There is a lot of snow in the passes, but nonetheless, yesterday’s weather made the runoff-covered roads not so bad as a select group of friends and myself rode from Lolo to the Pass, 33 miles uphill. I actually went on into Idaho deeper so that I could do my annual ride up the pass on the NW Passage Scenic Byway.
Ross took a half-hour head start while I waited for Bill S. to arrive at the meeting spot. The day was marvelous, and the usual wind coming down the valley was pretty much calm. It was a beautiful day with sunshine and great temperatures. This was the first ride since before Thanksgiving that I have done without a jacket. I heard rumors that it may have reached the upper 50s yesterday.
We found Ross pedaling away at Lolo Hot Springs, then at the chain-up area before the actual climbing began Bill S. stopped for some grub… I took on the climb in hopes of dashing my previous record of … hmmm … well, I know I have never done it in under 2.5 hours (stats). So I topped out at about 2 hours even if not a couple of minutes over (time was not accurate because of the riding around I did waiting for the ride to start).
I refreshed, ate a snack, and bombed down the Idaho side. I paused at the bottom for some great views and snapped off a couple of photos. I was such a tourist! After taking it all in, I hammered out the climb, which did not take long either.
I set off on a tempo ride back to Lolo where I just caught up to Bill S. as he was driving away at the parking lot. He reported a great first ride of the season. Not long, I arrived at Ross’s house to discover that Ross had a great day and hammered out the 66 miles in style. For me, I had cycled 78.9 miles in all and felt pretty fresh at just 4 hours and 15 minutes in the saddle. A great ride!
Next week! Training Camp at Lake Como … anybody want to come?
The content reflects a deep passion for cycling, endurance challenges, and the spirit of adventure. It’s inspiring to see individuals push their limits and embark on such extraordinary journeys. The dedication and determination of the participants shine through in these engaging narratives.
If you’re a cycling enthusiast, these links will provide you with a wealth of information about challenging biking routes, personal achievements, and the incredible spirit behind these adventures.
Citations:
[1] https://www.adventurecycling.org/resources/blog/one-big-circle-the-first-90-degrees/
[2] https://williammartin.com/mountain-biking/the-rmvq/
[3] https://www.ridethehiawatha.com/the-trail
[4] https://www.komoot.com/guide/44269/road-cycling-routes-in-montana
On this day in history, ‘Hey Zeph! Want an Action Wipe?‘ I asked, after cleaning the blood from my shin.
— Saved by a Package, 2013
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