Day Fourteen – Going To The Sun Road

Today officially ends “The Big Bike Ride”. Nana and Janet rode to the top of Logan Pass on the Going To The Sun Road in Glacier National Park. They had to get an early start to get their bikes through construction that was taking place on the road but once through – it was smooth sailing and beautiful weather! Once at the top, they continued down the other side to the east side of the park, ending the ride at the St. Mary’s Lodge.

Janet and Nana on top of the Continental Divide!

On the way to the top…

Haystack Creek…

Getting closer…

Near Logan Pass…

One of the glaciers the park is famous for…

St. Mary’s Lake…

The gang toasts the end of ride at the Many Glacier Hotel!

Thanks to everyone for following along and supporting the ladies of “The Mud Tribe”…

Day Thirteen – Zero Day, Glacier National Park, Montana

The ladies are enjoying a zero day in Glacier National Park. Time for some hiking, relaxing and fun.

Mammatus Clouds – West Glacier, Montana

Summer Wildflowers…

More Wildflowers…

Mountain Goat…

Another Mountain Goat…

Tomorrow – Going to the Sun Road!

Day Twelve – Fortine to West Glacier, Montana

Today, the ladies rode from Fortine to West Glacier…

Along the road – En-route to Glacier…

Along the road – En-route to Glacier…

Sunset, West Glacier, Montana…

Day Eleven – Lake Koocanusa to Fortine, Montana

Today is another long one for the ladies of The Mud Tribe – 71 miles from Lake Koocanusa to Fortine, Montana. This will put them in position to make West Glacier on Thursday.

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A familiar mantra…

Swell…

Big bridge over Lake Koocanusa…

Too damned hot!

Our accommodations for the evening…

Update 7:09pm PDT – I received an update from Nana’s SPOT Satelite messenger…

This message is from Nana’s SPOT Emergency Locator Beacon
All is OKAY! Life is Good!
ESN: X-XXXXXXX
Latitude: 48.7831
Longitude: -114.9239
Nearest Location: Fortine, Montana
Distance: 1/2 mile
Time: 07/23/2009 02:09:21 (GMT)

Tomorrow – West Glacier….

Day Ten – Bull Lake to Lake Koocanusa, Montana

Today, the ladies are scheduled to head to Lake Koocanusa, a distance of 54 miles, ever nearer their destination of Glacier National Park, Montana.

Along the route…

Suspension bridge…

Janet along the road…

Update – 6:24pm PDT: I received a message from Nana’s SPOT satellite messenger unit..

This message is from Nana’s SPOT Emergency Locator Beacon
All is OKAY! Life is Good!
ESN: X-XXXXXXX
Latitude: 48.487
Longitude: -115.2985
Nearest Location: Lake Koocanusa
Distance: 0 Miles
Time: 07/22/2009 01:24:55 (GMT)

Day Nine – Sandpoint to Bull Lake, Montana

Today, the ladies are scheduled to leave Sandpoint and head east to Bull Lake, Montana.

Leaving Sandpoint…

Janet at Lake Pend Oreille…

Along the road…

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Update – 5:03pm PDT – I received a message from Nana’s SPOT unit letting me know they had arrived safely at Bull Lake…

This message is from Nana’s SPOT Emergency Locator Beacon
All is OKAY! Life is Good!
ESN: X-XXXXXX
Latitude: 48.2684
Longitude: -115.8551
Nearest Location: Bull Lake, Montana
Distance: 0 Miles
Time:07/21/2009 00:03:10 (GMT)

Bull Lake…

Day Eight – Zero Day, Sandpoint, Idaho

Today, the ladies are taking a zero day and relaxing in Sandpoint, Idaho. Laundry, shopping, pool-side cocktails and relaxation are the agenda for the day!

Sandpoint, Idaho…

Day Seven – Blue Slide Resort, Washington to Sandpoint, Idaho

Today, the ladies are headed for a weekend of relaxation in Sandpoint, Idaho. They have about 65 miles to go until those cocktails and swimming pool beckon.

Coming into Sandpoint, Idaho after a long, hot day with 75 miles under their belts…

Day Six – Kettle Falls to Cusick, Washington

Today, the ladies are scheduled to ride 65 miles from Kettle Falls to the Panhandle Campground, 18 miles past Ione, Washington. This is very near the Idaho border.

Rolling hill country…

Update – 3:30pm: The ladies have diverted due to road construction to another location for the evening. They are now in the town of Cusick, Washington, some 74 miles from Kettle Falls. They have settled down at the Blue Slide Resort along the Pend Oreille River.

Linda’s sister Sue joined the group and was inducted into “The Mud Tribe”…

Sue gets her traditional Mud Tribe induction…

Tomorrow – on to Idaho and a weekend retreat in Sandpoint!

Day Five – Republic to Kettle Falls, Washington

Today is a shorter day for the ladies due to their extending their mileage yesterday. Kettle Falls lies only 40 miles from their current location. Their route will take them over the Sherman Pass Byway…

Along the byway…

Nana does some yoga…on a rock wall!

Sherman Pass – the highest driveable pass in Washington…

The ladies take a dip in the Columbia River…

Linda drives the “sag-wagon”…

I will update their progress as I receive reports from the road…

Idaho here they come!

Day Four – Loup Loup Pass to east of Republic, Washington

Today, the ladies were scheduled for a 64 mile trek from Loup Loup Pass to Wauconda, Washington. But – I just received an update that they apparently pressed on and are now settled in for the evening just east of Republic, Washington – some 19.2 miles beyond Wauconda.

