Update Jun 30, Townsend, MT

Free internet service has been spotty, even in Missoula.  So, I'll try to summarize highlights from time-to-time, rather than give daily highlights.  Our first century ride was Thompson Falls, MT to Missoula -- 101 miles.  Hot, head winds and a significant climb at the 75 mile mark.

Noel & I had a hard day, especially that last 75.  We found an art gallery in Arlee that served smoothies, which helped us cool off (90 deg). We eventually got to the UM dorms at 6 PM.  Luckily, they held the food service open for us -- and we weren't the last.  Two more riders followed, the latest at 7 PM.
The next day was a welcomed rest day: lazy breakfast, lunch with some local ALA associates, some shopping, dinner & bed.

We're now in Townsend, MT.  The 90-miler Wednesday went much better -- Missoula - Avon, 99 miles, 3,600' of climbing, following the Blackfoot River upstream.  We arrived about 4:30 (?).
The trip from Avon to Townsend was "short" -- only 60 miles.  We started with a 1,500' climb over MacDonald Pass on Hwy 12, crossing the continental divide at an altitude of 6,300'.  The altitude effect on breathing has been noticeable.

I'll add pictures when we get to Billings Sunday -- I hope.

Spokane WA to Sandpoint ID -- Jun 25

An uneventful day -- which is good.  76 miles, 2,190' of climbing, temps in the 60s with breezes at our back.

We're staying on the grounds of a very nice athletic club, with full use of the facilities.  We hiked to downtown Sandpoint, about a mile, for dinner at Ivan's --excellent Italian restaurant.  I had lamb t-bone with pasta, veggies, minestrone, salad & beverage.

Tomorrow we're off to Thompson Falls, MT, a ride of 88 miles.  From there its a 101 mile day into Missoula; our first century ride, followed by a rest day.

Stay tuned..

Snoqualmie Falls, Snoqualmie rest stop

Mayor Mike McGinn & local chapter ALA CEO Renee Klein -- ride kickoff

Mary at the kickoff dinner, Sun 6/19 -- her birthday!

Spokane -- rest day

The final run  into Spokane was uneventful.  Except Noel & I had our yougest rider (Gabe, 16 yo from NYC, lower eastside) very "agitated".  We picked him up at the last checkpoint getting a flat fixed by Richard, our team machanic.  Noel & had planned to scout a possible route through the city to Gonzaga U. using the Centennial Trail along the Spokane River.  As we started deviating from the daily route sheet, Gabe became concerned. Since Noel & I didn't know the exact route -- we were scouting, after all -- we had to make up the route as we went, poking in here & there to see where the path led us.  We were sure we'd find our way, both knowing where we were and where were destined, with some knowledge of the city.

Gabe wasn't buying it, but had little choice but to follow, reluctantly.  We eventually found a route -- of course.

Today was relaxing.  Breakfast at Starbucks, shopping, lunch at Anthony's, Thai for dinner, soon to bed.  Tomorrow is 76 miles to Sandpoint, ID.

The second half....

See my previous post for days 1 & 2.

Wednesday was our hardest.  It  started easily enough with long 4 mile climb along I-90 up the east side of the gorge -- not steep.  At George WA (really, there is such a place) we took to the backroads on to Odessa.  The trip covered 83 miles -- but the hard part was temps in the low 90s.  Not something most of us are acclimated too -- yet.

Overnight accomodations were at the Odessa High School.  Dinner was prepare by parents raising money to send their kids to Fla for a business-themed competition.  Great food; chicken Parmesan, penne pasta, Caesar salad, brownie & chocolate ice cream, watermellon.  Yum.  Bernie & I followed up with a beer at the Rolling Thunder Saloon.

Yesterdy was our easiest through rolling dry land wheat fields into the pine woods approaching Spokane.  77 miles, temps in the 60s and a tailwind.  Sweet!    Continued in my next post,

A great start.

