Additional pictures from the NW bike trip

September 26, 2016

We have been back from our NW bike trip for a week now and we are slowly getting back into our normal routine. Last week was unseasonably warm and we managed to ride 70 miles. Last night a cold front came through our area and this week will be slightly cooler than the average. I feel like we need to take advantage of all the nice days because our bike riding for 2016 will end soon. Today we were able to ride 24 miles. The leaves are really starting to fall and cover the trails. It does pose a small problem, sometimes you can't see stick or limbs laying on the trail because they are covered by the leaves. We did hit a few today but fortunately they didn't cause any problems. 

You know it's Fall when..........

You have to stop and clean your sprocket several times while riding!

Below are several additional pictures from our trip that weren't included in the blog write ups. Thought I would give you some extra tidbits from our rides.

Before the trip I decided to make license plates for both our bike and Tom and Susan's bike. I thought it would be a great conversational ice breaker while we rode the trails. We only had 1 person notice them and come up to us and ask about why we were riding there. This person was a very unique individual and liked to talk, and talk, and talk! So, I'm not sure we will leave the license plate on, it didn't turn out to be that great of an idea.

This sign was on the Banks Vernonia Trail. We blazed right by it while thinking "how bad could it be?" Well, this was the downhill part of the 11% grade with switchbacks. It got pretty scary and I made a mental note that we would definitely get off and walk the bikes on the return trip back to Banks. One of the main reasons I get so scared is because our feet are locked onto the pedals so if we start to go over you can't stick your foot out to catch yourself. 

We had two days that were particularly cold for me. But, even worse than the cold was for it to be cold and rainy! We have been so fortunate on our trips and have only had to ride in the rain 1 day. The picture above was taken at the Grand Tetons. You can tell by the wet parking lot that it had been raining. The rain stopped for several hours and we were able to get our ride in. I have never been so bundled up on a ride!

Tom was our designated bike holders while we stopped to eat blackberries and take pictures. We couldn't believe how many blackberry bushes were along the trail in Washington. There were also lots of apple trees here and in Oregon that we saw from the trail.

This picture was taken as we were driving in to Grand Teton National Park. This particular area was call the "Sensitive Wildlife Area". We were so thrilled to see more moose (we had seen 1 in Idaho also). We kept looking for bear but never saw any. A ranger at the visitor center tried to sell us bear spray but I didn't think I needed to spend $60 dollars for a can. All Clay and I would need to do was pedal faster than Tom and Susan if we ran into a bear! 

We drove 5200 miles and biked 200 miles. We have now ridden in 39 states. We have nine states in the NE, Hawaii and Alaska left. We are presently talking about where we will go next and when. It's always fun to start planning our next adventure! (Above photo taken by Susan Weaver)

Grand Teton Multi-use Pathway, Wyoming

September 14, 2016
14 miles

The day started out cold and rainy. But the forecast showed that there would be a break in the rain around 10:30 to early afternoon. We loaded the bikes and headed for Grand Teton National Park. We figured if we were at the park when the clouds broke we could hop on our bikes and get a ride in without getting wet. Our first stop was the visitor center. While there the rain did stop and we even saw a rainbow. A sign that it was time to ride.

We drove to Jenny Lake, unloaded our bikes and got everything ready. Clay went to put his biking shoes on and they weren't in the car. He'd left them back at the condo, which was 45 minutes away. He would have to ride in his running shoes and not be clipped in. We started out South, going downhill into the wind. It was 45 degrees and pretty cold. I had dressed warmly but my hands and face were very cold. But, I was so thankful that it wasn't raining! We followed the bike trail down to the ranger station at Moose, turned around, and went back to Jenny Lake. Going back with the wind at our backs was so nice and I wasn't cold anymore. I couldn't believe how much difference it made. When we finished our ride the sun was still shining so we ate our lunch at a picnic table at the Jenny Lake Trailhead. 

 The rain had stopped and we had some fabulous views!

 Passed some antelope playing on the range.

 Jenny Lake

Before heading back to the condo we drove around Grand Teton National Park to enjoy more of the scenery. Just as we turned the car around to head back to the condo it started raining again. I never would have guessed that today would have turned out to be so perfect!

Jackson Lake, from Signal Mountain.

We ended our day by having dinner at the Bar J Chuckwagon Supper & Western Show. So much fun to eat a cowboy dinner and hear these men sing western songs. They are very talented and I highly recommend their show if you are in the Jackson Hole area.

Great Northern Historical Trail, Montana

September 12, 2016
22 miles

Spent the morning driving around Glacier National Park. Absolutely beautiful! We did get into some snow and parts of the road were closed due to the weather but, we enjoyed what we saw.

