Ceour D' Alene, Idaho to Spokane, Washington

Today's route was 36 miles and the cue sheet was 2 pages long.  The good news is the route was all bike path or bike trail.  The bad news is there was lots of room for bonus miles.

This group of 24 women were anxious to get on the road this morning, but did take time to really enjoy the final riding day.  Everyone was in good spirits, and successfully completed the day.  Staff assumed SAG duties today so that all guests were able to ride, and took plenty of good-natured heat when the SAG wasn't where riders thought it was going to be.

Weather was just about perfect today with sunshine and a little breeze, that turned out to be a tail wind for most of the day.  Could it get any better?  Yes!  For the most part the route was downhill, only 800' of climb today.

The Centennial Trail is a paved trail from Spokane to Ceour D' Alene.  Pavement was, generally, in good condition.  There were other trail users today, even on Sunday; but everyone was courteous and there were no issues.

I rode with different groups and riders today, and sometimes alone.  Amongst all the turns, there was only one that caused an issue near the end of the day; but it was caught in short order and we were back on track for the final 7 miles to the motel where the ride started.

This group of riders is diverse.  For some, this is their first organized tour.  For others, they are tour veterans.  It's safe to say, the majority did not understand the amount of climbing that would be involved.  For some, the tour name, The International Selkirk Loop, led them to believe the route was "through" the mountains not "over" them.  For me, I understood and hoped I was capable of the kind of climbing with the grades that I thought we would see.  I'm sure I haven't previously experienced an average 11%, 13 mile climb before and probably didn't comprehend the significance before this ride.

There's been a variety of weather but generally perfect temperatures, while there has a been a little rain at times.  I still have yet to pull out the rain gear and actually use it!

My bike is already at the bike shop to be returned to Dubuque.  I leave tomorrow and return to work on Tuesday.  Tonight we have our final group meal, and will be treated to a sit down restaurant meal which we have only done once since we left.  Thank you for your emails and comments.  Hope you've also enjoyed the ride.

Last SAG Day

We're closing in on our destination.  Today's 65 mile route ended in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho.  The route included bike path, bike lanes, quiet country roads and a few busy state roads.  All in all, riders were happier than yesterday's route.  Everyone was focused for the last long mileage day.  There was lots to see on the route today.  We're back in agricultural area and there were many osprey sightings today.

There were two scheduled SAG stops, important as there was only one town on route today with any services, Spirit Lake.

Riders left Sandpoint around 7:30 this morning after a very enjoyable time there.   Some were apprehensive about the longer mileage day again.  Everyone is tired at the end of two weeks of biking.

Sandpoint was pretty quiet when we left.  Folks were setting up for the farmers market in the park behind the hotel, but other than that there wasn't much activity.




Riders were on the road quickly to get the work done.  They exited Sandpoint via city street onto a bike path that paralleled US 95, but within 10 miles were able to get onto a quiet country road that would take them all the way to the first stop of the day around mile 24.  For some reason today, I was almost 45 minutes ahead of the riders.  It doesn't normally work out that way.  So, I had plenty time to make sure I had a safe spot away from weed control, did a little artwork for the riders on the road, talked to the locals that came by, all kinds of things.

NOT a good SAG location

SAG stops allow riders to fuel up and for the drivers make sure everyone is accounted for.

Spirit Lake seemed to be a thriving community.  Many of the riders stopped to enjoy the bakery and a coffee.

The second SAG was shortly after Spirit Lake, around mile 44.  It was about that time one of the riders missed a turn, and followed the other riders in by about two hours.







Coeur d' Alene appears to also be a thriving community.  Riders had to navigate the downtown business area to get to tonight's hotel.  There are stores, shops, restaurants and resorts.  It was pretty hectic for the riders, and all were successful in arriving at the hotel without incident.

Tomorrow we return to Spokane on a 37 mile bike path route.  No one is saying it'll be easy after what happened yesterday.

Things You Never Say On a Bike Tour....

Today's route was advertised as 43 miles.  Never say "It's going to be an easy day."

We're still in Idaho, and overnight tonight in Sandpoint.  This was an overnight on last year's ride also.  It's a great stop.  Lots of shops, cafes, wineries and the city beach.  So, personally, I was looking forward to an easy day in the saddle, an early arrival in Sandpoint and time to wander downtown.  Mother Nature and US 2 / 95 had other ideas.

