A challenging day through gorgeous terrain. Our 71 mile route followed the Clearwater and then the Lochsa Rivers upstream into the Bitterroot Range separating Idaho and Montana. The road hugged the rivers almost the whole way, through canyons of tall blue / green conifers. Despite an early start the midday sun and heat was challenging, and we got split up for a period, Joe rode an extra 8 miles before locating Chris and Mary Ann. All’s well that ends well but Joe was ready for an extra lemonade at the end of the day!

Tomorrow is a challenging route as well as we will ride over the 5,200 foot Lolo Pass before descending 34 miles into the Bitterroot Valley and then Missoula, and cell phone coverage for the first time in several days. It feels like we’ve been in very remote county for a long time.

We are approaching the 900 mile mark in our expedition and are looking forward to a rest day in Missoula!