There was a big hill after an early start for us, something that was to be the regime of the trip. A big hill to start the day off with. It was very hot and we saw very little traffic as we traveled down past Swan Lake. It was 116F in the sun at 4pm.
Something I was to only understand later that even though you are in the forested Rocky Mountains the roads are largely open and without ready shade.
We did find some shade and sat in it from 2 to 4pm. We arrived at the campsite after a long downhill around 6pm. The campgrounds were heavy with mosquitos! I was very tired and there was too much heat! We had chili for dinner.
Todays stats;
Riding time 5.02.16
average spd 7.4mph
max spd 27.2
distance 37.3mi.
total distance 322.7mi.
ascent 5360ft
total asc 24,500ft
Sunday 7-13-2003 Cedar Creek to Holland Lake
We broke camp early to try to beat the heat. You have to backtrack up the hill to the turn off for the route which we had passed on yesterdays downhill. So we rode up and took the first left.
After riding a ways the route sheet and the landmarks did not line up and there were no other bicycle tracks so we knew we were lost! I turned on the Garmin Legend gps I had brought with the topo maps downloaded for just this situation.
We found that we had ridden 4.5 miles out of our way towards Shay Lake!
First we tried to find a way thru on the old logging roads but the one we wanted had a deep gully in it. So we went back to the downhill and climbed up to the proper turn. All in all we lost one and a half hours of valuable "cool" time!
Today turned out to be cloudy with good loong climbs and our first singletrack in the Mission Mountains. Very pretty country and Holland Lake is very nice. We had dinner and went to the Lodge for our first huckleberry soda. The campgrounds were pretty full with RV's and trailers everywhere.
The lodge is expensive back then the filet migion was $22 and Elk medallions 24. To stay there was $95.00 per person per night, but included breakfast and dinner.
Travel time 6.19.03
average spd 7.5
max spd 24.8
dist 47.8
total dist 370.5
climb 3,780ft
total climb 28,100
Monday 7-14-2003 Holland Lake to Seely Lake
It was cool in the morning and after our oatmeal breakfast we headed off. Going along the western edge next to "The Bob", The Bob Marshall Wilderness. At around 10 miles we came to a turn off for Clearwater Lake, It was a short distance off the road down a great singletrack. The lake is exqusite!
We saw deer and loons and wood ducks. Taking to opportunity of the fresh water and isolation we elected to rinse our laundry for the day.
About 3 miles later we started the climb of the day a 5.5mile climb in granny first gear up a beautiful canyon, in the warm sun. We pumped(filtered) water about half way up and drank plenty, it felt good to be riding smart!
After the climb the trail winds along the eastern side of Richmond Peak above Grizzly Basin. This part is double track and becomes single track on the downhill end. We had to cross downed trees and landslides.
The trail is rocky and with close in vegetation. I had my first flat tyre after crossing a downed tree.
Downhill thru Grizzly Basin was the best I've ever done! It has beauty and speed with intermediate to beginner skill level. We saw no griz but did stop to scope out a herd of elk on the opposite side of the basin. At the end of the single track back to the road and we found that Lynn had lost her lock and cable, the one she had had 20 years since high school!
Another couple doing the Divide caught us here Sean and Mimi, both were pulling B.O.B.'s like mine.
We screamed down the fireroad and the top part of my flag came out unknown to me. Lynn also missed seeing it. As I waited for her at a senic overlook I noticed it was missing....Mimi found it and when they caught up to us there she gave it back.
Lynn was tired today, We rode into Seely lake and had fig newtons and gatorade and did some food shopping for the next couple of days. I had a burger and fries and called the kids for the first time in a week.
Riding time 6.00.49
avg spd 6.8
max spd 29.4
dist 41.1mi
total dist 412.8mi some miles in town and camp
today climbing 3,760ft
total climb 31,700ft
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