Great Divide Vacation memories.

So it is now winter.  My last post was on August 1st.  Since I have not been posting anything, but rather riding; I now have a lot to write about, and so will cover it on a few posts.  Hopefully the memory of summer riding will keep me motivated through the blah days of winter and trainer rides.
  

First up Josh and I took another vacation and did several days on the Great Divide Route in Late September.  Very fun, pretty hard and beautiful scenery.

Into the Great Wide Open

My parents were along to drop us off and pick us up and wanted to see the Holland Lake area.   We started with a luxury vacation at Holland Lake Lodge with the folks.

My mom and I looking down on Holland Lake

After Holland lake we got going on our bike trip.  

The first day from Holland Lake to Ovando was pretty easy.  We had been over the route before and so knew what was coming up.  We had good weather and a guaranteed stopping point.

Josh's Bike at the top of Richmond Peak Trail

We rode in the car to Butte from Ovando.   We had done the Ovando to Helena section in June and so decided for various reasons to go to Butte and head out from there.   We were dropped off at the Butte KOA.  It was great!!! We had a KOA cabin so did not have to use the tent.  There is an onsite laundry, showers and fried chicken restaurant..  They also sell beer!

Inside KOA cabin in Butte, Mt

We considered staying all week, but we were there to ride and so headed out early in the am and rode to Polaris.  This day was challenging with lots of climbing.  We went over from Butte on dirt roads with many a cow and popped out onto the freeway.  The route then heads back into the hills and the famous Fleecer Ridge.

Headed up Fleecer cows in background

I am all for using the Adventure Cycling Association maps and cue sheets but Fleecer was one place we would have taken a big wrong turn if not for the GPS.  Well, the GPS and the fact that I was working pretty hard up the hill.  Josh was in front, head up, spinning jauntily along.  I on the other hand was head down, nose inches from the handlebar, grinding away with all my might.  Since my nose was so close to the GPS  I noticed that we needed to take a right hand turn across a meadow.  Josh kept on up the hill and would have continued for miles had I not yelled at him.

Take a right..

The turn is an easy wrong turn to make.  We met another group of riders who were coming down after going about 2 miles extra UPHILL, they were lost and we had to give them directions.  
Down Fleecer is pretty darn steep.  I ended up walking my bike toward the bottom.

Bottom of Fleecer Ridge

From there it was an easy cruise to Wise River.

From Wise River we had a smooth paved ride up and over to Polaris.  They were working on the road and had it closed to cars, but we were able to coast without worries of traffic.

Cruising along the Wise River.

The Grasshopper Inn was a relief.  Delicious food and a warm room.  Apparently not all Divide tourers are considerate as they have a new policy of no bikes in the rooms.  Too much mud and grease.

23 degrees in the am.

From there it was on to Lima (bean).  We started out easily enough, the infamous Bannack road was dry and smooth.  We climbed up the Sheep Creek Divide, and down again without seeing any cars, but we had to do some cow herding.

No mud in September

Top of Sheep Creek Divide

Cycling with the Cows.

Once down to the freeway we thought we had an easy seven miles in to Lima.  Not so.  WIND.  Crazy headwind made those 7 miles take about an hour.  In Lima we stopped and stayed at Jan's Cabins.   Warm, cozy and clean.  We ate dinner at the Peat Bar, of divide movie fame.  We saw the same two guys from the movie in the bar!  The rancher now claims that it is his beef that is served in the bar.  You have to cook your own, but it is good beef!

World Famous Peat Bar..  Home of "cook your own steak"

Next day we headed out across to Mack's Inn.  More WIND!  I am sure I got most of my peck of dirt (and blowing cow poo) in on this day's ride.  But the scenery is gorgeous and we finally made it to Idaho, my home state.

Lima Reservoir

Battling the Headwind

Plenty of Straight... with amazing scenery.

Turned the corner and the wind was at our backs, for about a mile

We stopped at Mack's inn, and I must confess, we stayed over a day.  I had started getting a big nasty saddle sore..  I will not add photos, but it was gross!  Also this was vacation, so we decided to rest.  Of note, there is NO BEER at Mack's Inn or the gas station down by the river.  So after riding all the way from Lima,  Josh had to make a 5 mile beer run up to the highway junction.   After resting my rear end for a day and eating lots of pizza and huge breakfasts we headed out again.

Resting my bum and eating ice cream at Mack's Inn

The next morning we bumped down the ATV ruts on the rails to trails had a short day to Ashton.  We lucked out on the trail, it was raining lightly and the trail was firm and well packed.

Sandy Rails to Trails

Trail becomes better toward the end.

