Day 19 - Lochsa Lodge to Missoula, MT

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 Stats: 

Today's miles: 57 miles
Today's feet of elevation gain: 2,218 feet
Total miles traveled: 719.0 miles
Total feet climbed: 26,517 feet
Dead Rattlesnake count: 16
Initial/Peak/Final elevation 3,553 ft / 5,225 ft / 3,314 ft

I find it hard to break camp and be on the road early whenever I ‘tent it’. I was out of Lochsa Lodge by 7:15, shortly after Israel and Anna had left. I admittedly had some trepidation about the 12 mile climb to Lolo Pass. The first 6-8 miles were much like the day before, a moderate climb, but manageable with rest/water stops. Then the climb became very real!! I’ve mentally adjusted to a very incremental approach to riding (one more mile marker, one more turn of the crank…etc), but when you shift to your lowest gear and make such limited forward progress that the bike weaves and is difficult to control, especially with limited/no shoulder, it’s time to switch strategies. While I can claim to have ridden over Lolo Pass, I must admit that it was a spectacular walk up the steepest sections.


Lolo Pass visitor center was a welcomed sight!! It not only was it the end of the climb, it also marked the end of the western time zone and the end of my riding in Idaho. Welcome to Montana!!


Montana offered a great initial welcome...five miles, downhill, as fast as you wanted to go!! From LoLo Pass to Missoula is 46 mi, all downhill! And while that is an advantage, the slope drops to the point that there still is a significant amount of pedaling. In just a couple hours I had reached Lolo and was headed into Missoula.


It’s amazing how much the conditions change in such a short distance. The temps rose considerably as I dropped in elevation, the winds down the canyon, while generally favorable, were strong and variable, at times creating a significant headwind. By 3:15 I had arrived at Adventure Cycling headquarters.


This is somewhat a rite of passage for anyone on one of the western cycling tours. You stop in, get your picture and info posted on their wall of fame for the season, get an ice cream treat and get to hang out in their cyclist lounge. All very cool! Glad to be a member! But to be honest, the prospect of checking into the TravelLodge and getting a hot shower and a nearby meal (again a two granola bar day!!) were the real motivation for the end of today’s ride.


I’ve opted to spend a rest day in Missoula. In addition to recovering from the ride over Lolo, it’s time to do laundry, pick up some supplies (Albertsons and Scheels) and make plans for the next stages to Great Falls!

Looking down Lolo Pass



Location: Missoula, MT, USA

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