Jana, Steph, Ginny, and I left Olympia with four bikes, and a whole lotta gear in Jana’s truck around 9:00am yesterday. We made a stop at the Spokane Airport to pick up our fifth member, Bethany, who flew out from Illinois. Her bike (in its case) was added to the gear in the back of the truck.
We arrived in Couer d Alene at dinner. Deciding getting dinner should be the first order of business, we went to Moon Time Brew Pub. Because one never flys with food, we had to go to the grocery store so Bethany could food for the first few days.
Back at the hotel, Bethany set to work putting her bike together. We had two hotel rooms. Steph and I shared a room, Ginny and Bethany shared the other room, and Jana opted to sleep in her truck (to get to sleep earlier). Steph and I did the majority of the loading of our bikes.
We planned to meet at 7:00 to go to breakfast at Cracker Barrel.
Day 1…
We all headed to breakfast as planned (good thing we didn’t plan to go earlier because CB didn’t open until 7:00. We all had hearty breakfasts.
I took the one little bottle of CB maple syrup to add to my breakfasts.
Bethany’s bike was put together, but she still had to pack and load everything onto it. Steph and I were ready, so we helped Bethany as much as we could. I repackaged her food.
Since we were leaving the truck parked at Couer D Alene Bike Co., Jana drove the truck and her bike and gear to the bike shop while Bethany was getting packed up. Then, once we were ready, the four of us rode to the bike shop to meet up with Jana.
We finally managed to roll out from the bike shop at 10:35, a bit later than planned, but the best we could do. We rode down to the water (and the route), and took this photo.
Let’s go! Panhandle Ramble Route here we come!
It was heating up as we headed out of town. Before long we were turning on Nettleton Gulch Rd, and beginning our first climb. It was a doozy! Over 3 miles with an average grade of 7%.
When we got to the Canfield Trail system Parking area, we rode around a gate (no more cars, but still motos) and continued climbing.
If you zoom in, you can see CDA way down there!
Steph, Jana, and Ginny, being stronger and faster, got ahead of Bethany and I. Bethany and I came to a spot where the road continued straight, but Garmin was telling us to head up Trail A. Since it was a significant turn, both Bethany and I figured the others had not made the turn. Since we were slower, we continued on the route thinking they would soon discover they were off route. The trail was unrideable for a good chunk. Then it flattened out some, and we were able to ride. I looked ahead, and could see cell towers on top of the mountain. I decided to see if I had service and could text the others. I did, and had a text from Jana saying she thought she was off route, and didn’t know where Steph and Ginny were. I told her about the trail. Ginny also saw the text. Bethany and I came to a wide spot in the shade, and decided to have lunch and wait for them to catch up. Steph also saw the text thread, and came back.
The rideable part of the trail.
Ginny arriving.
Steph and Jana arriving.
We all figured out what had happened, and enjoyed our much deserved lunch break.
Back on the trail for a bit more climbing, we stayed a bit closer together.
Lake Couer d’ Alene in the distance.
We finally popped out of the trail. First Jana and Steph, then me, then Ginny, and finally, Bethany. Ginny rode by us without stopping. We figured she wanted to finish the climb. The four of us continued on. There was another section of trail…more walking.
Back to the road, we were on the second big climb. After the pre lunch debacle, the four of us continued to stay fairly close together. No sight of Ginny, other than we knew she was ahead of us.
We took a longer break, especially when Jana noticed there were ripe huckleberries. They were delicious. I picked a handful for Bethany, knowing they would help quench her thirst (we were all running low on water, but Bethany was particularly low). Steph also gave her some water.
We continued on climbing. Not too much further, we came to pavement. It was a welcome relief, even though we were still climbing. The route POI said there was water at mile 16 1/2. It was a spring. Well, it wasn’t at mile 16 1/2, more like 17 or a bit more.
It was a most welcome sight! We all tanked up and filled all our bottles.
We finished the climb finally, and began the most glorious smooth gravel descent. It would take us to our planned campground, Honeysuckle.
Smooth gravel.
Zoom in and you can see the road we were heading for.
Yay! Downhill!
When I was nearly at the campground, and ahead of the others, I saw Ginny heading toward me. She had somehow not seen us when she came out from the trail to the road. She kept going. The whole time, she though Jana And Steph were ahead of her.
Anyway, we made it to Honeysuckle CG, which is closed, but that’s great. We have the whole place to ourselves, and there is a water pump, and an unlocked vault toilet.
Tomorrow we plan to get going MUCH earlier!
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