Finish of Rail to Trail, along Warm River near Ashton, Id

After Ashton we stopped riding and went into vacation mode.  On to Yellowstone.  I had not planned to fish, but could not resist the temptation to flyfish on the Firehole river.  So I tested the water proof finish of my biking gear.  With the addition of some trash bags over my socks my Chacos were acceptable wading shoes.  And I caught trout!

Cycling rain gear makes a great flyfishing getup

Firehole River Fishing

We stayed in luxury again at the Old Faithful Inn for a night while in Yellowstone.  Was nice to be inside out of the snow and away from bears.

Early winter snowstorm at Old Faithful

Vintage bear warning sign... Where are the cow warning signs?

All in all it was a great training ride.  Gorgeous country.. I got to test myself with a fully packed bike. I did wimp out and did not camp (it is vacation after all).  Most nights were below freezing and as it was late September it got dark pretty early.

Yellowstone Lake

Ovando Montana... Friendliest Bike Town in the West.

For our 12th anniversary I had planned a romantic getaway of riding our bikes through the carnivore infested back woods of the Flathead River Valley in Canada.  However with our usual impeccable timing we arrived in Sparwood the day the huge rainstorm of 2013 began and the next day the flooding started.  Josh and I were merely inconvenienced and had to change our plans but this was devastating for the residents of the area.  Our best wishes are with the people up there.

Michel Creek outside of Sparwood, BC on the Great Divide Route

Anyway we had to head south for drier riding.  We ended up in Ovando, Montana, and we were glad we did.  The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route goes right through town as does the Lewis and Clark Bicycle Trail. So this was the perfect jumping off point to start our tour.

Ovando Welcomes Cyclists

We rolled into town and fortunately the friendly owners of the Blackfoot Inn rented us a very nice comfortable room and let us park the truck out back while we were away on the tour.  We chose to stay at the Inn in order to dry out, but if you are a cyclist on a budget or just want to camp out you can stay in the historic Hoosegow or the Sheepherder trailer for $5 donation or just camp on the museum lawn for free.  Outdoor portapotty and solar shower are available.

Blackfoot Inn and Store.. Stock up on goodies and stay here

Historic town jail, converted to cyclist lodging.

Sheepherder Trailer, outdoor toilet and solar shower in background.

The next day we headed out on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route to Helena, after a delicious breakfast at the Stray Bullet Cafe.  Highly recommended, but somehow we did not photograph it.  

The ride made for a long day over the great divide three separate times with lots of climbing and descending in just over 100 miles.  We travelled through Lincoln and then no more towns until Helena.  The scenery was interesting, sometimes marred by clear cuts and old mines, but overall quite beautiful.  We did hit some thick mud at the top of one of the divide crossings and of course I crashed in it, but no serious damage other than a beautiful bloody wound so on we went.  

Headed out toward the mountains

The bottom of S.Fork Poorman Creek

Beautiful riding, but clouds mean rain.

  

Wide open country closer to Helena

We ended up in Helena and were longing to get back to Ovando.  We stayed on the outskirts of town and so did not explore much.   Bright and early we headed back making a loop partially on pavement and partially on the GDMBR to Ovando.   Still 100 miles but less climbing so we had more time for photos and picnicking.  

We took it easy on the way back,  Picnic time at the top of Poorman Creek

Once there the Inn was closed and two other groups were in town so we pitched our tent on the lawn.

We were hungry once we arrived and so headed to Trixie's.  Just the place to refuel and relax after a day's riding.  The restaurant and bar is at the west end of town on a hill near the highway.  A short walk or ride from camp.  Again no photos, I guess it is hard to remember to snap a photo when you are hungry.

Our third day was a loop up to Seeley Lake and back on the GDMBR.  More beautiful riding. 

 We also saw many tracks of the racers who had come through a few days earlier.  

We had a great time in Ovando and found it had all we needed to start and end a tour.  The local fly shop also carries a few basic cycling supplies.  Overall highly recommended as a cycling destination or a stop off on a tour.  

Red Devil Challenge Run

Well,  I have not been blogging much as it is summer and I have been out riding, running and gardening, not to mention work and all the other business of life.  I did want to do a post on the Red Devil Trail Run, even though it was back in June.

Anyone who is also a runner out there might really enjoy the Red Devil, just outside of Cashmere.  This year they added the option of a 10K or a 1.5K kids run to the 25K.

Map of the race... A great trail run just for fun too!

