Minnesota Mike's Ride Across America

Day 9, Thursday, Aug 30, Ione, WA – Round Lake State Park south of Sandpoint, ID miles 76, total miles 457, elevation gain 2,409.

Got an early start at 7am. Feel rested and strong after rain day/ rest day in Ione. Butt complained a little bit about being sore and having to get back in the saddle, but legs told it ‘to shut up, sit down and take a seat.’

Such a quiet and peaceful ride alongside the Pend Orielle River. No traffic in morning, no logging trucks or annoying loud oversized tire pickups. So strange. No getting myself psyched up for a long mountain climb! I love it!! Already made 28 miles and it’s only 9:30am.

Had two separate incidents of a dog chasing after me while riding through the Kalispell reservation. On my heals, no fun! Highlight was seeing a herd of a couple dozen elk in the woods next to me.

Now in Idaho. Washington was very pretty scenery, mountains and valleys. Apple orchards and winery vineyards . Will not miss climbing over the mountain passes and the 90 degree days. Will be a short stint in Idaho and then on to Montana!!

So nice of my brother, Steve and sister in law, Carol to drive up from Spokane and have dinner with me pizza, fruit and a beer while I set up my campsite. I am so appreciative!!!

Day 10, Friday, Sept 1st, Round Lake State Park 10 miles S of Sandpoint, ID – Two River RV Park, Just past Heron, MT. 62 miles Total miles 519, elevation gain 1,988.

Slept good in tent. Nice to be able to take a shower in campground to get the road grime of the day off before retiring. Perfect weather day, a little headwind in the morning. Was very busy traffic around Sandpoint with the start of a holiday weekend. Whitecaps on Lake Pend Orielle as I entered Sandpoint, ID. Long 1/2 mile bridge across lake. Had a cinnamon roll and egg sandwich at coffee shop downtown. I love that you can eat anything and not feel guilty. Need the calories, baby!!

Beautiful ride along Lake Pend Orielle. Very large lake and rode alongside for about 25 miles. Saw 13 other bikers heading the other direction. Coming from the east coast, but where is all their gear? They have a sag wagon following them and bringing to next stop. Hmmm, I like being self-supported and carrying my 40+lbs. on my bike. People in this part of country are smiling and asking me questions. A contrast from Washington.

Stopped after 60 miles at a small convenience store and they make ice cream malts here. Yes!! Found a campsite just a ways away. Two River RV Park and I am the only tent, nice and quiet. Of course I hear a train running past in the hilly woods but can’t see it. A couple deer have visited me the past couple nights, but no bears! Made coffee in morning. Had the blue moon aluminate my tent all night.

Day 11, Saturday, Sept 2, Just past Heron, MT – By Libby Dam, MT. Miles 75, Total miles 518. Elevation gain 1,873’

Pushed off at 8:45am, took my time making coffee and a cliff bar for breakfast. Hoping to find a place to eat or convenience store before Libby 50 miles away. So far nothing at 23 mile mark, guess I will pullover and have some trail mix. Beautiful calm day. Relatively flat, enjoying Montana! The sumac and low bushes are turning orange, fall is coming!

Enjoying my alone time. Person asked me do you get lonely, scared? I like my freedom and getting up and going when I want and stopping along the way when I want. Nights are busy getting camp ready and studying maps. And, with IPhone and FaceTime no reason to get lonely! Comfortable with my thoughts during the day. I have so much to be grateful for and am blessed! I do miss my loved ones!!

Finally reached Libby around 3pm and hung out at Rosauers Grocery store for about an hour, eating chili and chicken and stocking up for dinner tonight and tomorrow’s ride.

Oh boy! Don’t ask locals for directions! Usually, they go on for 5 minutes, my eyes go cross-eyed and glaze over! They get 1/2 of it right and most of the time no clue. Anyway, I got lost coming out of Libby trying to find Old Haul Road, came to a dead end and turned back to town. Wasted an hour! Got back on 37 another alternative route with no shoulder.

Camped at a remote spot Dunn Creek Flats Campground. No running water but right next to river and I purified my water. I may have been hallucinating, but fealt like it was all downhill today! Garmin says elevation gain 2,391 and descent 2,342’ let’s call it a wash! I am still rejoicing with no 10 mile mountain pass climbs like in WA!

Heading up to Eureka tomorrow, 6 miles from the Canadian border. Then will drop down to Whitefish and on to Glacier Natl Park! I am excited!! Side note, Eureka is where 10 years ago we started our Great Divide Ride, following the continental divide on mountain bikes on 90% off-road thru the mountains. I rode for 16 days thru Montana down to Wyoming and Pete and John my buddies did the whole ride down to Mexico in 52 days.

I think my body is in the rhythm of riding and I am enjoying camping in remote places. Butt has even stopped complaining! Think this new leather Brooks saddle is getting broken in or my butt has developed calaises!

Day 12, 15 miles south of Libby, MT – Eureka, MT, 57 miles, total miles 575, elevation gain 3,550

As I packed up tent a gentle rain started. This was a ‘what goes up must come down’ kind of day over and over! Lots of rolling hills. Body felt tired today. Overcast cool day but man these hills! I sweat on the ascents and cool off during the descents over and over again. I need to get to Eureka today and find a motel, three nights of camping is enough I need a bed! What a pretty ride though, Lake Koocanusa has been on my left and shear granite cliffs on my left.