Bicycle Idaho 2002

In July 2002 Linda and I joined Bicycle Idaho 2002, a supported bicycle camping tour traveling a loop through Eastern Washington and Northwestern Idaho. We enjoyed last year’s Bicycle Idaho 2001 tour and were convinced then to join the tour again this year.

The tour was organized by Bicycle Rides Northwest, a bicycle touring company based in Bend, Oregon.

Itinerary

Day	Start	Stop	Mileage	Elevation Gain
July 14	Lewiston, Idaho	Pullman, Washington	58	3030
July 15	Pullman	Fairfield, Washington	63	2435
July 16	Fairfield	Coeur d’Alene, Idaho	50	1410
July 17	Layover at Coeur d’Alene		varied
July 18	Coeur d’Alene	St. Maries, Idaho	60	3615
July 19	St. Maries	Deary, Idaho	54	3585
July 20	Deary	Lewiston, Idaho	48	2270
Totals			333+	16345+

 

Diary

13 July 2002 (Saturday)

We drive to Lewiston, Idaho, from our home in Bend. There is a strong wind across the Columbia Plateau from the east and it is hot. As we drop down to the Snake River near Clarkston my truck outside thermometer reads 111 degrees F.

It is hot at our camp at the Lewiston Rodeo Grounds, but we have exciting thunderstorms during dinner that cools the temperature down and we have a much more comfortable evening.

We see several people from previous rides, including Pete who we last saw on the Ride the Rockies 2002 tour last month. We listen to the tractor pull at the adjoining stadium and several thunderstorms during the evening and night.

14 July (Sunday)

We leave the Rodeo Grounds and ride to Lewiston, then cross the Snake River in Clarkston, Washington. After passing the Port of Clarkston we cross the Snake River once more and ride north along the east bank of the river to Wawawai Landing. The headwind is strong along the river, but the temperature and views are nice.

At Wawawai we turn away from the river and climb towards Pullman. This is a strenuous and hot climb, but is soon over and there is a cool breeze at the top.

We enjoy a pleasant ride through green farmland the rest of the way to Pullman, where we stay at the Sunny Side School. We walk downtown in the afternoon for lunch and enjoy a pleasant evening at the school.

15 July (Monday)

We ride north along the scenic Palouse River and then on to Garfield. North of Garfield we turn right onto Farmington road and enjoy a scenic and very pleasant ride through Farmington and then on to Tekoa. Here we find a used book store serving espresso and we enjoy our first lattes of the tour.

From Tekoa we continue on Highway 27 through Latah to Fairfield. It has been a hot ride, but everyone we speak with is very impressed with how scenic the day’s route has been.

Our camp this evening is at the Fairfield City Park along the highway. A few trees provide shade, but the best shade is on steeply sloping ground, so we compromise and camp beside the horseshoe pit. Rick, Ray, Daniel, and John pitch horseshoes for several games without landing any horseshoes onto tents or bicycles.

We sleep fitfully with the bright park lights and sounds of traffic, barking dogs, and a domestic argument across the street.

16 July (Tuesday)

Today the route continues north along Highway 27 past Rockford and Mica. The drop down into the Spokane metro area is fun, but several bicyclists are riding slowly two or more abreast on the wide shoulder in heavy vehicle traffic so we descend carefully.

We find the excellent bike path along the Spokane River and follow it east into Idaho. Soon the bike path leaves the river and winds among busy streets. Due to construction we are rerouted onto a very busy Seltice Road with little or no shoulder. But we all arrive safely at our campsite at the Coeur d’Alene Fairgrounds.

It is very hot and we find the best available tent spot we can, since we will be spending the next two evenings here. After setting up camp several of us take a shuttle bus to downtown Coeur d’Alene. We enjoy a dip into the Coeur d’Alene Lake, visit a few shops, and relax at the Coeur d’Alene Brewery Pub before returning to the Fairgrounds for dinner.

It is relaxed around camp in the evening. Even those planning the full optional ride tomorrow don’t have to plan an early start.

17 July (Wednesday)

Dave, Linda, Pete, and I ride an abbreviated, but interesting version of the day’s optional bike route. We ride to Hayden Lake and along and above its northwestern shore in thick forest, then return to Highway 95. Here we turn west onto Highway 53 to shorten the route, but find the traffic too busy for comfort. So instead we begin following a series of back roads. We have to ride on some short gravel stretches, but manage to avoid most of the traffic on our way back to camp. Linda and I ride downtown and swim in the lake before returning for an excellent dinner at camp

18 July (Thursday)

Today we begin our return ride to Lewiston through Idaho. The route takes us to downtown Coeur d’Alene, then climbs onto Interstate 90. We ride along this busy highway, stopping for photos of Coeur d’Alene Lake, until we exit at milepost 22 towards Harrison.

The riders follow the shoreline for several miles, visiting several bays separated by climbs of varying difficulty. There is some truck traffic and the shoulder is narrow, but most of the drivers are very patient and considerate with the many bicyclists on the curvy road.

We cross the Coeur d’Alene River just before entering Harrison and stopping at the City Park. We soon climb away from the lake towards St. Maries and drop down into another valley. It is warmer now that we are away from the lake.

Crossing the St. Joe River, we enter St. Maries, and find our campsite at the school. Linda spots a good tent site along the edge of the field where we are able to find variable shade. The gear truck is later than usual and I am able to help unload the truck with many other eager campers. The gear is color coded and we make three rows behind the truck as it moves forward. The bags are treated rather roughly, so it is best to pack the bags snugly with the most fragile items deep inside.

19 July (Friday)

It is cooler today as we leave St. Maries to climb along US Highway 3 through thick forest. There are many log trucks sharing the road with us. The shoulder is narrow. I stop to allow trucks to pass before I enter one inside curve and then hurry through the curve before more trucks arrive.

At the top of the first climb we find rollers, then drop back down to the St. Maries River. We turn onto Highway 6 and pass through Emida, then climb to the Palouse Divide. Here we find the owner of the adjoining ski lodge providing us a small water stop. He seems to enjoy visiting with the bicyclists and we learn he has recently moved here from Bend, our home.

The descent to the Palouse is fast and fun, then we continue on to Howard in a light rain shower. We turn onto Highway 9 and climb once more and ride on to Deary and our campsite at the Deary High School. The community is expecting us. The camp is close to the downtown and the bicyclists swarm over the few food and drink establishments in town.

There are a few light rain showers in the afternoon. Linda and I check our email at the City Library. The camp is festive – it is our last camp of Bicycle Idaho 2002. We have a nice salmon dinner and then a local Bluegrass musical team entertains us. It is a cool and quiet night and we sleep well.

20 July (Saturday)

The tent is wet with dew in the morning. We leave Deary south on Highway 3 in the cool morning. Linda and I take our time and photograph several scenic vistas. Linda lingers along the road photographing many of our fellow bicyclists.

I enjoy the long, steep, and scenic drop to Kendrick, where we turn onto the bike path along Potlach Creek. We cross the Clearwater River and follow its south shore downriver to the Nez Perce Park. Here we enjoy the last rest/water/snack stop of the tour and say goodbye to many of the support crew.

We take back roads, then turn onto Highway 95 and follow it to the Webb Cutoff Road. From here we climb our last hill of the tour in the hot sun, then descend to the Lewiston Rodeo Grounds and the end of Bicycle Idaho 2002.