Trish & Phill's Tandem TransAmerican

Tour 2003 

Jul 11 Darby - Lolo 64mi

Since yesterday at chief Joseph Pass at 7241' we have been losing height, Lolo is about 3200'. We are following the Bitterroot Valley - along the Bitterroot River all day and the scenery is lovely. There are mountains on both sides of us with snow on a lot of the peaks yet the temperature has been around 100'F for 3 days now. Even though it's hot it is not too hot to ride reasonably comfortable. Going up hills is the only time we really suffer but as I've said we are mostly losing height.

Somewhere along the road in the afternoon the urge got hold of me and I just had to jump into the river and cool down. Good job there were no Police around as - well I did not have any bathers to swim in! The water was cool and so clean. I could have stayed in it a long time. Trish was concerned that somebody might be passing by and I would scare them.

We passed thru Hamilton and bought a new spare tyre and tube, he had a Colnago bike in the shop for $2200US that's cheap compared to Australian prices.   

As we cycled the Eastside Hwy near Florence Trish noticed a place that had Dolls and Miniatures displayed and for sale. Theresa's Dolls and Gifts was a good place for me to cool off from the sun and an hour of Oooing and Arring for Trish. They plan to have a Dolls museum there soon and they certainly have enough stuff to  fill one, some of the items are quite old and rare. Our Granddaughter would love this shop if we hadn't of been on the bike I'm sure Trish would have bought half the shop!!!

We met more cyclists at a cafe in Stevensville going the other way. The conversation is predictable now, they want to know what we have just covered and we want to hear what is in store for us. By far the most popular touring bike is the Trek 520, I have seen so many of them.

Staying in a motel tonight, switched on the TV and found the Tour de France, so that had my attention for an hour 

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