35 pounds of tricycles’.
Greg
Today was a steady ride up the Clearwater and then the Lochsa along highway 12 toward Lolo summit. An unexpected appointment in Walla Walla meant we would get picked up late today by Chad and Hannah and return to our ride to reach Lochsa lodge on Tuesday. The day is beautiful, sunny warm. We can hear the river beside us and smell the trees, the flowers, and the occasional dead animal along the road. There are insects out and river rafters and kayakers. We are acutely aware of the temperature and elevation changes, and it makes an indelible memory of traveling along this majestic route by bicycle rather than just seeing it from a car window. We discuss how we feel as if we are a part of the river and the terrain. We meet another cyclist named Brent who is headed to San Francisco. A little later we meet two more cyclists, Cono and Eileen, heading towards Florence, Oregon. They are on the last leg of a cross the US trip from the east coast. About 6:00 Chad and Hannah pick us up about 20 miles from Lochsa lodge. After dinner at the lodge we head back the 240 miles we’ve ridden the past 3 days. Day off tomorrow. Back here on Tuesday.
2guysbiketrip 