Date: Thursday, 11 August 2016
Time on Bike: 6:33:23
Total Travel Time: ~9:08
Miles Covered Today: 75.28
Total Trip Miles: 1,764.8
Average Speed: 11.4, Maximum Speed: 37.2
From: Eureka, MT
To: Libby, MT
(Uploaded on 22 Aug 2016)
It was a different morning today. I headed out with three riding partners. I was really happy and pleased to have bumped into them here at the hotel. As many times as our paths had crossed over the last week or so, maybe it was just plain destiny that we finish our journeys together!
L to R, Yours truly, Rachel, Jenn, and Carl
This is Jenn’s famous shirt that caught Carl’s attention years ago on a group ride in the Detroit area where they both live. And here they were 5 years later riding their dream!
We left Eureka and immediately took a left on HW 37. This ride on HW 37 was why Rachel voted not to ride yesterday on an overcast day she told me. She had been so looking forward to this ride along the shores of Lake Koocanusa. As the day went on, I understood why.
Of course there was no cell coverage after we left Eureka. AT&T, you still suck! Needed to get the word to Bunny that our group was taking the alternate route on the north side of the lake. Less traveled and more scenic… Jenn got a tower from Canada (!!!) she said & sent a text.
The road was just splendid. More so as I had traveling companions to ride with, to talk to, and to share the journey with. They will be in lot of my pictures going forward.
We arrived at Lake Koocanusa. It is 93 miles long. You read that right. 93 miles!
We came to the Koocanusa Bridge
and decided not take the pedestrian/bike path but ride down the center of the bridge to celebrate. No traffic. No problem!
We crossed to bridge (I know, I know… to get to the other side!!!) to ride on Forest Development Road (FDR) road #228, the alternative route. Closed during the winter and very little traffic during the summer. We would mostly have this road all to ourselves today!
The road rolled up and down
providing breathtaking vistas of Lake Koocanusa.
Numerous creeks flowed down the mountains running under bridges into the lake.
Bunny got Jenn’s text and met up with us on FDR 228. Jenn, Carl, and Rachel weren’t used to having a sag wagon, but they soon learned to enjoy the perks of having one! Ice at every stop, water, and the most important bonus – Woz!
It was interesting how organic our travel became from the start. Carl & Jenn would sometime take lead, or Rachel and I would. Or Carl would head out on his own and we would all regroup at the next break. It was fun having companionship on the road.
We arrived at Libby Dam that formed Lake Koocanusa toward the end of our day.
A group shot was in order. I think (hope!!!) they were having as much fun cycling with me as I was with them!
The waters that are released from the dam are cold… very cold. We stopped at a park to rest and dip our toes in the water.
Only Jenn does more than that!! She is one tough kid!
We crossed the river one last time to ride the last 15 miles into Libby, MT on Old Haul Road.
It followed the railroad tracks and the river into Libby.
Not one car passed us the entire time we were on this gorgeous stretch of road! Over an hour, and not one freaking car!!
Bunny had already checking into our hotel We all congregated there at first.
The gang was staying at a campsite close by, but they dropped off some items they wouldn’t need until tomorrow.
We met at a Mexican restaurant for dinner.
I took dinner back to Bunny as Woz was done for the day!
Life is great!
A lot of additional pictures from today's travels below.
