Week 2: To Missoula, Montana (229 miles)

On Saturday, July 17th, my dad continued up the Clearwater River, instead of taking the 3000-foot climb uphill. He didn't realize how dangerous this route was until afterwards. There is normally heavy traffic and narrow shoulders, but since it was Saturday, the traffic was light and he didn't have any problems. He completed 72 miles to Kamiah, Idaho, and stayed in a motel because he got into town late and his feet hurt. Kamiah had a cool downtown and he ate a delightful meal that made up for the hard day.

These type of historical markers are common along the route.

On Sunday, July 18th, he completed 57 miles to the Wilderness Gateway Campground, which is run by the U.S. Forest Services. There was no running water, which means there were no flush toilets and no showers. My dad washed up and rinsed his clothes in the creek. He climbed 2,500 feet with gentle slopes and a nice tailwind. The views were beautiful and he finished his ride on the Lewis & Clark trail, where there weren't many cyclist; and is now on the Transamerica trail, where there are many cyclist, so he gets to meet a lot more people, and hear a lot more stories and tips. He met Rich, a retired computer programmer from New York, and rode with him for a couple days.

Home Away From Home

Coffee on Sunday Morning

On Monday, he lunched with an interesting couple from New Zealand. He ended his 42-mile day at Powell Campground, where there was an Adventure Cycling tour group staying the night. An Adventure Cycling photographer came in and saw my dad with his Transamerica jersey on and assumed he was with the tour. Later, after dinner, the photographer came back by and took a picture of my dad and Rich. When my dad and Rich stopped by the Adventure Cycling Headquarters, where they enjoyed some free ice cream, they found a blown-up picture of themselves that the photographer took. It amused them to see an unexpected picture of themselves.

Dad and Rich

On Tuesday, July 20th, my dad completed 58 miles over the Lolo Pass to Missoula, Montana. He had no cell service there, so he didn't have access to his map, calendar, phone, etc. His feet still hurt and he is concerned that the pain is from new injury as opposed to past bruises healing. He is trying his best to take it easy.