My sister and I did the 25K again, but we were most proud of the fact that we talked my mom into starting running.  I can't ever remember her going out for a run and prior to this year she had never entered a race.  We did a lot of fast talking and got her signed up and trained up.  She completed the 10K run in 1:36:10.  In addition to meeting her goals of finishing in less than 2 hours and not coming in last place she managed to lose 15 lbs and counting by running it off.  Over all she feels better and has more energy, and all of this at the age of 65!  She just proved that it is never too late to start!

Charlene and Mom discussing last minute strategy before the race.

I competed in the 25K again this year.  I was a bit disappointed at being slower than last year, but I learned a bit about race strategy and will be better prepared next time.  My first excuse or failure was in training.  I have been focused on biking this year and have not been running enough.   I did go out and run the course and did some long runs but I hate speed work and so did not do much (well any speed work really).  In addition I made some mistakes on race day.  I think I did not eat enough prior to the race, breakfast was a good 2 hours before and I skipped the free snacks at the start.

Charlene at MilePost 111 the meet up place for the race.  Note the goodies that I did not eat. 

I then started out way too fast chasing some people uphill.  I was trying to keep up and just burned out all of my energy too early.   I missed the first aid station and so was running out of water and calories by the time I made it to the 2nd.  Too late!! I felt nauseated and bonkish on the last section of the race.  I did learn how to push through and was quite proud of my 8th place (for women) finish, and hope to move up next time.    All in all it was a great race and we had fun and a well deserved post race beer at Milepost 111 in our Red Devil pint glasses.

Finishers!  

I confess that the photos are not up to the usual standard but that is because Josh was not there.  He is the family photographer, and I was gasping for air and so did not take any photos of the trail.

Knitting in the Woods

So as I watch everyone line up for the Tour Divide race I am starting to feel a bit nervous.  I am still in the planning stages and who knows what will happen in a year, but right now I am planning to race the divide myself.  I have no delusions that I will win or beat Eszter Horanyi's amazing time, but I still want to do it.  I am fighting for the Lanterne Rouge.  I think I have a pretty good shot at it.

I am overwhelmed by all the planning and prepping.  I am attempting to become a bike mechanic, fast bike rider, to improve my endurance, learn to use a Garmin (arrgh, another topic all together)  and so on and so forth.  Still I have been neglecting one bit of the planning, what to knit on the divide?

Polebridge Knitting

So for all you fast racer types,  you may wonder what knitting has to do with anything, but it is important.  I mean for one's mental health.

I have been on many a backpacking, skiing and more lately bikepacking trips.  The same thing always happens.  You get to camp, get it set up and then what...  Too tired to explore around, need to go to sleep and yet....  There are things that go bump in the night, or worse they snuffle through your camp and then decide to chomp on you!  In the dark of the backcountry a little mouse becomes a bear sneaking up on you.... his jaw opening... sharp pointy teeth!!




Enter knitting.   Light weight, portable, and keeps your mind occupied.  Who can worry about bears and cougars when you have to get to the end of the round and keep the pattern straight on the lace socks you are knitting?  And if you need to fall asleep just knit a few rows in straight stockinette stitch and you will soon be in dreamland

Knitting can also be useful in the day light hours.  When boredom of riding that I have read so much about sets in you can dream up a new pattern.  Or solve that tricky problem of turning the heel, or how to make the cable on the hat look better and so on and so forth.

I have knitted in some beautiful spots, and when I get home I have a great souvenir of where I have been.  Wearing the item, or in some cases just looking at it and wondering why I made such a strange garment will bring back trip memories.

I plan to squeeze in some knitting on the divide.  I imagine that I will not have much time and will be too exhausted to worry about the bears etc.  However a few stitches here and there will be a much needed respite I am sure.   I am working out a pattern for some Divide Socks or maybe a Divide Hat, and when I get home a Lanterne Rouge sweater.. we will see.

Hat inspired by Cascade Mountains

I highly recommend knitting to all outdoorspersons with overactive imaginations.  Soothing, complicated enough to make you forget about predators and tedious enough to help you fall asleep.  Best of all when you get home you have a lovely new garment to wear on your next adventure.

Hand Knit Hats are Handy

"Knit on with confidence and hope through all crisis"   Elizabeth Zimmerman.

Jones H Bar Review

I have been riding the Jones H bar for about 3 months now and I think I will give an initial review.  I have to say that I think it is fantabulous.    I have logged several hundred miles with the handlebar.  No tours as of yet, so I will have to update once I have taken it out fully loaded.  I have ridden it for a long ride of over 7 hours, and in a variety of conditions including paved road, gravel and dirt roads and single track.

