Back In The Bitterroot

Well, I finally made it to Montana.  The Lost Trail Pass was a bit snow covered but not so bad.  Here are the rules for driving over Lost Trail Pass in the winter:

1. realize that there are 10 foot snow banks on each side of the road, so if you lose control you will not really go over the edge
2. test your brakes well before the turns so you know how slick it really is
3. once you know how slick it is, slow down a little
4. on the climb, goose it a little until you drift, just so you know, then,
5. slow down a little more

Here is a current picture:

See?  How bad could it it be.  Any idiot could successfully drive over this pass.

Right now I'm sitting in the Bitter Root Brewery, sipping an IPA and having a burger.  I've been stomping through the snow all day and my belly is grumbling, my piriformis really hurts, and my feet are wet and cold.  So, here I am.  I have 15 more cameras to check, 6 cameras to remove, and 2 cameras to install.  Looks like I'll be here until Wednesday.  It really is going to get warmer here this week.  Not dry, but warm.  The bottom line is warm wet feet are better than cold wet feet.  The glass is half-full.  So is my IPA.

No, I did not bring a bike.  When I get back to Cache Valley, I'm going for a ride.  Really.

Montana?

I really need to go to Montana.  But,...

Winter Driving

I'm getting ready to head up to Montana.  I checked the road conditions in Idaho.  Ice and cows!  I better not hit the brakes.  Frozen manure.

Or, I could go over the Gilmore Summit.  Nice conditions, no?

I think I'll stay home until Monday.

Tour Of The Wellsville Mountains

I pedalled up and over to Brigham City yesterday.  I went north through Honeyville and Deweyville, and then headed back to Logan.  the mountains were absolutely beautiful, and I went really slow.  It took me all of four hours.  We will get rain and snow tonight so there will be no bike rides for the next two days.


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Snow Bike

I've had my Snow Cat wheel set for about 10 years now.  But, I haven't had a 26" frame to put them on for 5 years.  So, I put 'em on the 29er.  Yeah the bottom bracket is quite low but the bike sure is stable.  The fixed gear cog is loctited on.  Don't do this unless you are only going to ride in the snow with a really low gear.  Again, the purpose of the Snow Cat rims is to make the tire profile look like a "U" not an "O" where it contacts the ground and the rim so that it can really spread out.  More fun than a pair of skis (for me).

Blue Sky...

...and a warm day.  It looks like mid 40s today.  I really am going for a ride.  Really.  Those are the Wellsville Mountains below.  I may go do a loop all the way around them.

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I played basketball today, brief moments of brilliance followed by extended periods of ineptitude.  My lungs hurt, but I think it's time to go for a bicycle ride.

Back In Utah...

...and it is much colder than it was in Florida.  Here is a picture of a black cherry tree in the back yard leafing out.  I took it just before leaving, proof that Spring was well under way.  Here in Utah I'll have to wait until May.  I'm still sick, but I hope to be back on the bike by the end of the week.



When we landed in Jacksonville in late December, it was still Fall.  Here is a picture of the leaves in Bonnie's back yard before Christmas.

And just a few more.  These are the bikepacking set up.  I plan to do some more of this as soon as it warms up.  I may really do the Grand Loop this year.