Trish & Phill's Tandem TransAmerican

Tour 2003 

Jul 15 Kooskia - Lucile 76mi

We set off with the plan of reaching Riggins today but the weather beat us. It was so hot on the road. We heard later it was 105'f, we drank so much water it had our eyeballs floating almost. Trouble is the water gets hot too and drinking tepid to warm water most of the day is not too flash.

Again we pass Don the cyclist then he passes us as we stop off somewhere or other for ice-cream coke or whatever. Today's ride took us over a mountain that went from 1200' up to 4300' over about 28 miles, so it was fairly steep. At the top of White Bird Hill as the locals know it there is a Ranger information station.

We sat on a bench there and had our lunch a few bread rolls canned fish and so on that we had bought in town. The tourists up there wandered past and looked at is eating this banquette like there was no tomorrow bet they felt sorry for us.

There is always the other side of the hill. This one plummeted 2500' in 6 miles. Because of the gross weight of our bike, trailer and two riders we are very heavy. We took nearly as long to come down the mountain as it did to get up it. The rims on the wheels were very hot but I was determined not to "cook" the tyre again (aka Virginia)     

  Phill got himself a part time job while we were out here.Ha-ha

Page owned & maintained by Trish Collins email to  trishphill@aapt.net.au.  Last Updated 28/07/2003