Yep this was another day to cross a mountain pass.  This would be my highest elevation while cycling.  I had other days with more total climbing but I now started to notice the elevation impacts on breathing.  We started at 3820’ in the morning and crossed the pass at 7,267’. It’s good training for the ever increasing heights coming in the next 12 days!   So after 8.5 miles of continuous up at grades averaging 5-6% we crossed Chief Joseph Pass with snow falling on us. Then we got to roll downhill to our final destination about 27 miles from the top.  We ended at Wisdom MT.  Along the way we were snowed on multiple more times..  thankfully it wasn’t raining so we stayed pretty dry!  

During the ride we met a guy named Frankie.  He had started his transamerica ride last year but had to pause for work.  He was finishing the ride this year.  We also saw Luke who was returning to Missoula from his previous days 190 mile ride.  We also met a guy named Sam in Wisdom who rode 190 miles earlier in the day on a single speed bike (ie no gears!!!  so lots of leg power needed for hills).  He was asking about places to stay.

What’s awesome to see is the sense of community among riders.  You see folks with bikes loaded headed your direction or going the other way and you have to chat.  And not just how ya doing?  Sharing road conditions, tips on where to stay, eat, rest, tips on other sections, warnings about winds, dogs, and the width of the roads.  Not only that but the Warm Showers hosts / bike hostel hosts / motel folks will say, keep a watch for this guy, or the two girls riding to Alaska, or the group of four a couple days ahead, etc.  Several days ago we met a guy riding solo who is from Scotland.  He is going east to west and was traveling super light. He was averaging 93 miles per day!  So we gave him intel on what we had just ridden.

It’s cool being part of this entire community of people.  We are sharing a common bond that centers around cycling and the fun and challenges of long days of riding.  We all complain about the cold and rain, but everyone follows that up with “yea, but I love it”.  When I started planning the trip I was prepared to ride alone and hoped I would spend a couple days seeing folks.  Instead I have been blessed with meeting hosts who are so helpful and caring, with Piers and Stefaan who have become like close friends. I’ve exchanged numbers with other riders including John and Lisa who are riding to New York and may be coming near our home.  I hope to meet this group of four riders ahead of us too.   It’s an unexpected yet awesome  blessing to have a community of folks supporting each other on the road along with friends and family praying for me from home.  

Ok- time for bed. Day 19 awaits with more miles and more blessings too.