Cycle Across America – Day 17

Kooskia to Lochsa Lodge – The Long and Winding Road

65 miles / 2352ft climb

The brief for today couldn’t have been any simpler. Turn right out of our lodge, follow Highway 12 along the Lochsa river and keep pedalling for 65 miles along this long and winding road.

It was almost as easy as it sounds. The riverside route was simply stunning both visually and audibly with the sound of the river a constant companion throughout the day. This combined audiovisual treat helped the miles pass within my comfort zone today, including the very gradual incline that was with us most of the day. My cycling felt strong and it was a joy to cycle as a group with the others and to feel that I was keeping pace.

The road was variable, lovely stretches with wide freshly tarmacced shoulders but there were areas where the shoulders all but disappeared and we had to be vigilant for the occasional tanker that fleetingly would distract me from my idyllic surroundings. The road was relatively quiet, the drivers on the whole courteous.

Jim and Denise took it in turns to drive the truck and to cycle with us. We are being spoilt by frequent roadside stops where food, drink and good company await.

Arriving late afternoon at our lodgings for the next two days, cabins in amongst the lush green mountains which surround us..

A large evening meal, followed by card games completed a wonderful day.

A rest day tomorrow followed by a cycle up and over the Lolo pass, think big climb, hot day and the chance of bear encounters or simply think it will be what it will be and I will have bear spray attached to bike, reach the pass, enjoy the downhill and 45 hilly miles will pass us by.

Our destination tomorrow, Lolo where we will meet up with Paula, Julia, Marianne and Steve.