Day 14-East Glacier MT to Shelby MT

Leaving the mountains was bittersweet. We've been in the Rockies for last four days since entering Idaho. Now we say goodbye to the Rockies for the Great Plains of Montana.

But each place has it's charm. The Great Plains are massive, rolling and vast. It's bigger that the Rockies. If full of history. Lewis and Clark navigated them on the great rivers. We saw a marker showing Camp Disappointment, (check it out on Wikipedia).


The great challenge of the plains is the heat and lack of places to stop for water. Today, is was 93 degress F. It felt so good to wet down my jersey and my helmut. The 22 mph speed of the bicycle cools quickly through evaporation.

Distance: 72 miles
Time Biked: 407
Ave. Speed : 17
Climbed: 616 ft
Overall distance: 862 miles
Overall climbed: 37526

Day 13- Day of Rest in Glacier Park

After an intimate time of worship and pray just among the team, we spent a wonderful day in God's creation. What a great sabbath rest.

Glacier park is... are you tired of hearing it... beautiful.



Becky is collecting wildflowers, photographically. She loves flowers the variety is boggling her mind.

Day 12- Columbia Falls to East Glacier

We spent a great time with the folks of Our Savior Lutheran church and our wonderful hosts Mary and Norm Hagen. Columbia Falls is at the foot of the range of mountains that borders Glacier National Park. It was great to wake up at the Hagens and see the mountains a quarter mile away.


















Then is was off to the Glacier Park and Marais pass. After a short ride from Columbia Falls to Glacier west, we took a short side trip into the park to see Lake McDonald.


From West Glacier we crossed the southern end of the an up the 5200 ft pass. It also happens to be the continental divide.

















The group was particularly gratified to make this pass. It seems harder than all the others we did. Maybe it was the 95 plus degree heat.

Day 11-Eureka to Columbia Falls

Today I caught up on chocolate milkshakes. They are the best food for restoring glycogen in the muscles!

Day 10 Libby MT to Eureka MT

From Libby we followed Route 37 all the way to Eureka. It runs by the Koocanusa (kooh-can-oosa) lake, which is a formed by the Libby Dam. The dams provides hydroelectric power for the whole region. We had the wind at our back nearly the whole way, which is great for bikers. The word Koocanusa comes from the Kootenai River, Canada and USA. The lake is formed from the Kootenai River and extends from Canada to the US.

The climate is again changing from the more lush mountains to drier rolling hills surrounded by mountains. Today, Becky saw a bear cub along the side of the road and I saw a deer.

















The riders are now breaking into very distinct group. There is the faster group made up mostly by Paul Bayfield, Tom Philips, Zach Chapin and Arek Karagoezian. I stay with them in the mountains but on the flats, I don't need to work that hard. Then there is Stewart Rowell and Dan Chapin. Bring up the rear is Jonny and Fionna Young, Bryan Blomker and Mike Scott. There aren't fixed groups as Bryan and Mike and I ride with all the groups.

Today we were welcome the the 1st Baptist Church in Eureka. Pat the pastor and his team rolled out a very good potluck.

Distance: 69.5 miles
Climb: 3743 ft
Total time: 6:38
Riding Time: 5:00
Ave. Speed: 13.2 mph
Max Speed: 35.9
Calories: 25480
Overall distance: 646.7 miles
Overall Climb: 3169 feet

Day 9-Clark Fork ID to Libby MT

Perhaps the most beautiful day we've had. The run north along the Bull River was stunning. The wetlands were a lush green foreground for the Cabinet Wilderness Area.

Last night, we stayed at the "Filling Station," a youth center that was built by a visionary group of people to help bring the Gospel to the youth of their town.

Distance: 91 miles
Climb: 3593 ft
Total Time:
Bike Time: 4:15 h
Ave. Speed: 13.2 mph
Max speed:
Calories: 4547

Day 8 Newport WA to Clarks Fort ID

We completed our traverse of Washington and entered Idaho. The relatively short 59 miles took us along the Pend Oreille River, through the towns of Priest River and Sandpoint were we had lunch on the shores of lake Pend Oreille. As I was in this part of the country in 1976-7 when I worked in the Pack River saw mill in Coeur d'Alene.

I have always loved this area. The mountains and lakes are breathtaking. The hydroelectric dams and power plants blend right in with the scenery showing very little environmental impact.

Yesterday, we received a very enthusiastic welcome from the people of the 1st Baptist Church of Newport, who housed us, feed us and like everyone we've stayed with, showed great interest in our ride and the ministries for which we are raising money.

The team is doing very well. All 11 of us, me included, has worked out the initial stiffness in our legs caused by climbing 24,000 feet in five days. Becky is really being a great help in our support van, providing food, water and tools when we need them.

Tomorrow, we cross into Montana were we will be for next 10 days. (It's a big country).