Our bike ride started later in the afternoon when it was suppose to hit the high for the day, which was 57 degrees. It was partly cloudy and breezy so it would feel even cooler to me. I dressed as warm as I could. Two pairs of socks, 3 pants, 2 shirts, 2 jackets, a muffler, earmuffs and my long fingered gloves. I was quite fluffy but I stayed warm!

We started our ride in Kalispell and went south to Somers. The trail followed a road so there was a lot of traffic noise. The views to the distance were of the mountains and it was gorgeous. Some of mountains had a dusting of snow at the peaks. Overall it was a nice trail and I rode more than I expected since it was so cold.

Interesting bicycle seat at the Wheaton Bike Store, Kalispell, Montana

Trail of the Coeur d'Alene

September 10, 2016
58 miles

Our day started out cold (48 degrees) but we shouldn't expect otherwise since we are pretty far north. By 10 a.m., the temperature had risen to the low 60's. I dressed in many layers, wore my full fingered gloves, and earmuffs and was very comfortable. We are staying in Harrison, Idaho and our cabin is right on Lake Coeur d'Alene. In this section, the trail runs right beside the lake and is basically right out our front door. The only problem is the path down to the trail is very steep so we ride into town where there is a road going right down to the trail. Since we are staying along the trail and not at one end or the other, we decided that we would do two rides today; one to the NE, and later, another ride to the SW.  

The views are breathtaking! It is so crisp and clear. Smelling the pine-scented air was invigorating. We made many stops to enjoy the scenery. Each time we stopped I would shed an article of clothing as it was quickly warming up. We rode until lunch time, found a picnic table at a trailhead and enjoyed eating our lunch outside. On the way back to Harrison we spotted a young moose out in a swampy area. We looked for the parents but never spotted them.

Arriving back in Harrison we decided to spend a few hours resting before biking down the trail in the other direction. We discovered that there was a classic car show going on. Clay and Tom went looking at the cars and Susan and I went shopping. All were happy!

We started our second biking trip today just after 4 p.m. and it was 80 degrees. By this time, I was in shorts and a sleeveless jersey. Hard to believe that this morning I was dressed for cold weather. Biking the trail in the SW direction we stayed right along the lake. More beautiful views! What a perfect day it has been. Tomorrow we head to Montana and colder weather. I may be wearing ALL my biking clothes to stay warm!

Chehalis Western Trail, Washington

September 8, 2016
43 miles

We got an early start this morning. Left Beaverton, Oregon by 8 a.m. and got in Portland rush hour traffic. I would sure hate to deal with that every morning. I can see now why so many people in Portland ride a bicycle! Our drive to Lacey, Washington was a short commute, about 2.5 hours. We were able to check into the VRBO early. Our plan was to unload our luggage and then start our bike ride. Everything was going as planned until it was time to air up the bike tires. Apparently, Tom has issues with tire pumps. He likes to break them! And, unfortunately, it happened today. (Sorry Paul, you'll be getting a new pump). So by the time we replaced the pump and ate lunch it wasn't until 1:15 that we actually started riding. This is two days in a row now that we've had issues that have delayed us. Hope we aren't setting a precedent here.

The trail today was very nice. It was extra wide and overall the trail was pretty flat, with a few exceptions. Both yesterday and today were basically the same distance but today we averaged 2 mph faster than yesterday. Hills will do that to you! Just like yesterday's trail, today there were lots of trees, shrubs, ferns, bushes, etc. that we enjoyed as we rode. I don't know why but I am very enthralled with all the ferns. We did have a little mishap today. We ran over a snake. Clay tried to avoid it but, unfortunately, it was impossible and the snake did not survive. Tomorrow is a travel day which will probably be good. A few of us are suffering from blisters and leg cramps so I think we need a day of rest!

 North end of the Trail

 Lots of Blackberry Bushes, Clay enjoying a snack.

 Bicycle Roundabout

 Have you seen this commercial? Well, it happened to me!

Toward the end of the ride, enjoying the scenery and weather.

Banks Vernonia Trail, Oregon

September 7, 2016
43 miles

 Car Trouble

Today didn't start out as planned. We were all loaded and ready to leave for our ride when the car wouldn't start. So, 2 hours and a new battery later we were on our way. Despite starting out with problems it turned out to be a wonderful day and this is one of the best trails I have ridden.

 Happy People

This trail starts in Banks, Oregon and goes to Vernonia, Oregon, approximately 21 miles. That means if we want to ride the whole trail we go all the way to Vernonia and then back to Banks, making it a 43 mile ride. Even though we got a later than expected start we still had plenty of time to bike the whole thing. Today we packed a lunch to eat somewhere along the trail. We found a lovely picnic spot and enjoyed eating al fresco.

 Great Advice

From Banks the trail gradually climbs and then there is a steep grade down, you cross a road, and then there is an 11% switchback climb back up the other side. We did take this signs advice and walk with our bike. Since the tandem is longer than a regular bike it makes going through the switchbacks very harrowing and the stoker (me) wanted to walk, and remember, it's the captains (Clay) job to make the stoker happy.

