Day 50-51 rest day and 74 miles.
Rest days can be a good thing, and they often lead to us looking at the maps and making plans. We decide to leave the GDMBR and take a more direct route into Jackson, pavement. We ride the next day into jackson on a wonderful road with great scenery and with a great interaction at the "locals" coffee spot. We were seeking a break from the road and drinks when we walked into a small store on the road. We got our drinks/snacks and were sitting down next to a group of tough old ranchers sharing coffee. We struck up a small conversation and as one of the ranchers was leaving he came over to tell the kids he was impressed that they weren't on the couch playing computer games, and that he wished them a good ride and gave then $20 for treats at their next stop.
Riding into jackson was a treat on a paved bike path where we hung out for the afternoon and evening in the yard of Chuck and Karen a couple of wonderful warm shower hosts.
Rest days can be a good thing, and they often lead to us looking at the maps and making plans. We decide to leave the GDMBR and take a more direct route into Jackson, pavement. We ride the next day into jackson on a wonderful road with great scenery and with a great interaction at the "locals" coffee spot. We were seeking a break from the road and drinks when we walked into a small store on the road. We got our drinks/snacks and were sitting down next to a group of tough old ranchers sharing coffee. We struck up a small conversation and as one of the ranchers was leaving he came over to tell the kids he was impressed that they weren't on the couch playing computer games, and that he wished them a good ride and gave then $20 for treats at their next stop.
Riding into jackson was a treat on a paved bike path where we hung out for the afternoon and evening in the yard of Chuck and Karen a couple of wonderful warm shower hosts.
Day 52, 23 miles
July 4th and we got to see the Parade in Jackson, a little like the 49er day parade in Winthrop just bigger, but we still got to see a propane truck....We rode the bike path out into the Tetons and to Jenny Lake. We had a few issues with the Park Service. This is where they tell you there is no camping availble, and that you need to ride 20 miles in the wrong direction to camp. and they can't reserve a campsite for you as it's first come first serve, "hey we are on bikes" "yah so what! Have a nice day and no camping outside of designated areas!" Riding on the Easter flank on the Tetons is cool as the terrain is so different from anything we've ridden. Flat right up to the base of the moutains, vs. the rolling hills as foot hills. We end up finding a camping spot among the "full" hiker biker sites.
July 4th and we got to see the Parade in Jackson, a little like the 49er day parade in Winthrop just bigger, but we still got to see a propane truck....We rode the bike path out into the Tetons and to Jenny Lake. We had a few issues with the Park Service. This is where they tell you there is no camping availble, and that you need to ride 20 miles in the wrong direction to camp. and they can't reserve a campsite for you as it's first come first serve, "hey we are on bikes" "yah so what! Have a nice day and no camping outside of designated areas!" Riding on the Easter flank on the Tetons is cool as the terrain is so different from anything we've ridden. Flat right up to the base of the moutains, vs. the rolling hills as foot hills. We end up finding a camping spot among the "full" hiker biker sites.
Day 53, 40 miles
Riding out of the park was enjoyable for a little bit then the traffic started, we rode pavement most of the day and by the end we were sick and tired of the never ceasing traffic and lack of shoulders. We were happy with our route into Jackson but rejoining the route we were dismayed with the road conditions and traffic, making us happy that we didn't stay on route which would of had us riding the bad roads for many more miles.
We camped at a spot reccommended by Chuck and Karen where we hung out with a solo SOBO rider Andy and a Park Ranger from yellowstone who praised our choice of not riding into Yellowstone as the roads are narrow and the drivers are distracted and "dumb".
Riding out of the park was enjoyable for a little bit then the traffic started, we rode pavement most of the day and by the end we were sick and tired of the never ceasing traffic and lack of shoulders. We were happy with our route into Jackson but rejoining the route we were dismayed with the road conditions and traffic, making us happy that we didn't stay on route which would of had us riding the bad roads for many more miles.
We camped at a spot reccommended by Chuck and Karen where we hung out with a solo SOBO rider Andy and a Park Ranger from yellowstone who praised our choice of not riding into Yellowstone as the roads are narrow and the drivers are distracted and "dumb".
Day 54, 45 miles.
Out of Wyoming and into Idaho. Yahoo! another state down. Wiley is doing great as he has been carrying all of his stuff on the bike for the last two weeks, and we are able to pass some items of food into his hands for transport. I am liking the lighter bike and easier packing. We are gong to make it into Montana, which a few weeks ago seemed like a far off dream. Maya as always is still strong and showing us what is possible. Her earlier injuries seem to have healed and she is riding stronger than ever.
Day 55 67 miles
We get up and ride rails trails and a beautiful valley. Soon the rail trail turns to a series of loose sand and washboards created by ATV's and we grind along cursing ATV's. Our goal is Big Springs which is a series of springs that creat a river that is wide, deep and beautiful. Very cool to see the head water of a river that you could run a motor boat around. a huge pool of water that becomes a river. We go out to a late lunch and then ride on looking to cross into Montana. Our daily curse returns with rain that has been plaguing us for the last few afternoons comes on strong mixed with lighting and thunder and we find ourselves racing across the flats to the tree lines. The day becomes a long one with the "hiding" from lighting and the fresh mud on the roads. We make camp in a wildlife preserve that is home to trumpeter swans. A very cool reserve in Montana( a new state) designed with out the ranchers support to help wildlife! We share our camp with a couple of motorcyclist who are riding part of the Great divide and it's cool to hang out with other like minded travelers. Our experience with motor cyclist has been a wave of the hands so it's nice to compare notes. wish I had remembered their names, but nice guys from OK and TX.