Distance: 59.2 miles
Climb: 1500 ft
Total Time: 5:23
Bike time: 3:59
Ave Speed 14.7mph
Max Speed 41 mph
Calories burned 3000
Overall Distance: 506 miles

Day 7 Colville to Newport

Today was a relatively long day 0f 96 miles. The ride began with a climb out of the valley up in to the high plateau. But is was a beautiful ride through the Twin Lake area and along the Little Pend Oreille River. It is some of the most beautiful country that we've seen. The rolling mountains are covered in trees (Ponderosa Pine, Lodgepole Pine, Douglas Fir, Aspen, Western Red Cedar, White fir).

We went south along the Pend Oreille river and had stiff headwind. One group of riders went as a team and did a fine pace line that got them to Newport at 3:55 p.m. I rolled in 45 minutes later, having enjoyed some scenery at a Forest Service campground as well as 10 minutes of stretching out in the sun.

Total Distance: 96 miles
Total riding time: 6:51
Total time: 8:46
Average Speed 13.9
Total Climb:2912

Over all distance: 447 miles
Over all climb: 22773

Day 6 - Day of Rest in Colville

On Sunday we spent a very nice day with Dee Hokom, Bob Simeone and their daughter Alysson. Colville WA is in a valley surrounded by low forested mountains. In the afternoon Bob took us for an hour ride (just loosen up the muscles).

Our host church, the United Church of Christ of Colville provided a very warm welcome. We worshipped with them on Sunday Morning. Tammy, the pastor led a very good service that showed the love that they have for God and for each other.

Day 5 - Republic to Colville

From Republic it was an 18 mile climb to Sherman Pass ( 5575 ft). The overall climb was 3000 ft. From the top of the pass it was nearly all downhill until the Columbia River. Going up to the pass, we passed through an old forest fire. The trees are coming back in, just like God intended through the seeds from the serotinous cones of the lodge pole pine and other shade intolerant species.
The ride down was through beautiful forested area with a stream running along the road (or I should say the road was built along the stream). We had lunch along the Columbia River and had a very short swim as the water was really cold.

I had to perform a repair on a new generation bottom bracket today. I'd never pulled one apart, but it went back together and adjusted just fine.





Total Distance: 60.11 miles
Total Climb:3672 ft
Total Time: 7:40
Bike Time:
Max Speed: 39. 8 mph
Calories:
Trip Distance: 342 miles
Over all Climbed: 19862 feet

Day 4 - Riverside to Republic WA

Last night in Riverside we were part of a area wide youth event complete with band. We got to tell what we are doing by riding across and America. People were really excited to hear that we are all working to bring the message of Jesus to the young people of Europe and the Middle East. In every town, people have been encouraged by our stories of what God is doing through YFC.

After a good night's sleep in was off again up yet another pass. This makes four passes in three days. Another 3500 ft climb to the top of Wauconda Pass. The scenery is still stunning. Ponderosa pine and sage brush with dry hills all around. Descending from the pass we saw a return to more forests filled with Douglas Fir.

Republic is a historic mining town with a typical western downtown mainstreet.

Total Distance: 55.7
Total Climb: 3500
Total time: 6:06
Bike Time: 4:33
Calories: 3428

Day 3 - Twisp to Riverside

Today we started from Twisp which is on the eastern side of Northern Cascades National Park. The scenery has changed remarkablely from the green lush forests of the Cascades to the semi arid zone of the the northern-mid Washington. It's like being in a cowboy western because we are in the cattle range of Washington. We came through the Colville United Tribes Reservation for native Americans. It's over 1 million acres.

So, it was out of Twisp and up to the Loup Loup Pass (4020). We climbed 3500 feet and then down the into the town of Okanagon and on to the to Riverside where we were well taken care of by the people of New Life Church.

Total Distance: 47.76
Total Climb: 3500 ft
Total Time: 7:30
Calories: 3428

Day 2-Marblemount to Twisp

Today we climbed 7000 feet to cross two passes: Rainy Pass (4400ft) and Washington Pass (5600 ft). It was hard work but great fun. Then there was the exhilarating ride down the other side of the pass... 20 miles down. Another pass tomorrow! And hey no saddle sores. It's all in the shorts.

Everyone is doing well and made it over the pass. That's a good sign for the whole trip.

We passed through a rebuilt "Old West" town called Winthrop yesterday. It inspired "The Virginian. It was like stepping back in time to cowboy days. (There are lots of cowboys here).

We're staying in Twisp, (an Indian word meaning "yellow jacket" ... the wasp). The pastor os Calvary Baptist Church organized our stay and we were very snugg where we staying. Thank you Pastor Smith.

Total Distance: 97.7
Total Time biked: 6h52
Total Climb: 7100 feet
Max speed: 49.7 mph
Calories burned: 7300
Weather: started over cast but became beautiful sunny day.

Day 1 Anacortes to Marblemount

The morning, overcast but dry. After the customary dip of the rear wheel in the Pacific Ocean, we rode out of Anacortes en masse. The terrain was flat until we entered the Skagit River Valley. As we went along the river the terrain rolled and climbed to about 600 FAS (feet above sea level.) The beautiful river valley is surrounded by mountains covered with Western Red Center, spruce, big-leaf maple, ferns and red alder.

