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[Keithincda]

Took off yesterday morning for Missoula, MT from here in Coeur d Alene, ID. Shortest route is directly east on I-90 and is about 175 miles +/-. I decided to make a longer ride out of it and head south on US95 to Lewiston, ID and then take US 12 over Lolo Pass and into Missoula. I am trying to do 2 things this year...Ride often even though by myself after my best friend/riding partner moved to Denver AND slow down and enjoy the rides and take some Pictures even though I am more inclined to just take off and head out stopping for fuel/water very 100 miles or so and finally stopping after 600 miles or so. Here are some pictures I took, a couple of which will be near where Gabe/Let's Roll may have a day ride planned for those of you who are coming to the Spokane CVO GTG in a little over a week.
South of Coeur d Alene (which is very similar to south of Spokane) is the Palouse region of WA/ID, a huge dry land wheat area. On the Idaho side it's bluegrass fields and peas/lentils. The terrain looks like this:

[Keithincda]

This is looking west toward Washington, the stateline is about 8 miles from the highway I am on. About 20 miles just beyond the hill above the red barn is another that can't be seen and it is called Steptoe Butte, it's quite a site out in the middle of rolling wheat fields. I believe that is a day ride for the GTG, its about 50 lies south of Spokane.

[Keithincda]

Two college towns are south of Cda/Spokane. Pullman Washington is home to Washington State University, school of the biggest flop in NFL history, Ryan Leaf. It is also the new home of football coach Mike Leach, this year being how 1st since departing the great state of Texas. In Moscow, Idaho there is the University of Idaho, the unknown big brother to Boise State.

[Keithincda]

A little way down the road is the confluence for the Clearwater and Snake Rivers. In this picture Lewiston, ID is on the left of the river and Clarkston, WA on the right. The Snake is flowing toward me (top to bottom in picture) in this picture and is flowing from the area known as Hell's Canyon. At Lewiston/Clarkston it merges with the Clearwater (right to left in picture) coming out of Idaho and then the Snake continues on through Washington to the Tri-Cities where is dumps into the Columbia and heads to the Pacific Ocean. This picture is from the top of the Lewiston Grade which drops down into the valley from the Palouse. YOu can see one of the twisty curves of the old highway in the bottom of the picture. The newer part is not quite as curvy but is a very steep grade with 5 or 6 runaway truck ramps.

[Keithincda]

This is a canola field, always very beautiful and 60+ mph!

[Keithincda]

At Lewiston US 12 funds from east to west, west goes to Walla Walla, Wa and points west. To the east lies a couple of small communities along the Clearwater and Missoula is about 200 miles away. There is a lot of history here from the Lewis/Clark expedition and the Nez Pierce Indian tribe, this is along the Clearwater.

[Keithincda]

Now the fun begins!

[Keithincda]

This area has a lot of whitewater rafting but is also an area for backpacking into the wilderness. Several bridges from the highway across the river to trail heads to head into the woods.

[Keithincda]

Lots of creeks coming down out of higher drainages and dumping in to the river. This is actually the Lochsa River now. It flows from the east into the Clearwater at a point where the Clearwater heads south.

[Keithincda]

Remember the 77 miles of curves picture? This is the Lochsa Lodge about 60 miles into the 77 miles. A good place to get of the bike and stretch. Real cool restaurant/lodge/bar. Exactly the type of log lodge you'd expect to see in this area.

[Keithincda]

Cold beer too!

[Keithincda]

It is also the 1st place in about 80 miles to get fuel if you don't get it in Kamiah, ID before heading up the mountain!

[Keithincda]

Cool little cabins to rent for overnight too, a great little place to relax for an evening I suppose.Here is the website for the place http://www.lochsalodge.com/

[Keithincda]

Of course I always pack my CVO care package so I can stop anywhere and fuel myself up. Water, cold beer and healthy dark chocolate!

[Keithincda]

Top of Lolo Pass which if coming from the east is about 30 miles +/- from Missoula. In my case is was at about the 170 mile east from Lewiston, ID.