bike tour, missoula mt, to oregon coast...

well i got it, the gig to drive a support vehicle (aka BETSY) from missoula mt to the oregon coast for cono and eileen (who i met through the adventure cycling website). i stopped home to see my folks for a quick visit and headed to mountana.

the start of our trip missoula montana...

we met at the adventure cycling head quarters in missoula and spent the next day do random stuff. one of which was to get betsy's oil changed. we did so and just before we drove off realized that betsy did in fact have an oil change, but all the oil quickly went though besty to the pavement, LUCKILY!!! cono and eileen noticed it before she was driven any where. it was a bit of an ordeal, but thankfully she was calm though the whole process.

we did a small ride from missoula to about 10 miles west of lolo mt, then headed back to missoula for the night.

the next day we were off, first heading up the farmers market, after a few purchases and some kettle corn we hit the road.

the ride was wonderfully beautiful, i didn't realize how nice hwy 12 is. my favorite scenic highway in the LOWER 48 in hwy 12 in utah, and now hwy 12 in idaho is the runner up. LOVE IT.

beautiful blue sky day (we waited for the perfect day to ride up over lolo pass) this is a spot i hung out while waiting for them. i first started on the ground, but the red ants were busy biting my legs, so i moved on top of that big rock. this is just a mile or so from lolo hotsprings resort, where i was able to go for a quick hike up some really fun climbable rocks.

and here comes idaho. the boarder is at the summit of lolo pass.

eileen giving me the THUMBS UP, just as she is about to summit lolo pass and enter idaho for the first time.

and cono coming into idaho. (notice lolo pass still has some snow) ((enough for one back country tele skier)) when i asked him how it was he said "SOFT" i was feeling really thankful to not be dealing with snow still. folks back at galena are still hitting the back country hard as well.

cono and i

the lochsa river. i enjoyed a nice little walk down the river and into the woods towards jerry johnson hot springs. i didn't go the whole way to them, i needed to keep moving down the road, but it was nice to get out and go for about a mile or so.

we stayed at lolo hotsprings resort that night and had a nice little soak. i really have enjoyed the scenery so far on this trip.

cono and eileen are WONDERFUL (hope they feel the same about me) after just a day or two, we have been able to joke around with each other and be totally ourselves. its been really nice to get to know them a little more. i had a friend say to me, "you haven't even met them yet and your willing to spent 3 weeks with them, what if you don't click" well i said "then i guess its just three weeks, no big deal" but it seems that we do click. IM HAVING A BLAST!!!

and here is BETSY.

im getting ready for my ride. depending on the day, i might either bike in the afternoon once they are done, or drive far enough ahead, bike towards them, and then bike back towards besty with them. which i really enjoy doing. its been good for me to spend a bit more time on a upright bike, im hoping its strengthening my back and not hindering it. we opted not to bring my recumbent, which at first i was thinking wasn't totally ideal, but now im feeling good about using my upright. i have started off not riding too many miles to hopefully not aggravate my back to much, im sure as the days go i will right a bit more. but so far im SMILING!!!

some folks i have meet who are also touring. brent is heading toward san fran and juli and her riding partner are going to the east coast. its fun being on a specific bike route, we have seen over ten cyclist so far. brent was happy to take me up on a shower. i suspect we will see more of him since we are headed the same way for a while.

EILEEN ON HER CONFERENCE CALL. i bet she is the first one and only one who will be doing her conference call from a phone booth, in the middle of nowhere idaho wearing biking clothes and balancing her laptop (previously downloaded documents) on her knees. quite the sight to see at 7:00 am

juli and riding partner heading towards lolo pass. good luck guys

as they headed east we headed west. the day was amazing, once again the ride was spectacular. i was able to ride twice today first in the morning along the south fork of the clearwater. another fast moving river. and then again in the afternoon. after checking into the hotel, and leaving eileen for her second business call of the day, i headed toward cono and brent (who we passed on the grangeville climb). we offered to take his gear (which he gladly gave up)

the ride was one to never forget, it was fun, green rolling hills, once with the guys and heading back towards the hotel the weather changed fast, it started to rain, and rain and rain some more. by the time we were a few miles out i yelled up to cono, "hey is this about the time you were hoping your "betsy driver" would show up and rescue you from the rain" he laughed (i think) i also yelled up to him, well im getting in a ride and a SHOWER all at the same time. (that im pretty sure he also laughed at)

rain drops on the pavement.

i once again offered brent a hot shower and a place to dry off. i literally RUNG out my socks, gloves, and clothes. i couldn't believe how much water i was wearing!!!

well thats catches you up to about right now.

thanks conco and eileen, im having a SPLENDID TIME!!!