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What, me worry? August 26, 2008Leave a comment  View More Images MONTANA!!!! Yee haa! What a ride! If there is a more beautiful place on the face of the earth then the road up to Lolo Pass from Lewiston, ID, then someone better show it to me! I am hard pressed to think such a place exists. I heard a story once about a couple that was visiting another part of the mountains and kept bragging about how their place back home was so beautiful that it was obvious God did his handiwork there. Their friends were not impressed and opened up the door to their deck and stepped outside saying, "well, if God does his handiwork there, this is where he takes his vacations!" Let me cover the remainder of the yesterday and fill you in on what happened today. If anyone is trying to reach me by cell, or trying to text message me, I am still out of coverage. Give me a shout via email. Darn technology... I completed yesterday's mid-day blog from the River Dance Lodge, where they had the last connection to the internet that I would find until this evening. Stacy Phelp and Jay Roman came over from Rapid City and did some filming of my ride up Hwy 12 toward the Wilderness Gateway Campground. Jay was sitting on the back of the van with the hatch open using an High Definition camera. I thought I was going slow until cars had to slow down to wait for Jay and Stacy slowly tooling up the highway. I appreciate their desire to get this on film and the creativity with which they do it. Jay kept telling me I had quite a climb ahead as they has just come down the highway I was going up. "It just kept going downhill, John. You've got some serious climbing to do." "Man, that is some steep hill. Gonna take you a while." "I think I saw another cyclist using a ladder to get up the hill." (just kidding, it was an elevator...) Lolo Pass was still another day ahead, so I just put it in the back of my brain. Why worry when there was nothing I could do about it? the road up to the campground was gradual and only a 1 to 2% grade. Nice and shallow and just followed the Lochsa River. Lots of places to access the river along the way. I am sure in the spring there is a great deal of river rafting that occurs here. The river is substantially down, but I bet it runs pretty fierce with the spring runoff. I came across a bridge that is used for access to the back country. A couple of bikers (motor types) were being tourists just like me and taking photos of the bridge and the river. Ron (I think) and John (easy name to remember) were headed to Portland and graciously took a picture for me. I crossed into the Bitteroot Wilderness as I continued my climb. I have always read stories about people backpacking in this area and how primitive and remote it is. Lots of wildlife is said to inhabit this area, but I only saw one deer my entire ride. Which brings me to the title of today's blog. For those of you that had the privilege of growing up in the 60's and 70's, Alfred E. Neuman, the cover art for Mad Magazine had the saying, "What, Me Worry?" Just about every time I stopped as I made my way up Hwy 12, people kept telling me to watch out of the cougars. Mary Park at the Bear Hollow Gift Shop said they were very territorial. "But don't worry about the wolves, since you aren't going up Lolo Pass." "Um, er, that's the direction I am headed." "Oh, then maybe you should worry about them. They're really big!" Another gent at the Cougar Canyon Store (appropriately named) told me that some guy introduced the Canadian wolf here a few years back and everyone is upset. "Killing all of the big game. An occasional biker too! (just kidding)!" Another guy, Brian, at the Wilderness Campground, a young man from New York that worked as an outfitter taking hunters back in the wilderness, said that the wolves were much bigger than the original ones that inhabit the area. "The big ones get up to 185 pounds. Get three of those guys on you and you don't stand a chance. They usually come around the pack animals and play a game trying to get one to spook. I just saw seven wolf kills right up over there on that trail. Maybe a mile or two up. They're full though. Lots of game around, so they just play these games." So I asked, "What about the cougars?" "Oh, they will be on your neck before you know what hit you." "Oh, great!" geezzz..... So, I had a tremendous amount of insight into the possibility that I could die a horrible death at the hands of our furry friends. My pepper spray seemed like a weak substitute and merely a seasoning for me, instead of a deterrent to them! But really, what are the chances? Why worry? If you are so worried that you can't