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Thursday August 29         Cycling Day 47

 

        West Yellowstone (Mont) to Ashton (Idaho)

Distance:  (Km). 101

Time:  4:08

Average Speed: (Km/ hr). 24.3

Ascent:  (m).  467

Heart Rate: (beats / min). 113

Cumulative Distance:   (km).  5130

Cumulative Ascent :  (m). 42,453

Punctures so far : 3

One of the most enjoyable day’s cycling I’ve had. And into a new state and back to the Pacific.

Last night a bit difficult to get to sleep (just after 8) as there was a rodeo event being held about 1km up the road and someone giving a running commentary.

Very very cold at breakfast time this morning, one of the coldest yet. As we set out the sun was up but no heat in it yet. For the first few km my fingers were numb. If I felt cold, others who wear a few layers all day must have been absolutely perished. Today another few riders opted out and took a car to Yellowstone; will rejoin us this evening.

For the first 5.6 km we ascended 150m (helped to warm me up) to the Continental Divide again at 2160m ASL. We are now back on the Pacific side and will remain there. All waters now flow into the Snake River and on to the Columbia and into the Pacific in Oregon. The Continental Divide part of the sign has been well disfigured with fly posting.

We are also leaving Montana after 11 days and crossing into Idaho just for today and part of tomorrow. As we sailed down from that crest the stark mountains appeared again.

The first 35 km along the Idaho road (Highway 20) were so enjoyable even though they were of the long straight variety. Possibly it was the wide shoulder, although the rumble strips were more severe than previously and not a puff of wind against us. We crossed the Buffalo River and cycled along by Henry’s Fork or North Fork(Branch) of the Snake River. I was looking forward to another early day into camp.

After the village of Last Chance (that name again!) the shoulder virtually disappeared and when traffic was overtaking it was necessary to move onto the dirty edge of the road.

At 48 km I turned left onto the Mesa Falls Scenic Road, a much quieter road than Highway 20. For the first 20 km along here it was anything but scenic and a dark cloud threatened to spoil our day. No big long stretches but that’s it. I did spot a vulture by the roadside where a bit of roadkill was in the grass.....could smell it. 

Also just 5 km from lunch (at 69) I felt the back whee act funny. Stopped and checked and it had gone soft. Gave it a few blasts of the pump and hoped to reach lunch. A passing motorist did pull in and offer the use of a floor pump he had in his truck but sufficient pounds in at that time. Almost made it to lunch and for the last 500m I stood on the pedals and leaned forward to ease pressure on the back. Made it.

After my usual lunch, Sarah (Mech) and I put the bike up on the stand, removed tube, located hole and located cause...a short piece of radial wire. New tube in and ready to go. The right spot to get a flat. So that brings the count to 3.

A suggestion had been made at Riders Meeting of a short side trip from the lunch stop to view Mesa Falls on the North Fork River. It involved a downhill for 2 km and return. Just a few opted for this extra bit. I’m glad I went. There was a fine walkway along by the top of the falls (not crowded)  and strong sunshine added to the effect. The falls are 114 feet tall (ten stores) and over 2.5 billion gallons tumble over each day. This North Fork of the Snake comes from ground springs (nor snow-melt) so is consistent year round. It was beautiful to view the rainbow in the mist from the falls. I stayed there for a long time admiring this spectacle. On a info board on the way out indicating the wildlife one might encounter here was a description of the ‘yellow-bellied marmot’ a rodent who spends 60% of his life in hibernation but comes active in the fall! Those falls were well worth the side trip, hills and all.

After lunch again the landscape changed. It twisted and turned, in and out of the shade at this hottest part of the day. I enjoyed this type of road so much. Then a long descent to cross a creek (Warm Creek), up the far side and straight into a wide expanse of grain (bearded wheat?) on both sides. 

Met that before but there was a bit of harvesting action here. I spotted a combine far off in the ‘field’ and I waited till he came close before pressing the button. Got the shot, he passed and covered me in a cloud of sticky chaff. All around on both sides of the road, near and far, combines were busy. And a little further on alfalfa was being cut and baled, though the workmen must have been at lunch as I passed. So machinery in action today for a change. Conor would have loved all this machinery action.

This brought me into Ashton (pop 2000) and quite clearly grain is a big part of the local economy. Silos lined the tracks right in the town. The railway here opened in 1900 but not for freight but for passengers....unusual. The rail line passes right by the campground here and it’s just freight that I have spotted.

Idaho, I noted from registration plates on cars is famous for potatoes. I spotted one field today but I must be more observant tomorrow. In the centre of Ashton is a low obelisk featuring the activities of the area....fishing, outdoor activities, the famed 55 mile dog sled race and the other side depicting a man in his potato field.

Our campground is just 4 km outside Ashton right beside the busy Highway 20 and the railway track. Here at 4pm it’s difficult to conduct a conversation with the noise. Hope it quietens down around 8pm. Strange selection of a campground as I believe there are a few more in Ashton. TDA must have a reason!

I arrived just after 1 and set up my tent among the apple trees and enjoyed a needed hot shower after a hot day in the saddle.

A glorious day’s cycling with a new state, waterfalls, a flat and a bit of harvesting. Super.

Thank God for the health and thank God for the energy.