Out of Wyoming and into Idaho. Yahoo! another state down. Wiley is doing great as he has been carrying all of his stuff on the bike for the last two weeks, and we are able to pass some items of food into his hands for transport. I am liking the lighter bike and easier packing. We are gong to make it into Montana, which a few weeks ago seemed like a far off dream. Maya as always is still strong and showing us what is possible. Her earlier injuries seem to have healed and she is riding stronger than ever.
Day 55 67 miles
We get up and ride rails trails and a beautiful valley. Soon the rail trail turns to a series of loose sand and washboards created by ATV's and we grind along cursing ATV's. Our goal is Big Springs which is a series of springs that creat a river that is wide, deep and beautiful. Very cool to see the head water of a river that you could run a motor boat around. a huge pool of water that becomes a river. We go out to a late lunch and then ride on looking to cross into Montana. Our daily curse returns with rain that has been plaguing us for the last few afternoons comes on strong mixed with lighting and thunder and we find ourselves racing across the flats to the tree lines. The day becomes a long one with the "hiding" from lighting and the fresh mud on the roads. We make camp in a wildlife preserve that is home to trumpeter swans. A very cool reserve in Montana( a new state) designed with out the ranchers support to help wildlife! We share our camp with a couple of motorcyclist who are riding part of the Great divide and it's cool to hang out with other like minded travelers. Our experience with motor cyclist has been a wave of the hands so it's nice to compare notes. wish I had remembered their names, but nice guys from OK and TX.
Day 56 57 miles.
Wind, wash boards and roads that zig and zag. We get into the groove and ride to Lima, not Lima like in Peru but as in Lima Bean. We are feeling the miles on our bodies and get a great deal at a hotel, that has beds for all of us and a bit of a mildew smell. We take showers and recover for the night.
Day 57 51 miles
We take another detour from the route as the "word" is the ride is thru more of the same fenced pasture land and we ride off route to a small grocery store and then ride more frontage roads till we rejoin with the route. Pavement is a treat as the last few days on washboards have paid a toll on our bodies. we pull into Bannock state park which is a "ghost town " where we get to learn the history of a town that hung it's own sheriff. Very cool place to check out.
Wind, wash boards and roads that zig and zag. We get into the groove and ride to Lima, not Lima like in Peru but as in Lima Bean. We are feeling the miles on our bodies and get a great deal at a hotel, that has beds for all of us and a bit of a mildew smell. We take showers and recover for the night.
Day 57 51 miles
We take another detour from the route as the "word" is the ride is thru more of the same fenced pasture land and we ride off route to a small grocery store and then ride more frontage roads till we rejoin with the route. Pavement is a treat as the last few days on washboards have paid a toll on our bodies. we pull into Bannock state park which is a "ghost town " where we get to learn the history of a town that hung it's own sheriff. Very cool place to check out.
Day 58 67 miles
A nice day of pavement riding on route. We meet a few more riders on route but they aren't very talkative. Bad bugs good roads and the rain and we ride into a campsite where we talk with a couple form Vancouver island who are about to bail on the route.
We encourage them to ride on for a few more days and tell them of some rough spots to come. We enjoy the the evening sun and breeze drying out our wet gear.
Day 59 42 miles
We get up and ride tackling a steep climb that we have been warned about, we find the results of some riders down hill run with our finding a iphone, tools, a lock and key, bug dope and who knows what else we missed. We hike a bike the steeper parts then start the downhill into Butte, where we will be saying good bye to Maya.
Maya will be returning to the Methow to get ready for a ski camp, it was one of our "deals" that maya could do at least one ski camp this summer and this is the one. Wiley, Ina and I will continue on to the Canadian border and will join Maya back in the methow in 10 days or so.
We find the Outdoorsman, a bike shop with good words spoken about it and we are treated with water, stickers, and free drivetrain cleanings, something a couple of our bikes needed! a great shop and folks working there, Yahoo!!!!
A nice day of pavement riding on route. We meet a few more riders on route but they aren't very talkative. Bad bugs good roads and the rain and we ride into a campsite where we talk with a couple form Vancouver island who are about to bail on the route.
We encourage them to ride on for a few more days and tell them of some rough spots to come. We enjoy the the evening sun and breeze drying out our wet gear.
Day 59 42 miles
We get up and ride tackling a steep climb that we have been warned about, we find the results of some riders down hill run with our finding a iphone, tools, a lock and key, bug dope and who knows what else we missed. We hike a bike the steeper parts then start the downhill into Butte, where we will be saying good bye to Maya.
Maya will be returning to the Methow to get ready for a ski camp, it was one of our "deals" that maya could do at least one ski camp this summer and this is the one. Wiley, Ina and I will continue on to the Canadian border and will join Maya back in the methow in 10 days or so.
We find the Outdoorsman, a bike shop with good words spoken about it and we are treated with water, stickers, and free drivetrain cleanings, something a couple of our bikes needed! a great shop and folks working there, Yahoo!!!!