It was such an ugly day, the only photos for today are of the Sandpoint City Beach at the end of the ride.



Fantastic weather this morning as we departed Bonners Ferry.  Temperatures in the 50's and warming up quickly.  

Negotiating the exit was a little tricky -- through a pedestrian tunnel, left onto the street then right onto a pedestrian walkway to climb the hill out of town.  Traffic was quite busy and once on the street the shoulder was weather checked so riders were mostly on the traffic side of the white line.  All drivers were really courteous, giving everyone enough space to move on down the road.

The further along we went the stronger the wind became, and unfortunately not in our favor.  There was a headwind all day.  But, it's only 43 miles.  How bad can it be?

That headwind coupled with really heavy traffic of all kinds and a bad shoulder on US 2 / 95 made for some pretty dicey travel starting at mile 12.  One of the riders had a flat tire 4 miles from the SAG stop, so two of us stopped to help.  The tire got changed twice because the first replacement tube was bad too.  30 minutes, alot of traffic and one long train later we were back on the road and really grateful for the next left turn that took us away from the highway at mile 23.

There was 2 more miles of US 2 / 95 later in the route, but the shoulder there was much wider, much cleaner and traffic had four lanes.

The rest of the ride was quieter and we were treated to doughnuts from the Mennonite Bakery in Bonners Ferry at today's SAG stop.  Thanks to today's SAG driver, Lois Ann.  They were awesome.

To top it off, I indulged in a hot dog when we got it.  Yes, this is why we ride, so we can eat all the junk we want.  Many of the other riders spent time at the local ice cream stores.

Everyone's in.  Everyone's safe.  Everything turned out okay, but everyone's comfort zone was expanded today.

Tomorrow it's onto Couer d' Alane, Idaho, the last stop before we return to Spokane.  

What....No Rain?

Last night's thunderstorm seemed to help break the cycle, or so we will hope.  We got up to a beautiful, cool morning, and it made for good biking.  Last night ride leader Katie declared in would be hot today.  When asked how hot that would be.  She replied 83.  She resides in Haines, Alaska.  I guess that is probably hot there.  To those of us from the Midwest, it doesn't get any better than this.  If the weather holds tomorrow, it will be sleeveless jersey day!

Today's route was 44 miles to Bonners Ferry, Idaho.  That meant a border crossing at mile 10.  The border patrol officer was cordial and moved our group of four along very efficiently.  It looks like all the riders were in for the day by early afternoon, so I presume that meant no difficulties for anyone.

Ironically, the only significant climb today was coming back into the states, but the grade was manageable and views continued to be interesting.



We also saw what appeared to be a field of poles as we crossed the border.  From what we saw later on the route at Busch Agricultural Resources, I surmise fields of "poles" must be hops.  Who knew?









The biggest challenge of the day, was 4 miles of gravel road.   The only other alternative was busy Highway 95.  Fortunately traffic on the gravel was very light and I was riding alone at that point so I got through without any problems.  I did walk 3 downhill stretches.  All 3 were short, but had no visible path that didn't have loose rock.  

Following the stretch of gravel, the road turned to rock and oil, so still not great but again low traffic.  

The route took us past a National Wildlife Refuge that is in place primarily for Northwest migratory birds.  The refuge appears to be many, many acres in size.  We were in it for quite some time, each side of the road is marked with refuge signs and anything beyond the ditch is designated as "closed."

We're in Bonners Ferry, Idaho tonight.  Chores needed to be done today, including laundry and bike clean up, especially after riding gravel.

Tomorrow we move to Sandpoint, Idaho.

Ainsworth to Creston -- 59 miles

Today is a SAG day for me.  It feels like we're moving back toward civilization.  It has occurred to me that there have been no name brand businesses for the past several days.  Today there was a Tim Horton's and a Dairy Queen in Creston.  Lots of small businesses supporting their communities and communities supporting them!

Morning sky

Skies were ominous at the start of the day, but cleared quickly. 

Bike adjustments for a successful day

Riders had a great day in the saddle with only a short climb out of the hotel that was complicated by road construction.  Everyone negotiated successfully and moved toward the next milestone, Belfour Terminal for a ferry ride across Kootenay Lake.






The ferry was full, including multiple semis.

Ride leader Katie pulling out after the ferry ride.  Thumbs up means all is okay.

Riders only had one more significant climb for the day as they left the ferry but everyone was in good spirits and seemed to enjoy the day.