We're on our first rest day in Spokane -- scattered clouds, lots of sun, cool & breezy.  Time to do laundry, shop for items forgotten or not, leisurely lunch at Anthony's looking at the falls, clean the bike, update my blog, etc.

So far we've ridden 323 miles in 4 days with no major mishaps.  Personally, I feel stronger as the days go by, although I'm dealing with some saddle sores -- not unusual.

Day 1 (6/20) was overcast & cool (60's).  Great weather for the climb to Snoqualmie Pass.  4,216 ft. that day.  Our campsite was Lake Easton State Park, east of the Summit.  Total riding distance was 84 mi.  We were treeated to dinner prepared by Big Ride alumni from the puget Sound area; burritos, beans, fruit, cookies, cake,etc.  It really hit the spot.

Tuesday was an early start day, 7 AM, to beat the heavier traffic on the 4 miles segment of  I-90 we rode before taking backroads of the Yakima valley through Thorp, Ele Elum, to Ellensburg for a "lunch" stop.  Our standard lunch  is PB&J sandwiches, plus some other snack items.  Time to water up, put on more sunscreen and stretch out a bit.

In the afternoon we rode over the Kittitas ridge, followed by a long descent intoVantage on the Columbia river.

This was the most beautiful ride so far, with temps in the 70s and gereat scenery.  Not much climbing -- only 1,500 ft over 72 miles. Noel & I arrived in camp at 2 PM.  Dinner was in the restaurant at the campground ordering from the menu.  Evening was very picturesque with excellent evening light for some photos.

Next post will cover the rest of the story up through yesterday.

Last night at home for two months

I've got my bags packed (stuffed) nearly to the weight limit, and my bike's tuned & ready to roll.  Tomorrow Noel & I -- and any other Big Riders who might come -- will attend the 10:30 mass at Trinity Episcopal Church.  Fr. Paul Collins will bless us on our way, and bless our bikes, too.

After coffee hour and some lunch, Mary will deliver me to the Emerson Dorms at Seattle Pacific University for the 2 PM orientation meeting, where we'll meet the other riders, most for the first time.  Following orientation we'll have dinner at the dorm with spouses & other family members.

Then, it's early lights out.  Well -- there may be a beer at the Nickerson, first.

On Monday it's an early wakeup, eat breakfast, load the bags, take group photos, say goodbyes -- and start riding at 0730.  The first leg follows the Burke-Gilman Trail around the north end of Lake Washington and south to Marymoor State Park.  From there we follow SR-202 over the Sammamish Plateau, continuing east to Fall City, Snoqualmie, and North Bend.

From North Bend we hop onto I-90 for a few miles to Denny Creek, then onto the old highway up to Snoqualmie Pass.  Noel, Daria & I rode this section, 71 miles, a week ago Friday.  It was easier than we expected, although the traffic noise along I-90 is "annoying".  I'm wearing an  ear plug in my left ear on Monday.

From Hyak, 2 miles east of the Summit, we'll be ferried around the highway construction along Lake Keechelus -- 10 miles.  Then, it's back on the bikes for the 10 mile downhill run to Lake Easton State Park, our first campsite.

Monday's dinner will be prepared by local alums of the Big Ride, a great tradition of the Big Ride.  Which reminds me, one of our local Riders, Kate Montana, is the daughter of a Rider from '88.

Well, I'll be signing off for now.  Hopefully, my electronic gizmos will let me keep the blog up to date in a reasonably timely fashion.  Wish us well -- add a prayer, if that's in your tradition.

Training update Jun 6

Last Friday Noel, Steve, Daria & I rode form Enumclaw (elevation 800') to Crystal Mountain ski resort (elev. 4,600'), a distance of 38 miles (76 round trip).  The last 2,000' elevation gain is in the last 6 miles, a representative mountain climb.  The only bad part of the trip was the discovery that the Snorting Elk restaurant at the resort wasn't open on Friday's, so we ate at the Naches Tavern in Greenwater on the way out.  Great day, good workout -- a welcome respite from the miserable Spring weather we've had.