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I finally made it over Marias Pass. It is a bit different from the 4 passes we crossed in WA. More gradual climb and no long descent on the other side. Truthfully, I was a bit disappointed that the Continental Divide wasn’t a bigger deal.

12 miles or so after the pass you roll into East Glacier. Totally different from the much more rugged and forested West Glacier which we passed through yesterday.

The rivers are now flowing the same direction as I’m riding. Water flows downhill so I’ve got that going for me…which is nice.

Bison are really big critters.

This type of geography is what I’ll be seeing for the next 1000 miles or so. Long straight stretches with rolling hills.

Less than 24 hrs ago we were on the other side of those mountains. A bit difficult to comprehend.

We’ll be crisscrossing the Lewis & Clark Trail many times over the next couple weeks. If you’re interested in Lewis & Clark, I would highly recommend reading Undaunted Courage. Great book.

Rolled into Cut Bank mid-afternoon. It was not as easy riding on the plains as I expected. Crosswind most of the afternoon. Felt like it was trying to blow my tires out from under me.

I really have no idea what to expect now. It definitely won’t be as easy as I had hoped/imagined.

There’s only one way to find out and that’s to…

Ride on.

Just Pete

I am tenting at an RV park 7 miles short of the summit of the pass. Normally it would really bother me that I didn’t get over the top today when that was my goal. The logistics of where to stay got a bit complicated so I kind of had to stop short.

Kris gave me a little talk about smelling the roses along the way. Not usually my specialty but there was lots to see today so kind of easy to do.

Had a great breakfast and was on the road by 8:30, heading to Glacier National Park.

Gerty and I were in peak form this morning. We were so locked in that I missed a turn and went 2.5 miles out of way and then had to retrace those miles. Didn’t even phase me!

We rode up to the West entrance to Glacier and then followed Hwy 2 on the southern edge of the park for 50 miles.

The scenery was so incredible it almost makes me sad to be leaving the mountains. Emphasis on the almost!

It was a pretty steady climb most of the day. Usually not inhumanly steep.

I realized that once I crossed the pass I would have 13 miles to East Glacier. People had told me that rooms are scarce and very expensive if available.

I decided the smart thing to do would be to get as close to summit as I could and cross in AM so I could ride right through East Glacier.

I knew what I was looking for. Small bar/restaurant that would let me pitch my tent in the back.

After 61 miles, I found the perfect spot. Went in the bar and bartender immediately asked if I’d like a water. Was it that obvious?

Chatted with a couple sitting at the bar who were from Fargo and asked bartender if I could pitch my tent in back. No go. They are having a big outdoor party tomorrow and setting up tonight. Bummer!

He told me about RV Park a mile up the road and here we are.

I want to thank everyone for your continuous support. This has been hard enough. It makes it so much more enjoyable knowing that I have a large group of people wishing me nothing but the best and pulling for me every day. I really can’t thank you enough.

I feel really good. Fingers are slightly better. Legs are strong. And Gerty is in great shape. Now let’s just hope for no big headwinds when I get out of mountains.

I think I’m pretty close to being on schedule to make Bristol, SD on July 8. It’s 13 days and a bit over 1,000 miles. I think I can…I think I can!

Ride on.

Just Pete

Rainy and cool this AM. Got to my breakfast spot 2 miles down the road at 8:30. Of course they didn’t open until 9. Learned my lesson yesterday so I sat on step and waited. They must have felt sorry for me because they let me in and took my order 10 minutes early.

Saw this family of turkeys. It’s much more difficult to take pics biking vs hiking. Gotta stop. Get phone out of holder on handlebars. Takes enough time that I missed father of family, Tom, a hundred yards later.

Over the last 10 days I’ve met 7 people riding the Northern Tier to Maine or Connecticut. I have been playing leap frog with 3 young ladies (Gus, Alex, and June). Today we stopped for a break at same place and had a good conversation about numb fingers, etc. Gus is riding to Maine. Alex and June have to be in CT to start med school at UConn in late August. Good luck, ladies!!