Of course no day would be complete without the threat of or actual rain.  The last riders were chased by thunder. With no lightening sighted, they decided to ride it in.  I would leap frog them every five miles to make sure nothing changed, and fortunately rain held off until after supper when we had a bit of a Canadian thunderstorm.  But, who cares we're sleeping and getting ready for tomorrow when we return to home to the United States.  Thanks Canada, it's been great!

New Denver to Ainsworth -- 45 miles

After rain last night, riders were happy with beautiful blue skies and high clouds this morning.  Temperatures were cool to start.  Don't ask how cool.  I still haven't got the conversion thing down.  It's particularly disturbing when you think the route is 45 miles and the road sign says 72.  What???  Oh yeah, that's kilometers.  Can't tell you how many freak outs there have been!

This was the view at today's start --



Even though temps were coolish, it didn't take long to get warmed up.  There was an 11 mile climb right out of the motel.

The entire day was spent rolling up and down after the morning's initial ascent, and for the most part between the mountains with water running everywhere.  Either down the mountain, in a stream or a calm lake.  The views were, again, magnificent and the SAG stops today were positioned perfectly to take full advantage.






There were only two towns after leaving New Denver that were close to the route today, Kaslo and Sandon.  For the most part, we are rural but see many houses, some rustic some quite nice.  Pavement and drivers have been great.  Timber seems to be King here.  We've not seen signs of other industries, for the most part, other than tourism and the Canadian Pacific Railroad.  I'm not sure how tourism works for winter.  There have been very few ski areas visible, and most mountains are tree-covered.  The climbs that we have done usually have gates that can be closed, presumably because of snow or avalanches.  

Today's ride ended in Ainsworth, which as it turns out is an unincorporated area.  The only thing we could find there was the hotel we were staying at and a school bus turned espresso bar next store.  Consequently the hotel's restaurant was inundated with cyclists at the end of the day.  The only server working was beside herself.  She worked hard and got our group AND another group of bikers taken care of as efficiently as she could.

The hotel's claim to fame is it's hot springs.  Riders were treated to unlimited access during our stay.  There is a natural cave on the property which acts as a sauna, and a hot springs pool.  I think everyone took full advantage.  For me, I think it helped.  My legs were starting to get tired and sore and felt better afterwards.  We'll see if it gets me through to the end of the ride.

Chef Sue grilled steaks and sockeye salmon for the evening meal, only to be rained on, again.  Everyone was comfortable eating under the overhang of the hotel, and the meal was excellent.

Rain on the way.  It's just a matter of time.

Nelson to New Denver

Internet has been problematic for the past two days.  I'll catch up posts as quickly as I can.

Monday's ride was 62 miles (99.78 kilometers -- almost a metric century) to New Denver.  The route also took us through Winlaw, Sloan and Silverton.  

New Denver would be similar to Kimmswick or Galena, for those familiar with those Missouri and Illinois towns, with many little shops and cafes.  I found my way to the Canada Post and The Apple Tree Sandwich Shop at the end of the day.  But, I'm getting ahead of myself.

It was a great day on the bike, with many small climbs and one 12 mile climb late in the day.  

There were a few showers along the way but nothing heavy until dinner time.  The mountains seem to create interesting weather patterns.  We have been able to see it raining or see the rain coming for a long distance before anything happens, within a few yards it could be dry again.



This is just before New Denver.  I could see rain on the other side of the trees, but I was dry and managed to stay dry the rest of the day.

Due to the heavy rain at supper time the motel was kind enough to allow us to use a large meeting room their restaurant to eat in after our chef prepared everything in the tour trailer.

Scenery continues to be spectacular.  I can see why folks may have come to this area back in the 60's and 70's and didn't leave; although I'm not sure what anyone does here in the winter.





The water is crystal clear, whether in a lake or running in a stream; you can see straight to the bottom.  No one has tested the temperature, but I would guess it's pretty cold since it is runoff from snow melt.  Today was the first day we saw snow on the mountains.

New Denver was also the location of a World War II Internment Camp and has a tourist center to memorialize that time -- Nikkei Center.  Some of the riders did stop and found it to be very interesting.

Wildflower season is in full swing, July - August; which adds to the spectacular scenery we've had each day.  These almost look like miniature snap dragons.



Riding is challenging, but riders are having a great time making the most of the scenery and experiences.