I have a personal mechanic (Josh), who put it on my Salsa Fargo small frame.  The bike is actually designed for a drop bar and has shorter top tube than a standard MTB.  I had to go with a 90 mm stem.  I am pretty short at only 5'4".  The backsweep of the bar makes it important to take your time fitting a proper stem length depending on your frame design.  On a standard mountain bike with a longer top tube I do not think this would be an issue at all.  To complete the set up I added Grip Shift Attack 9 speed shifters and Paul Love Lever 2.5 brake levers.  I also put on  Ergon GP1 short grips.  I wrapped the bar in some beautiful green Salsa cork tape.

Once set up it was time to ride.  Being a smaller rider I was a bit concerned about riding a 29er.   The H bar is nice and wide, 660 mm wide at the widest.  I find the wide bar gives me lots of control and leverage to crank up hills and descend in tight corners on technical single track.  The bar has lots of hand positions but I noticed that on more technical types of terrain I spend most of the time with my hands in the widest position on the Ergon grips at the ends of the bar.  This position gives the most control.    On smoother or flatter sections I like to take advantage of all the other positions.  I can stretch out my hands and fingers in the loop or ride in an almost aero position on the front of the loop.  The front position is also great for stretching out your back.

The super snazzy loop shape also is great for attaching all your bike gizmos to the bar.  So far I have only my computer on the bike but even with my front bedroll attached I still have plenty of space for aero bars, gps, lights and what have you.

The drawbacks of the bars are that they are a little bit on the portly side at 502 gm according to the Jones website.  I think the weight reflects the durability of the bar.  It seems to be extremely well made with nice smooth welds and feels like it will never break.  I don't notice the extra weight while riding.  The other potential drawback is the sweep of the bar leaves your brake levers a bit exposed during a crash.  I purposely left the levers a bit loose so they move rather than bend in a fall.  So far have only fallen on soft mud (knock wood), but the arrangement worked well and the lever moved but no damage done.

All in all I would highly recommend this bar to anyone looking for a mountain bike bar with lots of hand positions and space to hang all your doodads and gear.   In fact it is the only bar so far that has actually tempted Josh to consider changing out his beloved Salsa Woodchipper drop bar.   I am excited to take it on a tour in a couple of weeks and see how it fares in the long haul.  Will keep you posted.

Update:

I have now gone on a tour with this bar and I love it!   We rode from Ovando, Mt to Helena and back, then up to Seeley Lake on the Great Divide route and other roads.   I did put on aerobars, but really I think they are overkill unless you are doing a whole bunch of riding on flat roads.  I hardly used them.

I attached my front roll with the Revelate Sling.  I won't be using the sling again as I found that it works just as well to use the Revelate pocket and straps around the Jones Bar.  The bike handled well with the load on the bar and it did not get in my way.

I didn't have any numb hands, cramps or back pain.  I stretched my fingers, my electronics were all attached and stayed that way.  I crashed in the mud and rocks on the top of the Great Divide and my brake levers stayed intact.  Overall I am super happy with the bar and plan to keep using it.


Update 7/30/2014:

Valerie Completed the 2014 Tour Divide race with her Jones Loop H-bar in a finishing time of 27 days and several hours.  The 3rd place female finisher of the Grand Depart.  Bravo Valerie!  The Jones bar continues to be a perfect match for her Salsa Fargo.

The Bear Song

So I have developed a bear song to repel bears while I ride my bicycle through the woods.  I am not sure that the song in itself is repellant but my voice certainly is.  The song is also good for passing time on the bike as I can't usually remember all the words and have to make up new ones as I go.

Here is the basic song.  You should adjust it to fit your own bike and situation.  I yell the lines in capitals.   Make up your own tune.  I usually sing out of tune

You are a very big bear ...BIG BEAR!
I think its not very fair ...NOT FAIR!  (Continue repeating the last two words of each line by yelling them through the rest of the song)

I am real small and real tough
I think you'll find me quite rough

My bike is made out of steel..
I know you'll not like the feel

Of biting down on the frame
You'll only have you to blame

When you break all of your teeth
It will cause you so much grief.

I have some pepper bear spray
You'd better just stay far away

So thanks for letting me through
And I won't be bothering you.



I have seen about four bears while riding my bike; all been black bears.  No grizzlies yet,  I think it will work, however as I have seen grizzly tracks, but no bears while singing.  During our Tour Divide Tour I sang this song very loudly while going up and down Richmond Peak.

I know there were bears in the area as we saw the tracks and also the trigger safety from someone's bear spray.  Josh swears he smelled pepper and he was sneezing a lot.

I am also afraid of cows on my bike.  We had a mean heifer when I was a kid.  She liked to kick and butt people.  I am working on a cow song.  Will consider posting it when finished.