Below are some pictures taken on the trail today. It was very beautiful, therefore, I took lots of pictures. Here are a few of my favorites.

 Trees 

(I thought they were pretty so I had to get a picture)

 Tree Canopy with Fern Ground Cover

Buxton Trestle

(700-foot long, 80-foot high)

Perfect Picnic Day

Boise River Greenbelt, Boise, Idaho

September 5, 2016
21 miles

Woke up this morning and it was 45 degrees. That is way too cold for me to be biking, so while we were waiting for it to warm up, we took a tour of the Old Idaho Penitentiary. We had a great tour with a very informative guide. It was a very interesting tour!

After lunch it had warmed up and was in the 60's, warm enough to ride the bike, and we were ready. After driving 4 days and 1700 miles we were anxious to be pedaling instead of sitting in a car! We started out at Baggley Park and took the customary selfie before riding.

Boise has a great trail system that runs along Boise River through neighborhoods, parks, Boise State University and the downtown area. One thing we couldn't help notice was how bumpy the trail is. My bicycle seat broke before leaving on our trip and I didn't have time to replace it. We used a seat off of one of our hybrid bikes, which is a little larger and softer, to replace the broken one. I was very thankful today to have that softer seat, it absorbed a lot of the trail shock from all those bumps! Interesting note: on the local news this evening they spoke about the bumpy trails. It was announced that they have the funds now to resurface the trails. AMEN to that!

As we were biking along the river South of town, I heard a bird squawking. I could tell that it was a larger bird and coming from somewhere above me. I started scanning the trees to see if I could locate the bird. I spotted a cell tower close to the trail and on the top was an eagle's nest with the eagle in it. Unfortunately, I was unable to get a picture but it was so exciting to see! Even though the day started out so cold it turned out to be a very delightful day! I hope the rest of our biking days will be as nice.

Dog Days of August

I'm sitting on the back porch watching the hummingbirds while writing my blog. It is a very pleasant day for August and in the shade it is heavenly!

What a busy summer it's been. We have been riding the trails around here but really nothing noteworthy to write about. Clay and I have ridden 800 miles so far this year which I feel is good considering how rainy it has been this summer, two new grand babies, visitors and a couple of vacations. We have been getting out and riding in the mornings before it gets too hot. We usually end up at Subway for a salad or sandwich before going home.

Photo from the MCT Heritage Trail

Today we rode 31 miles down through Glen Carbon and then out toward Marine. East of Interstate 55 we passed 3 people riding horses on the trail. This is the first time that has ever happened. The trail out that way had lots of twigs, leaves and other debris strewn all over the trail. Several times we hit twigs big enough that it bounced me off of my seat. Because of the tree canopy and the shade it was hard for Clay to see and miss those things. Clay said that whoever mowed along the trail recently mowed the wrong direction and it threw everything up on the trail instead of back in the trees.

I have been nervous about crashing lately. It is a combination of a friend's recent crash on the trails here, the horrible crash of the Dutch cyclist, Annemiek van Vleuten, at the Rio Olympics and just the concern about getting hurt before our upcoming biking trip. Clay has been really understanding when I have expressed my nervousness while out biking and has adjusted our speed at intersections and/or curves in the trails! Thanks dear, you're a Great captain!

This time next month we will be in the Northwest adding 5 more states to our quest to ride in every state. Susan & Tom, my sister and brother-in-law, are joining us again in our adventure. Here are the trails we plan to ride:

Banks - Vernonia State Trail - Oregon

Boise River Greenbelt - Idaho

Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes -Idaho

Chehalis Western Trail - Washington 

Great Northern Historical Trail - Montana

Grand Teton Multi-Use Trail - Wyoming

Looking forward to seeing the beautiful Northwest and praying we'll have good weather and safe travels.

Ode to the Tandem

May 2016

Ode to the Tandem

by Clay Burkholder

Day after day you stood on that display, beckoning a pair of riders to take you away.

One of us was gung-ho, the other one not so much so.

A vacation ride on one like you, was the trick to make the other willing too.

So began the many travels, with hopes the marriage wouldn't unravel.

But through miles and miles and fifteen years, sore bottoms and a crash didn't bring tears.

You've carried us to places with beautiful sights, spurring conversations but never a fight.

We look forward to fifteen more, if one of us doesn't wear out before.

May was the anniversary month for buying the tandem. So, happy 15 years to our bike! It is hard to believe that we've had it for almost half of our marriage. We have had lots of adventures (retracing my Great Great Grandfather's move West), taken lots of silly pictures (see 10-3-2012 post), benefitted tremendously health wise, and seen so much more of our great country from the seat of our bike instead of behind the dashboard of a car! I'm looking forward to many more years being the stoker on the back seat of the Cannondale!

Recent ride on Madison County Trails