enjoy the trip, why bother? Some things you just can't control. The odds are incredibly slim that anything would happen, so you just be conscious of your surroundings and don't do something stupid, like trail a dead deer carcass behind your bike.... People always ask me if I was ever scared on the space shuttle. "Were you scared during launch?" "Aren't you afraid something is going to happen?" All I can say is you are conscious that something can go wrong, but you can't let it overcome your ability to do your job. If you do, than you shouldn't be there in the first place. It is matter of controlling those things that you have control over and not to worry about the things you don't. Rather than worry about the animals that could be stalking my every move, I instead concentrated on the beauty of the world around me and pedaled to my hearts content! Why ruin a good thing? My biggest fear was about the most dangerous animal in the forest. An inattentive or intoxicated driver is far more of a problem that any animal could ever be. I pulled into the campground and set my tent up just in time for the skies to open up. It deluged a good portion of the night, so I forgot to get any pictures of the setup. My Big Agnes Emerald Mountain SL2 tent worked great! Kept me warm and dry! One of the things that is so much fun for a camper after a rain is to pack a wet tent! I didn't want any extra weight to drag up the pass, so I did my best to shake the water off. One of my fellow campers, Grady Sutton, came by and we took our picture together. Great guy! He thought I was in my 30's! Bless you my friend, bless you!! My plan was to get over the pass before evening set in. The temps were cool, in the 50's and still a bit of an overcast. I was hoping it would clear up, but the cool temps were a far cry better climbing the pass than the temperature I had climbing Snoqualmie. The ride up the river was spectacular! Every turn brought a picture postcard into view. The water was crystal clear and the air smelled of wet pine. The traffic was light and I never had a problem with anyone squeezing me off the shoulder. All of the drivers gave me a wide berth. I came across my first transcontinental cyclists of the trip. Keith, Jesse and Rick started in different locations, but joined up along their journey. Keith started from Kitty Hawk and I am not sure where the other two started. I believe they were headed to Florence, OR. Lots of fun to chat on the open road! Good luck guys! Now, this is not a name of a creek you would expect to run into up here! Post Office Creek? Who are they kidding! How about Stamp Creek or Envelope Creek? How about Big Heavy Package Creek? Or better yet, Can't Find a Post Office Up Here Creek! Or, Up the Creek! I must have Monty Python on the brain, because I swore this thing was a coconut! "Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?" How about big granite boulders shaped like coconuts? I wonder how many African Sparrows you would need to carry this thing... I was cranking with my head down (thanks to my aero bars) and saw a historical site to my left. I thought I would just pass it by until I came to a river rock grave on my right, just below the side of the road. I took a picture of the grave site and went over to read what the site was about. Colgate Licks is a memorial to a man that had die years before during an attempt to float down the river. His remains were buried next to the river! Wow! There were a couple of hot springs along the way, but both were about a one mile hike off of the road and I didn't feel like leaving my bike exposed. I would have loved to have jumped in, but I would want my bike when a came back. Small thing, don't you think? Worry wart, huh? Jerry Johnson springs is one, Weir springs is another. I hear both are clothing optional... The pass was slowing getting closer. Road signs can be a blessing and a curse. Too many and they remind you of just how far you have to go. Too little and you keep guessing. These were just right. Only one! There was a very nice historical site that covered the Nez Perce journey to Montana. Horace and his family make a pilgrimage back to the Bear Paw Battleground every year to honor those that sacrificed. His great-grandfather being one of them. I stopped at one of the campgrounds close to the point where the road starts to get steep and found an old well pump with the most delicious cold water! Pumping with one hand and taking pictures with the other! What fun! As I started to leave the river, the road became steeper and followed a more direct route to the summit. I stopped by the Lochsa Lodge for lunch and walked into a corporate retreat. Everyone was so intense