Day 8 Eureka to Columbia Falls

 A shortened day due to the unavailable budget offerings of accommodations. I am just south of the entrance to glacier National Park , which explains the higher cost of rooms. It also puts me a little further away from my next destination of Cut Bank about 118 miles. Need to get an early start. Sunset is 9:20 so there will fortunately plenty of daylight. 

Day 7 Troy to Eureka Montana

 

Small town in route

A fairly uneventful day of 82 miles along the Koocanusa river. Slightly rolling terrain. Roads are much smoother than what i had experienced on the southern tier 2 years ago. All in all a good day on the surly.

River view 

Rock wall

Day 6 Sandpoint Id. To Troy Montana.

 New day ,new state. A quick pass through Idaho on a rainy Monday morning finds me in Montana at days end. Flirting again with the idea of holding out for better weather, I decided to make a dash for the town of Troy 84 miles away.  The rain did finally stop at the half way point. The rain itself was not the biggest issue. The huge logging trucks spraying billows of mist has more harrowing. 

Welcome to Montana. 

Getting ready for a downhill. 

Day 5 Ione Wa. To Sandpoint Idaho

 

A brisk 90 miles on level asphalt along the Pend Oreille River. Mostly level with wildlife skirting the roadways.  White tailed dear, wild turkeys and an enclosed herd of buffalo. The first of 8 adventure cycling maps is complete along with all of the major summits. Although I will be returning next summer to cycle the areas that were closed at the beginning. 

Wild buffalo sanctuary. 

Day 4 Colville to Ione

view from motel parking lot

Crystal falls

Smooth waters. 

 Woke to a steady rain fall.  Contemplating staying another night if weather didn't clear by noon.  Fortunately the town of Ione being only a 4 hour ride away had a reasonable priced room on the river. First question I was asked after checking in "do you want to take out a kayak " . That 40 mile ride was well worth it.

Day.3 tonasket to colville wa.

 On a day that was to be a total wash out and possibly a rest day i awoke to clear skies. Hustling my gear i was on my way upward to waconda pass and 3500 feet of climbing at 5:30 am. The anxiety of such a climb soon disappeared due to smooth shoulders, light traffic, light tail wind and an easier than expected grade. Arriving in Republic Washington at 10:30. With clear skies over head i cancelled my room reservation and made a dash for Coville and a bicycle only hostel where hosts Shelley and Barry hosted a delicious meal of Ethiopian lentil soup and dessert. In total 99.25 mile and approximately 6000 feet of climbing. 

Dense pine forest 

Smooth sailing 

Curious 

Final pass

Day 2. Brewster to Tonasket

a scant 60 miles of mostly flat roadways along the Columbia and one of its tributaries. another very unusually hot day even by my standards. got a good early start and was able to check in early. weatherman is calling for heavy thunderstorms all night and into tomorrow for my start and end point. considering a rest day although I'm not sure what that means. Will make a determination in the morning.