Smokey Bitterroot Valley

When I had time I had no internet or socialization. When I have internet I steal social time to write.

Very hot while in Spokane. My ride on Tuesday left me heat ravaged. I rode MT Spokane on Wed, up higher. The Park road is closed for rework. I hoped that the closure would be further up the road thus allowing me to pedal the road until Kit Carson rd. Unfortunately it was closed right at RS leaving only the POS trail 140 to climb up. This is primarily a downhill trail that is totally blown out as it has been since I started riding it back inn the last century. I chatted w/ a ranger who gave me an on the QT a pass to climb up a closed road that finally touched 110, nasty drag a bike climb.

Getting to present I am in Hamilton, MT in the Bitterroot valley. Smoke from Forest fires, some seen right from the highway. I drove to Hamilton to the Red Barn bike shop who builds up Turners. I pulled into the parking lot w/ the back of my van facing the road in. I went inside to get trail beta. Chad started sharing. He said he had to go check out a mtn bike racer arriving. There was a 435 gravel cruncher race going on and the shop is the finish. I walked outside and saw a woman in street clothes w/ a stethoscope around her neck. She looked familiar. I recognized her as Rommy, wife of Shane from Sedona area. She was surprised also. Shane was the rider finishing.  He was surprised to see me. He just called to say he is at Bitterroot brewery and I am stopping to go socialize. Hence my opening paragraph.

Back at it. Dinner and brew @ Bitterroot brewery. Shane’s house sits a bit above the valley. looking west into the mountains smoke density increased, the sun was never completely blocked out. Smell of smoke.

Let’s see, I rode MT Spokane temp still in the 90s. I hoped to pick berries from my secret stashes, however the bushes were bare. I picked a small handfull after many minutes. I had enough for pancakes the next day. 10.88 miles climbing 2403′.

Back down in Spokane. Showers at snap and anytime locations. I stayed across the road from my old house in my neighbors’ drive. I slept w/ the side door open w/ netting across it. Sleeping under just the flannel sheet.

In Spokane there are several places I like to visit. One is Ultimate bagel for a bagelwhich. Across the parking lot is Wolfies where I get a chocolate malt. The guy working the counter remembered me and my treat. Right across the street is Jack and Dan’s as in Stockton. I would watch the Zag games there.

Thursday I did my laundry at my favorite laundromat. Dinner at the Elk. The [people that own the Elk also own Geno’s right near GU, 27 house up on the South Hill, Moon Time in Coeur d’Alene, and Front Porch in Hayden Lake. I only visited the first 3.

Friday evening was a gathering w/ friend Tom who is storing some of my stuff at his house. I owe him 2 beers a year for fees. I got rolling a bit earlier to get in a ride before the heat of the day. I drove out to 7 Mile at Riverside. While I was gettin g ready a rider pedaled up to me. He was thrilled to meet me as he had read about me. Matt builds custom wheels. I took off on my ride lasting for 19.25 miles climbing 1735′ in 2 hrs. Heat came on. Back at my van Matt showed up. we sat and chatted about rides etc. I told him about MT Coeur d’Alene. He told about his figure 8 ride. Interesting as it added more miles. He left, I left for the beer meeting.

This year I neglected making my semiannual dentist visit. I met w/ my $ man and paid my beer fee. I was free to go. Spokane was not speaking loudly to me for a longer stay. I drove away from Bill’s heading to MT Coeur d’Alene. I stopped along the way for tasks. I arrived at the cedar trees on Beauty Creek rd. Shortly afterwards a car w/ a bike on it parked across the road. The driver’s door opened then the driver got out and walked over to me. Dang, it was Tim who showed me a ride here that we rode together several years prior. Last year we met on the road, me finishing and him starting. Today we were going to ride together again. Today was a ride populated w/ several long rest breaks as we chatted. Our route was up the creek road until trail 257 climbed out of the creek. 257 intersects w/ a logging road leading to the summit. This was all uphill. AT the summit the trail turned down and Tim was gone. He is way faster than me going down. We rode down trail 227 down the the hole where 257 connects for the big hump up and out. I waited 13 mins for Tim to climb out. I’m faster going up than him. He had made a date w/ his wife that was delayed because of our talking. 20 miles climbing 3761′. Tim baled and I continued on the figure 8 as I rode towards the summit before catching Scaraboo Ridge trail down to the cut thru trail down to an overgrown logging road to pick up 257 back down. I rode across the creek and started up the other side pedaling as if my feet were attached. Not so. I got boosted up into the air coming back to earth connecting w/ the pedal spikes on the back of my left calf: blood leaked out of several deep cuts. Moose bones are still on the log alongside the trail.

I took a solar shower at the TH then drove up to 4th of July pass exiting to the south and driving looking for a sleep spot. I found a quiet spot. Hot night even at 3000′.

Sunday I got started early again then driving back road highways down to Moscow Mtn north of town. The trail system here is on private timber company land. All trails are purpose hand built trails. Big climb up to Paradise Point. MTBProject only had the Headwaters trail which I rode beyond. Good woods trails. I encountered several hikers. I had hoped I would get to ride w/ knowledgeable riders but no such fortune. Short ride of 12.9 miles climbing 2289′. Big climbs here in the Inland Northwest.

I drove into Moscow  for a shower and groceries. Continuing south the highway dropped down the Lewiston grade to the Snake River and US 12. Plan was to drive 12 up the Clearwater and go over Lolo Pass into Montana. I was either going to Missoula or up the Bitterroot to Hamilton. I chose the later. Driving south I saw heavy smoke ahead from forest fires. I almost turned around for Missoula. Instead hope for clearing skies was realized. To the west several spot fires burned on the mountain side from a previously contained fire. A blow up. I found the bike shop which brings us back to meeting Shane. No ride as today was a rest day by design. Amount of smoke will determine my rides. I learned that Missoula is having its fire burn that would have not permitted me to ride there. Fires.

I’m staying in Shane’s driveway. Chilly night as I have the doors and windows shut.

If the smoke is too heavy my next stop will be Helena. I should research there I suppose before I head there.

So now, sort of caught up. Didn’t take any pics.