Decisions, decisions, which bicycle tour would I go on this year, Oregon again or Idaho? Bicycle Idaho put on by Sandy Green from the former company Scenic Cycling captured my imagination and interest. The route would be following the Oregon Trail just like the pioneers did moving west in the 1800’s
The tour would cut through three states: Idaho, Wyoming and Utah. It turned out that sixteen BCI members registered for this ride. The club members now would have the opportunity to meet and camp together sharing tales of the road just as many pioneers banded together to face the hardships of weather, danger, and companionship.
I was living the American Dream, that notion that with hard work and luck you can do anything you want to do. We were going an average of 85 miles a day totaling 520 miles, climbing 17,439 feet. I was determined to visualize the grandeur and hardships the pioneers suffered each day I would be riding. If the pioneers of the 1800’s could tough it out, so could I (besides we have sag support).
Our story unfolds at Pocatello, Idaho on Saturday, July 24, 2004 at the Bannock County Fairgrounds. This area located in the foothills of the Rockies used to serve travelers along the Oregon Trail. Three hundred twenty five riders from all parts of USA including our friend George Davis from Hawaii pitched their tents. Our own BCI member, Dennis Miller, cleverly made a flag that read Bicycle Idaho Club, which also spelled out BCI. This would be our camp central flag each day and become our beacon at night to guide BCI members home among the many campsites.
This year most of us signed up for a new service, gourmet coffee, and towel service. In addition, daily massage services were available, thank goodness! Well I did say visualize the hardships of the pioneers I didn’t say live it.
Our first morning broke early and by 5:30 a.m. Wayne Broadhag and I were waiting in line to get our gourmet coffee. With bags packed and loaded on to the trucks, the breakfast lines started forming in the cool morning. Plenty of home style cooked ham, eggs, potatoes, and oatmeal would be our daily treat. Riders usually started leaving at 7:00 a.m. and our destination today would be Ririe, Idaho (mileage 87). On tour, you have to get use to early to bed and early to rise (after coffee of course).
Our route took us along the Snake River where some early pioneers made it their first permanent settlement. Ririe is a small town in Jefferson County off of Highway 26. On this day we would discover the world’s largest potato. Located in a small park, BCI members rushed to squeeze next to each other to fit in the photos. I don’t think we are very camera shy.
Our adventure continued on Day 2 to Jackson, Wyoming. This would be a very difficult day (74 miles) with an elevation gain of 6,000 feet, a 3-mile, 11% grade up the spectacular Teton Pass. Everyone loaded up with a good home cooked breakfast of carbohydrates. This would be my first visit to this beautiful part of the country. Our route slips says we will start climbing at mile 30. It was a beautiful ride as I wondered how the pioneers must have suffered trying to cross this pass with their oxen’s. As I struggled up the 11% grade I was drenched from perspiration from head to foot. Remember this was supposed to be a fun ride! I finally reached the summit, which overlooked Jackson Hole. The sign ahead said: Teton, elevation 8,431 feet. I later learned that BCI member Norm Moyer not only rode up the pass on a Mountain Bike, he also rode back down to help other BCI members. We also have a Lance in our club too.
Dripping wet I asked a tourist if she had a newspaper I could use to put inside my jersey to block the wind. Thanking her I was now ready for the six mile 10% down grade. The scenery defies describing, as it was so beautiful as I rocketed downhill. Good thing I reduced my tire pressure by 10 pounds this morning. I carefully applied the brakes as I picked up more and more speed (yippee). I’m sure the rims were now glowing hot from the friction.
Rolling into our Jackson Hole campsite was a welcome site situated next to a river. Not the best campsite, but it would be home for the next twodays. It’s a good thing for my body that we have home cooked food, massages, and a hot shower.
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Day 3 was our rest day at Jackson Hole, but still we were riding up to Jenny Lake, situated in the Grand Teton National Park. Today we would be taking more pictures, as you know BCI members love taking pictures and eating. The early fur hunters loved to trap in this area for wild life was abundant.
Most riders made it to Jenny Lake, but I stopped and took pictures of the Grand Teton’s. I imagined I was back in the 1800’s where herds of elk and buffalo were so thick it looked like a brown forest moving across the countryside. Snapping back to reality I managed to stop at a Dairy Queen on the way back to camp.
Dinners were usually at five o’clock p.m. and my helmet is off to Farmstead Catering of Bend Oregon. Under every condition from high winds to heat they were able to cook a meal you would be hard to find at the best restaurants in Beverly Hills.
The next day was a trip to Henry, Idaho with many rolling hills (85 miles). In the evening we experienced a normal thundershower with rain, thunder, lighting and high wind. It kept me up as I
daydreamed of the settlers seeking protection in their covered wagons with their oil lamps glowing in the darkness. Families comforting each other as the howling winds whipped their canvas covers.
Luckily on our 4th day the sky was clear and cool as I reached for my coffee to kick start the day. Mile after mile we ride with hardly any cars passing us. In the distance there were fields of alfalfa for miles with its tell tale aroma filling the air. Leaving early each morning, we were able to get most of the rides done before the heat smothered us. As the early pioneers managed 10 miles a day, we were averaging 85 miles.
Our fifth day was from Henry, Idaho to Garden City, Utah. This trip takes us through Soda Springs and pass through one of the oldest towns, Montpelier along the Oregon Trail. Also, on this day, BCI member Dennis Miller also completed his 100,000 lifetime miles. On a lonely stretch of highway, nine BCI members were going to have an old fashioned Ho Down for Dennis. As he passed the yellow farmhouse, we all yelled and cheered as his odometer clicked over that last mile. His son, Chris, was there to celebrate that defining moment. Our campsite today was at a KOA Campground by Bear Lake. Early Bear lake settlers came from Britain in 1863. We are living and breathing history and my body keeps telling me I am so tired!
Our 6th day was from Garden City to Preston and the morning started with a seven-mile climb. We woke up for a good breakfast and the coffee was steaming hot. As we circled up the seven-mile climb, the view was breathtaking. We will be descending for almost 30 miles, the bad news it’s over rough road (chip seal) thanks to the State of Idaho. We will be traveling through the same route of Idaho’s pioneers. Our campsite tonight was by far the best of the tour. Located at a schoolyard it actually had green grass to set up your tent. Also, dinner tonight will be the famous cooked Salmon that is unbelievably good.
Our last day was from Preston to Pocatello for 77.6 miles. There were so many things I had to leave out of this story. The friendships you gain, the bonding of friends working together and our emotions. Mother Nature paints a new day, and our world is still intact. As nothing is perfect on a tour, it had its share of problems too: accidents, flat tires, injuries, and complaints.
If you have never experienced a tour, don’t put it off another year. We never know what next year will bring us. Talk to past BCI participants for tips on how to prepare and what to expect. Yes! This trip was difficult with too many long hard days, but I can proudly say I conquered Teton Pass by bicycle.
Most Memorial Billboard: Utah…Happiness is modesty in behavior and dress.
Most Memorial Tee Shirt: Before every heaven there is some hell to pay, Train Harder.
BCI Members attending: Clint McDonald, Steve Devore, Jackie Ledbetter, Jo Wilson, Bill Kramer, Dick Bird, Penny Poorman, Norm Moyer Wayne Broadhag, Jerry Jefferson, Tommie Kozlov, Sue Fair, Dennis Miller, Chris Miller, George Davis, and Jim Luparello. |