I got “smoked” twice today. Truck pulls up alongside and then steps on gas leaving me wallowing in a cloud of black smoke. Pretty sure one was unintentional but the other was flat out mean.

Felt much better today. My fast twitch muscles must be in good shape because I can go far and fast on flats. Slow twitch muscles (uphill) still need some work.

I was still feeling good through Whitefish (56 miles). This is Whitefish ski area.

After that…not so great. I had heard thunder behind me for about a half hour and it was gaining on me.

See the rain in left hand side of pic? Yeah, that caught me. Road 6 miles in cold, pouring rain. Rain was like needles. Hit my phone hard enough that it was manipulating screen. Thought it was hailing for a while.

By the time I got to outskirts of Columbia Falls I was drenched and really cold. Stopped in a small tavern to try to warm up a bit.

Big rodeo in town this weekend so I was lucky to get a room. Hot shower felt really good.

Tomorrow is a big day. 62 miles to get over pass at Continental Divide. Wish me luck!

Ride on.

Just Pete

Some days ya got it. Some days ya don’t. Today was definitely a don’t.

I had a not great breakfast at hotel. Couple bagels. Someone had told me there was a good breakfast spot 6 or 7 miles up the road. Unfortunately I didn’t see it or a miscommunication on road I would be on.

We headed north following Lake Koocanusa.

Most of the time we were in the foothills a couple hundred feet above the lake.

Rolling ups and downs. Nothing too steep but some long ups.

After about 20 miles I was already getting tired and I needed something to eat…besides beef jerky and protein bars.

Fortunately I came to a marina with a restaurant 5 miles later. Unfortunately it was a mile off the road and all downhill. I didn’t have much choice so I coasted down.

Restaurant didn’t open until 30 minutes after I got there so I took a little nap on their deck. Got something to eat, sat around for a bit, and then had to pedal back up to road.

I left there at 1PM. Felt a bit stronger and started pedaling. Unsure of how far/where I would get to.

If you think these pics all look like the same body of water, it’s because they are. Followed Lake Koocanusa for 55 miles. The lake is scenic but I was pretty tired of it!

The last 15-20 miles, I was toast. I could hardly pedal in low gear on the flats. Lots of stops to get enough energy/strength to make it another mile or 2.

I must have looked pretty bad as I stopped near top of last hill before Eureka. 2 vehicles stopped to make sure I was OK. Probably wasn’t but told them I was.

I coasted down and struggled up a small hill to town. As good as I felt yesterday at the end of the day was how bad I felt today. Physically drained.

Tomorrow I will get close to Glacier National Park. One more pass (Continental Divide) on Friday, then it’s all downhill.

Ride on.

Just Pete

Either the day off yesterday was huge or the terrain today was pretty easy. Truth is somewhere in between. I felt great and it was a long stretch of rolling hills.

Dennis and I left Sandpoint at about 8:15AM.

We followed Lake Pend Oreille to the Clark Fork River.

We had made plans to meet friends of Dennis and Cindy for lunch about 1:00. They were 40 miles away so I had some doubt as to whether we could make it that far. That doubt was erased when we finished the first 27 miles in an hour and 45 minutes.

State #3. Pretty sure it will be quite a while in Montana!

When Cindy met up with us at 1PM, we were nearly 15 miles past the original meeting spot for lunch. 53 miles in less than 4 hours…that’s progress!

I decided it would be too much of a hassle to shuttle back 15 miles for lunch and then get shuttled back.

So…it was time to bid adieu to my riding partner of 510 miles. I can’t tell you how important and helpful it was for me to have Dennis along. I’d probably still be puttsing along through those passes right now if not for him. Thanks Dennis and Cindy for your hospitality, support, and companionship the past 10 days

Just Gerty and me now. There were a couple camping spots around the 60-65 mile point but I still felt good so I pushed past there.

Figured I could make the next town, Troy, and have nearly 80 miles done. Troy turned out to be a couple miles (uphill) off the route. Heck, I could probably make it to Libby. Go for it!

