Up at 6am. Felt good sleeping on the cot last night vs the ground. Had a hard time getting to sleep with the noise from kids and adults playing and talking in adjacent campsites, but things finally got quite around 11pm.
43 degrees this morning. Looks to be a nice day.
Rode 1/2 mile to the lodge and had breakfast. Wanted to sit there in the warm building, but forced myself to get on the bike and head out after a 3rd cup of coffee. 7:45 on the road heading out of the wind tunnel (Wyoming) to Idaho.
9:30 AM 18.7 miles in couple miles from
The Yellowstone entrance I took a left. Four years ago on the same day I rode through Yellowstone, this time I’m going around it to the south west instead of through it. I’ll be off road on gravel this time instead of riding payment through the park. It was pretty cool inside Yellowstone but riding a bike on the road through Yellowstone is not something I’d recommend, so I’m happy to be taking this detour.
10:25 AM 24 miles and I’m traveling down a gravel road, deep pine forest on each side and just had a young grizzly bear jump out of the trees and onto road about 30 feet in front of me. It looked at me then took off in the opposite direction. I didn’t get my phone out in time to get it on camera—was too busy grabbing my bear spray and making sure the lock was off. I laid my bike over, got my bear spray out, and after about 5 minutes I walked down the road a bit in the direction it was going to see if it was still in the road and to make sure that mama bear wasn’t following.
Is wasn’t a huge bear. I’m no bear expert, but look like maybe around six months-year-old so it wasn’t my major concern. It was small enough that I was concerned that momma may be following and would appear out of the trees at any time. After about 10 minutes being off the bike with bear spray in hand, I got back on the bike and cycled past the spot where it came out of the woods. After that I made sure to make a lot of noise—still have at least 30 miles in the thick pine forrest and haven’t seen anyone out here all morning.
12:06 PM 35 miles in coming down off the top of a big climb. About over my bear paranoia now. Stopping to have a snack and take a little bit of a break. Nice morning cool breeze good riding all day.
1:46 PM 49.4 miles in just finished a lot of miles of washboard Road. I’m really getting tired of this washboard. When this is over I think I’m gonna start referring to this as the Great Washboard Divide mountain bike route. Not sure where I’m gonna stay tonight yet. Hopefully I’ll come out of this into place that at least has a gas station or something and then I can sit down and plan. I did crossover into Idaho a few miles back, no signs on these back roads but I can see on my map I’m in Idaho. So long Wyoming. if I ever see you again it won’t be on a bicycle.
3:42 PM and 64 miles in and got to the bottom of a big decent and was supposed to turn right and go through a park to get to Island Park. But they closed the entrance to the park and won’t let anyone go through. The ranger said that there was a huge black bear came through last night and tore down someone’s tent. Nobody got hurt but, said the park is close until they’re sure the bear has left the area. So I’m having to turn around and take a detour adding about 10 miles to my route. But, that’s ok. I don’t want to be wrestling a black bear or a grizzled.
6:10 PM and finally made it to Island Idaho. Got a room at the River Lodge Cabins. $119 for a cabin vs camping in grizzly country—I’ll take the cabin and call it a bargain. From this point on, I’ll only camp if I have to.
The only gas station in town is closed for the 4th, but o did grab dinner at the Anglers Lodge Restaurant. Trout, baked potato, mixed vegetables, ice tea, and Coors. Bought two Coors and a diet tea to take to my room.
Long day, but feeling good. Glad to have a comfortable room and shower for the night—I must of had an inch of dust and dirt on me from the dirt and gravel roads today.
pics:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/t826ahevm4692u7/AABQXD8kNRehzQld672D9zIOa?dl=0