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This message is from Nana’s SPOT Emergency Locator Beacon
All is OKAY! Life is Good!
ESN: X-XXXXXXX
Latitude: 48.6506
Longitude: -118.6926
Nearest Location: Republic, Washington
Distance: 2.8 miles
Time: 07/16/2009 01:03:55 (GMT)

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This brings their total mileage for the day to 83 miles – a New Record!

Now, it’s time for some steaks!

Day Three – Washington Pass to Loup Loup Pass

Today the ladies are scheduled for 50 miles of beautiful mountain scenery from east of Washington Pass to Loup Loup Pass, home to several ski areas.

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Update – 8:30pm PDT: I received a satellite message from Nana’s SPOT unit letting me know they are okay and have reached their destination of Loup Loup Pass…

This message is from Nana’s SPOT Emergency Locator Beacon
All is OKAY! Life is Good!
ESN: X-XXXXXXX
Latitude: 48.3946
Longitude: -119.9025
Nearest Location: Loup Loup Pass, Washington
Distance: 0 miles
Time:07/15/2009 03:29:08 (GMT)

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Update – 12:30- PDT: The ladies are in Twisp, Washington having a bite of lunch after a brief stop in Winthrop. From there, they begin the 2400′ climb to Loup Loup Pass. All is well and they are enjoying some sunshine for the first time since the start.

Nana, Kathy and Janet riding the range in Winthrop, Washington…

Here they come into the metropolis of Twisp…

Janet apparently rescued this small bird that was stuck under a log along the way…

Day Two – Marblemount to East of Washington Pass

Today the ladies of The Mud Tribe are scheduled to ride through North Cascades National Park on their way to the east side of Washington Pass, el. 5477′, some 62 miles of beautiful mountain scenery. Marblemount is at el. 315′ so that makes some 5162′ of elevation gain for today’s ride. The ladies refer to that as major UFH!!

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Update: 5:54pm PDT I just received a SPOT message from Nana indicating they have reached their goal – Lone Fir Campground, 6 miles east of Washington Pass!

This message is from Nana’s SPOT Emergency Locator Beacon
All is OKAY! Life is Good!
ESN: X-XXXXXXX
Latitude: 48.5801
Longitude: -120.6241
Nearest Location: Washington Pass
Distance: 6 miles
Time:07/14/2009 00:54:46 (GMT)

Before the climb to Washington Pass…

Janet and Nana stop at the Pacific Crest Trailhead at Rainy Pass – thinking about next year when they tackle the PCT – all 2650 miles of it!

The camp awaited their arrival…cocktails, relaxation, dinner!

Today was a major climb and a great accomplishment for the ladies!

First Night – Marblemount, Washington

I just received a SPOT message indicating the ladies reached their goal for the first day – Marblemount, Washington – 70 miles east of their starting point in Anacortes.

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This message is from Nana’s SPOT Emergency Locator Beacon
All is OKAY! Life is Good!
ESN:X-XXXXXXX
Latitude: 48.5503
Longitude: -121.4242
Nearest Location: Marblemount, WA
Distance: 2 miles
Time: 07/13/2009 02:30:38 (GMT)

Click here for a Google Map of their location

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Here come the ladies riding into Marblemount…

Alpine Campground outside Marblemount…

The Big Bike Ride is Underway!

The ladies awoke to a cool, damp, overcast morning in Anacortes. They assembled a couple of bikes that had been shipped ahead and then hit the road.

Kathy, Pat, Nana, Janet, Linda and Liz…

Which way do we go?

I will update their progress as I get reports in from the road!

Bayview State Park – Anacortes, Washington

I received a message alert from Nana’s “SPOT” GPS unit letting me know they had arrived at the starting point, “Bay View State Park” in Anacortes, Washington.

The green arrow marks the SPOT…

For those not familar with the SPOT unit, please vist this page for more information. Nana will have her SPOT unit with her during the trip and will update their location at the end of each day. This unit also gives the gals a way to summon emergency assistance if needed, even when out of cell phone range.

Update: I just talked to the ladies and they are in camp at the park, ready to hit the road in the morning! Sounded like a good time was being had by all…

Kathy, Liz and Pat have been officially inducted as “Mud Tribe Members”!

Their camp…

Seattle…

All The Mud Tribe members are gathering in Seattle today in preparation for the start of “The Big Bike Ride” tomorrow morning! 

This image needs no introduction…

Janet, Linda and Pat at Pike Place Market…

Pike Place Market…

The weather forecast calls for a 20-30% chance of rain.  Keep your fingers crossed for sunny skies and a nice tailwind!

Bill

RSS Feed Added…

I have added an RSS feed for “The Big Bike Ride” blog.  Depending on your browser of choice, it will show up in different spots.  Look for the RSS Feed icon.

Otherwise, if you are having problems, here is the link for the feed:

RSS Feed for the Big Bike Ride

Take care all and stay tuned for Sunday’s start!

Bill

Big Bike Ride Starts Soon!

Only a few days to go until the “Big Bike Ride” starts in Washington.  Nana has dropped off her gear, including her bike with Janet and Linda for transportation to the start.  Nana will be flying into Seattle along with several others on Saturday, the 11th in preparation for the start on the morning of the 12th.

Stay tuned as we get going for daily updates on the ride, their progress and stories from the road…

Washington to Montana…

The Mud Tribe has planned a bicycle ride this coming summer, starting July 12th, 2009 in Anacortes, Washington.  From there, they will head east through the beautiful Cascades, the panhandle of Idaho and into Montana, ending up at spectacular Glacier National Park. 

The planned route totals 703 miles, spread out over a two week period.  The ladies hope to average about 50-75 miles per day with layovers planned along the way. 

Please check back here as we get closer for any updates.  Once the ride is underway, I will post daily progress reports along with photos from the trip.  This ride should be good training in preparation for their conquest of the Pacific Crest Trail in 2010!

Take care all,

Bill