I can’t say the last 15 miles were easy but I can say this is the best I’ve felt at the end of a day. Hoping I feel that way in the AM!

Ride on.

Just Pete

P.S. from Dennis…

“Pete” thanks for allowing me to tag along with you for the first 500 miles of your awesome adventure! Very inspirational that you would attempt 4800 miles and was impressive how hard you worked to get over those passes! As your very unofficial nutritional coach I will allow you to continue drinking your Coke, Mountain Dew and Buds as long as you drink a lot of water and eat good meals, protein and complex carbs so you don’t “Bonk” part way through the day! We saw some beautiful scenery, you missed some of it with your head down grinding and we kept each other safe! It was a great 10 days.
Thanks Again, Dennis 😎

I’m hoping a day of rest is what I need to get through this last 300 miles of mountains.

I sent a couple of items home. Rain pants…didn’t even wear them in the cold rain on day 1. Long sleeve shirt for cold. Had 2. Thinking I’ll have more issues with heat than cold.

Got rid of 2-3 lbs of “stuff”. Might not sound like much but it all makes a difference.

Got Gerty a check-up at bike shop. They thought she was looking good.

Dennis is planning to ride about 45 miles with me tomorrow AM then he will be done. He’s been a huge help mentally and physically. He’s helped everywhere from posture on the bike to nutrition. I will certainly miss his support.

We’ll find out tomorrow how this zero day helped.

Ride on.

Just Pete

“There is no such thing as an easy day”. Dennis Peterson, circa June 20, 2021.

True dat!! The next time you hear me say “tomorrow should be an easy day”, please slap me upside the head.

It started off great. 25 lbs less gear on the bikes. Gerty was loving it and we were rolling!

It was longish, kinda gentle ups and downs but we were slack packing. I was spending as much time in high gear as I had in low gear through the passes. This was fun!

Cruising along the Pend Oreille River. Just a slight breeze into us.

Then 50% of us saw this. It’s a long story. I’ve heard it was pretty awesome.

We even got cold, crystal clear water straight from the side of the mountain. Trust me…the best. Especially when you just cranked out 22 fun miles in an hour and a half. Maybe biking could possibly be fun?

This couple loves the water so much that they come after church and fill up gallon jugs. I’m talking 100 gallons…minimum. Pretty sure next time you buy a water at a convenience store, I know where it came from.

We rolled across the river into Newtown, WA and had some fries at McD’s. 32 miles in 2:15. It was there things changed. Obviously, not for the better.

I had expected us to ride 60 miles. At Newton I realized it was 66 miles and we had 34 left…not 28. Bad to celebrate before halftime.

We did cross into Idaho. That was good. Only about 14 (not sure) more states to go. And WA was HARD.

That 34 miles took 4 hours. Wind, long (not gentle) hills, hot. Terrible. Why am I doing this moment(s). This is the last mile plus.

456 miles and 5 passes in 8 days. That’s quite a bit for a novice biker. And I have 300 miles of mountains to go.

Cindy and Dennis offered/politely recommended I take a day off at their cabin before those climbs. I hadn’t even considered it but I accepted fairly quickly.

I feel good. My legs are much stronger. It’s hard to ride in the saddle for 8 hrs but I know I can do it. I’m hoping day off makes next 300 miles a tad bit easier.

Ride on.

Just Pete

P.S. Thanks for the Buds!!

We are somewhere. Somewhere nice. Cindy drove 60 miles to pick us up alongside the road and bring us to their cabin in Sandpoint, ID. Shower, laundry, great dinner, and several Budweisers! Talk about trail magic!

Today was one of our easier days thus far. Pretty good climb for half the day but it wasn’t ridiculously steep like the passes.

Took a little more time to check out the scenery like this waterfall.

If you have followed along with me before, you know one of my favorite things is a chair with a back. Check. Also notice the helmet hair. 3 basically corn rows that are starting to become a regular thing…even post-shower. Maybe if I carried a comb that would help.

Probably should have had a Budweiser in hand but when you have 30 more miles of riding to do, it’s really not prudent. Look at me, I may be becoming an adult!