The short climb into Marblemount brought us to North Cascade Community Church. The folks of this church gave us a warm welcome. We were fed and housed by people in the chuch. Our host, Lewis and Carol tucked us into their cozy place were we had warm showers. Lewis is great artist and works in all mediums including blue glass wine bottles.

End of the great first day.

Total distance 81.6 miles
Total climb 2200 feet
Calories burned; 5093
Time riding 5h 32

Day 0-Anacortes

We've arrived at Anacortes Washington. This is a beautiful forested island in the northern western part of Washington on the Puget Sound. We're surrounded by the ocean blue waters of the Pacific and the Sound. Fishing boats, sail boats and ocean kayaks/canoes ply the tidal waters of the area. The wind and currents make navigation a real challenge.

The sun is shining and burning off the fog that settles in off the sound. This is an old fishing town that in the 1950's began home to several oil fineries. But more recently , it is popular with retirees from California and people wanting vacation homes.

We're staying with Penny and Bruce Rustad. They are a part of Anacortes Christian Church, who is sponsoring our depart. Thank you Penny and Bruce for taking us around and sharing you home.

Today we assemble our bikes, have our first group meeting for orientation and share our first meal together. Whoa, Paul Bayfield, one our rider just walked...first time I've met him. TTFN.

A Ride Around Lake Forest Park

Becky joined me on Thursday and we stayed at the home of Neil and Jan Nieuwenhuis. They the parents of Peter and Caryn Cornelisse, friends from Westlake. We had a really great time with them. They showed us their warm hospitality, which I'm sure is their gift. We had a great time of fellowship and heard much wisdom from this great Christian couple. Thank you Neil and Jan for a wonderful time!

I got up real early and installed my bike computer and went out for a ride in Lake Forest Park. I rode for about 45 minutes and did 8 miles (now I'm in miles). Hey, it's really hilly here. I did over 900 feet of climbing in only 45 minutes.

I'm now at the Seattle airport where we're picking up other riders for C2C.

Only two days now!

Total Distance : 8.3 miles
Total time: 45 minutes
Total climb: 925
Sunny/partly cloudy
Temp: 55F

Clothes: short sleeve jersey and riding shorts but with a windproof shirt longsleeved shirt under the jersey, long leg warmers and a windproof jacket.

R & E Cycles

I arrived in Seattle six hours late because of storms across the mid-west that caused havoc with my flight. That is story in itself, but I'm not complaining. I pleased with the professionalism of the pilot in dealing with natural flight obstructions. Well done Alaska Airlines.

So, today I'm visiting R & E Cycles, the shop in Seattle that made my Rainier. I'm actually sitting in a Tully's Coffee shop down the street squatting on their free wifi.

My cross country machine is in for it's 1000 mile check: true the wheels (although they don't need truing. The front is as straight as when it arrived and the rear I already trued once), check the joints and the rest of the gear. I'll pick up tires and tubes and spokes for the trip.

It will be a pleasure to meet Scott Rock who guided me through the ordering process.

More about it later.

Home in Urbana

On Tuesday I flew from Geneva to Urbana Illinois to spend a couple of days with my mom. It was nice.  I also visited my father's grave for the first time.  Very emotional.

Now, I'm on my way to Chicago Ohare to fly to Seattle.  I visit R & E Cycles, where I bought my Rainer to have it checkout after it's first 1000 miles, and to pick up tire and tubes.  

Wow, I'm getting excited.  I can't believe it's almost here.  I keep thinking how I'm going to feel in two weeks.  

Last Ride In Switzerland

Today I went out and stretched my legs a little by going from Nyon to Rolle and back. The first half was on the Route du Vignoble. The return was on the Route du lac. There was a moderate "bise" of about 15 kph.

But, after the ride I took the bike a part and put it in it's travel case. It's a pretty slick machine.

Distance: 24.5k
Time: 1h05
Temp: 15 C
Partly Sunny

Total training miles since July 2007: 3325.5 kms, 2078 miles

Nyon-St.Cergue and Back

On an overcast day I squeezed in a mountain climb. Nyon (421m)to St. Cergue (1061m) is about 640 meters but is more because those are a few spots that descend.

Distance: 36m
Time 2h
Temp: 15C (but felt really cold on the way down).

Nyon-Aubonne and Back

A training run to Aubonne and back. Nothing special.

Distance: 36kms
Time 1h25

Cyclotour du Leman

Yesterday I did the Cyclotour du Leman-Mountain loop. This is a "popular" ride (meaning its for anyone) that had four routes. I decided, for training purposes to do the mountain loop (the blue loop). Even through they had provision stops, I used the Rodriguez, with my trunk bag. While it put me at a decided disadvantage with the others who mostly used pure racing/road bikes, I still had a great time.

I rode the 120 kms in 6h30 not including stops. The total climbing was 2000 meters. It had two sections that had about 19% grade...the steepest I've seen.

Feel good this morning.

Total Distance for the day: 130 kms
Total time for the ride: 6h30
Total Climbed: 2000 m
Temperature: 14-22 C

Total ridden since last July : 3229kms / 2018 mi
Total ridden since January : 1819 kms /1130 mi