and talking about this managed care plan and how many people that could cover in at home health care. Blah blah blah... I thought corporate retreats were meant to be relaxing and a place to recharge. These folks were going full bore and about as stuffy a group as I have ever met! Chill out and go ride a bike for goodness sake.... Do you a world of good, guaranteed! Just before I crossed the last creek where the road stretched to the summit, I came across an interesting contraption in the river. I think it was a gold sluice, but I am not sure. It was powered by the flow of the water and turned slowly as the water ran through it. I was a bit curious to see he might have dragged on board, but I thought I might get shot for jumping someone's claim so I deferred to my lawful side and continued on... The road became much steeper, reaching about 6% for five miles (how many feet of elevation would that be? Math for the day). I just kept my head down and cranked slowly up the road to the summit. I tried to get a couple of shots to give everyone an idea of how long the climb was, but again, unless you are in the thick of it, the pictures don't do it justice! I peaked out on the summit and enjoyed a cup of coffee at the summit forest service lodge (our tax dollars at work, thank you). From there I crossed into the mountain time zone and descended down to the Lolo Hot Springs Lodge! The WATER WAS AWESOME!!!! One happy and wet guy! I can't say enough about what a spectacular journey this has been. It has exceeded my expectations ten fold and I am only 800 miles into the ride! I look forward to many more miles of amazement and wonder! Thanks for joining me, however vicarious it may be.... More Images:                                 8 Comments
Aug 27, 2008 4:27 pm - Bob Williams wrote : Very much enjoying your blog and envying your trip. I too stayed at Lola Hot Springs in Sep 1996 before visiting Missoula and eventually camping in Stevensville pop.1200 . There was a good bike shop in Hamilton Valley Bicycles if you need it I had to replace a rear tire due to wear after 2155 miles . Camped at Lost Trail Hot Springs Resort on Rte. 93 and used 102-degree hot tub and 92-degree pool. Great meal in resort dining room. An excellent way to end a 63-mile riding day. Good luck. Bob
Aug 27, 2008 4:14 pm - your lil sis wrote : Your daily statistics gadget is great! Love the pics too! xoxo ls
Aug 27, 2008 2:43 pm - Rhonda Medcalf wrote : What beautiful country! It looks like you are having the time of your life! My math classes are following your journey and eagerly await your take on the day. We'd love to see you if you have time as you slide through Ada. Take it easy and enjoy! Rhonda
Aug 27, 2008 2:40 pm - L. Delheimer wrote : John, When I met you a few months ago, you told me about your ride. Looks like you are making great progress! Thanks for blogging it. Some of have to live vicariously, really enjoying the pictures.
Aug 27, 2008 9:09 am - Tim wrote : Interesting Blog. The "interesting contraption" you saw in the Lochsa River is a "Screw Trap" to trap Salmon. Cheers! Tim
Aug 27, 2008 8:32 am - NP wrote : I'm glad that you made it through Highway 12 to Lolo Pass okay. Now you see why Nez Perce people were concerned about your riding your bike on that narrow and twisting road! I agree that it is an amazingly beautiful stretch of road, right along the river with the forest all around. God bless.
Aug 27, 2008 8:02 am - Tonya wrote : Happy Birthday! Keep up the wonderful blogging. Add a comment: |
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Thank you John for stopping in our classroom this afternoon. Today was our first day of school, and some of my students have already expressed how interested they are in science and space exploration. One student greeted me this morning say that she is very interested in meteorology and astronomy. When I was in fifth grade, I'm not sure I even new what the word "meteorology" meant. These are some impressive kids with great potential, and I appreciate your being so willing to share your inspiring experiences with them. I'm sure your trip is going to be followed online by many interested youngsters and oldsters. My wife and I are avid cyclists. She is a transcontinental vet. Of all the dangers cyclists face, wild animals are pretty near the bottom of the list. I have never heard of a wolf or wolves attacking a human, and have always counted myself lucky when I have gotten glimpses of them. Mountain lions, on rare occasions, do tangle with pets and sometimes small children, My wife has bicycled passed a lion within the Missoula city limits. They are out there but tend to be extremely elusive. Best wishes