We have been taking pics of American flags along the way. I plan on a bonus edition for July 4th of flags on display like this. I think it will be kind of cool.

We stopped today with 60 miles left to Sandpoint. Those 60 miles should be relatively easy because we’ll be slack packing. Cindy will drive us out to where she picked us up this afternoon. Our saddle bags will stay at cabin because we’ll be back there tomorrow afternoon.

This will give me a good indication of how my bike legs are. Before leaving FL, I didn’t ride with the 25 lbs of weight on the back that I’ve had for past week. Curious to see the difference as I won’t have them tomorrow. Pretty sure it will be significant.

If I failed to mention, the cabin is pretty nice!!

Fingers are still a bit odd. Not much strength in them at end of day. Had trouble plugging my charger into phone this evening. Mostly my right hand. Fortunately I’m right handed. It’s also the predominant brake hand when flying down hills.

Hoping to crush the remaining 60 miles in time to watch most of US Open final round.

Ride on.

Just Pete

The morning got off to a great start. Breakfast and it was only 2 miles away!

As we were preparing to hit the mountain, we met Bob, “The Candy Man”. He bicycled here from Sioux City, IA about 50 years ago and never rode back.

Another tough climb. 3,000’ in 15 miles. That’s 200’/mile. When hiking I think 500’ of elevation gain/mile is tough. Hiking up hill is definitely easier than biking up but I’ll take the flats and downhills on bike. Much faster!

We reached the summit of our 5th pass in 4 days. Sherman Pass at 5575’ is the highest so far. Have I mentioned that I’ve had enough of these?

From there it was downhill…mostly. We descended down and crossed the Columbia River.

We made it to Colville late afternoon and got luxury accommodations at the Stevens County Fairgrounds.

I noticed this evening that my fingers weren’t functioning properly. Struggled to cut a burrito with a knife. Had to hold in palm of hand and saw. Also had difficulty holding a toothbrush in fingers. Weird. Guessing it’s something to do with having to hold on to brakes continuously on long downhills. It definitely tires your hands out.

We’re about 120 miles from Dennis and Cindy’s cabin in Sandpoint, ID. Expecting to be there Sunday early enough to watch end of US Open. Wish us luck!

Ride on.

Just Pete

Team Gerty went big today. Got to where we hoped to get but it was way harder than I anticipated. Had to deal with another one of those things that starts with p and ends with ass. Have I mentioned that I’m really tired of those things.

Today started pretty poorly. The casino had a great breakfast menu that Dennis and I dreamt about. Problem…not open today. Devastating!

Then our navigator (me) missed not 1, but 2, turns getting out of town. 4 “bonus” miles.

Next town on the route was small and had nothing. We had no choice but to head to Tonasket. Then our luck started to change. Road construction. 1 lane with a pace car. The road crew loaded our bikes in the back of a truck and drove us 3 miles to end of 1 lane stretch. That took care of 3 of the “bonus” miles.

As soon as we arrived in Tonasket (32 miles in), we spotted Shannon’s. Breakfast we’d been searching for and the nicest people. They get lots of cyclists stopping there. It was great!

We left Tonasket about noon for Republic. 41 miles. 27 of those uphill to Wauconda Pass. Loupy Loupy was no joke joke yesterday and Wauconda was as difficult.

It was pretty hot and my water was so warm it was like drinking sand! We spotted a little restaurant a couple miles from summit. Unfortunately it has been closed for a while. We could see an ice cream machine through the window. That was a mean tease!

A couple more miles of brutal climb and we reached the summit. That’s 4 passes summitted in 3 days. Don’t try that at home.

We (primarily me) were exhausted and still had 14 miles to go. It’s usually downhill all the way from the summit. Of course, not this time. Definitely downhill but a couple of big ups thrown in to torture us.

We finally made it to Republic about 6:30PM. I am really tired and will sleep well.

Dennis thinks this first week will be the toughest part of trip. I REALLY hope he’s right. I can’t do much tougher.

One more big pass tomorrow and that will be the last for a few days.

Ride on.

Just Pete