Author: djlofquist

I had a great breakfast at Spud’s Cafe with a bunch of big guys in plaid shirts (with the sleeves torn off) that worked at the grain elevator. I learned a lot about the business, including the best harvestors and trucks, while dining. When I left Chester at 07:30 it was s chilly 50 F. … Continue reading Day 18: I didn’t know it got this hot in Montana…

I left the hotel about 08:15 and immediately noticed there was not a headwind- in fact, I had a light tailwind! My first tailwind of the ride! During the day it varied from about 5-15 mph but it was always a quartering to a full tailwind! It took me under 4 hours to ride the … Continue reading Day 17: A tailwind for my birthday!

To start my day I had to ride 18 miles- including 1,400′ of climbing to get over the continental divide- to get my coffee and breakfast at East Glacier. After breakfast, I left with a full stomach, a wide shoulder on the highway, a nice warm sun, full water bottles and a stinking strong headwind! … Continue reading Day 16: A tough ride to Cut Bank, MT

I left Whitefish around 07:30 after a great nights sleep and a good breakfast (4 waffles, 2 eggs, yoghurt with fresh fruit, a bagel with peanut butter, a muffin and 3 cups of coffee). I was taking secondary roads from Whitefish to Columbia Falls to avoid traffic on Hwy 2. The route was sort of … Continue reading Day 15: I have to start paying more attention to my maps!

I dropped my bike off at Glacier Cycles yesterday. They said they were very busy (they were telling people it could take a week for most work) so they might not complete the work on my bike until later today. On that basis, I needed to stay another day. Since my WS hosts were leaving … Continue reading Day 14: A rest day in Whitefish, MT

Did I say I stayed with the mayor of Rexford (pop. 107)? Well I did and Richard Payton was a great host and full of good advice. My first game sighting was when I went outside with my coffee to assess the temp & weather and saw several does and fawns in the front yard! … Continue reading Day 13: Rexford to Whitefish, MT

I got an early start (for me) and was on the road by 07:30. The first 15 miles were pedaling on the east side of the beautiful Kootenai River. Then I crossed a bridge to take a shortcut which would shave 3 – 4 miles off my trip at the expense of more and higher … Continue reading Day 12: A beautiful ride from Libby to Rexford, MT

I had three great cups of coffee in my room because I was able to make it strong! Then I pedaled to a cafe for a breakfast burrito and I was on the road by 08:00. Within 5 miles I saw deer and a couple of flocks of wild turkeys- I love seeing all the … Continue reading Day 11: I  mashed Idaho and am now in Libby, Montana!

Had breakfast at McDonalds (pancakes, sausage, oj & coffee) and was on the road before 08:00. A nice lady at McDonalds gave me the coffee for free- the first act of kindness for the day! I rode into Idaho only 30 minutes or so after starting and I have to say it looked exactly like … Continue reading Day 10: Outa Washington and into Idaho!

I couldn’t find a cafe so started my day with a can of cold raviolis and a banana from a little store…It was 52 F and partly cloudy when I left Ione. I had a relaxing day pedalling through beautiful landscapes and no mountains! My route was going South along the East side of the … Continue reading Day 9: riding along the Pend Orielle River from Ione to Newport