Into Idaho!!

After the beating we took over the last two days, it was time for something we had not yet experienced on the Tour Divide…a New State!!

We have spent 9+ days trekking the back roads and trails of Montana, with varied results, but lots of lessons learned and even more incredible experiences! That said, there is something incredibly exciting and satisfying about actually completing a journey across an entire state, particularly the longest path of any state on the Tour Divide (just a few miles longer than New Mexico) in Montana.

So it was that we set out from Upper Red Rock Lake (actually a beautiful Bird Reserve) in Montana in hopes of making it to a camping or lodging spot in Idaho. Destination TBD!!

The first 25 miles of our day were absolutely beautiful, with perfect riding temperatures and conditions (albeit on the same rocky and wash-boarded roads as the previous day). We were treated to our first big accomplishment of the day when we summited a climb and came upon the US Forest Service Red Rock Pass sign, which also serves as a marker for the Continental Divide. The third purpose of the sign is to act as the demarcation line of Idaho (Targhee National Forest) and Montana (Beaverhead National Forest). ONE STATE COMPLETED!!!!!!!

Dropping into Idaho was like dropping into a new world!! The roads improved markedly, with a few miles of single-track thrown in to quench our MTB thirst for something other than wide double track or gravel roads. It was an absolutely beautiful morning. We quickly ticked off the miles and were soon met with the decision to either continue on with our trek, or make a slight 3 mile detour to the small town of Mack’s Inn Idaho. The allure of resupply, as well as a meal and some rest time made the decision easy. We took the right turn onto pavement and after only about 15 minutes rolled into Mack’ Inn, with their Pizza and beer waiting for us. Turns out Mack’s Inn is quite the tourist attraction with it’s position right on Henry’s Fork river, with fishermen and SUPs a plenty!

The day was going remarkably well until I got the call. A horrible phone call. A phone call that snapped both Ray and I back into the reality of how hateful and destructive parts of the world can be. Lola had struggled over the idea of telling me, but finally decided she needed to inform me of the incident that occurred in Show Low, AZ. As the director of ZiaVelo, this hit me extremely hard. As a friend of the persons involved in the intentional running over of a group of cyclists at a race, while simply riding in the neutral roll-out, it hit me harder.

I sat in tears, shocked at the hatred shown by one individual towards an innocent group of cyclists doing what they love. It took us almost an hour to get back on the bike. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the riders involved, but particularly Longino Bustillos (Lonnie to us) who was seriously injured in the accident. We also keep the other cyclists and their families in our thoughts and prayers. Even hours later, the thoughts of our friends injured in the accident was enough to stop our ride while we composed ourselves.

Today, particularly after our stop at Mack’s Inn, having met some fantastic folks who were so interested and supportive of our ride, demonstrated the huge disparity between the good and caring folks in the world (of all political, religious (or not), ethnic, etc. backgrounds) and those that choose to live in a world of hate and anger. Sad, sad day.

After a few hours, we were once again riding with a purpose, on a old railway bed….for miles of glorious wash boards and soft, sandy, loamy soil. It seemed to never end, when all of a sudden we were diverted onto an old road that paralleled the Warm River. Miles of absolutely beautiful and flowing narrow double track. It brought back a sense of peace that had been shattered earlier.

As the dirt ended we summited a short but hard climb and quick descent, then turned right onto a steep and horrible road that would take us to our lodging for the evening.

While at Mack’s Inn, Ray had called a place we had heard about from other riders, The Squirrel Creek Elk Lodge. The call was basically like this:

SCEL: Hello,

RAY: Hi, were checking on a cabin for tonight,

SCEL: OK, you have one.

CLICK.

That’s it. That was the entire conversation. SO…I guess we had a room????

After the climb describe above on some rocky, and challenging road, we summited on the a large open plain of…crops!! Miles and miles of alfalfa being irrigated and dissected by beautiful and smooth pavement, seemingly in the middle of nowhere! This quickly led us to the lodge and one of the most enjoyable stays of the entire trip so far.

We were greeted immediately upon arrival by NICK, the manager of the lodge, more a series of REALLY cool cabins and bunk-houses. It was:

NICK: One of you Raymond Johnson

RAY: That’s me.

NICK: OK, you’re in that cabin (pointing). Want a beer?

US: ABSOLUTELY!!

NICK: Steak, potato, and salad OK for Dinner?

US: ABSOLUTELY!

So it was that we spent the next several hours, after showers and doing laundry, hanging out with Nick and drinking a few beers.

The evening was coming to a close at about 10 PM (Sun just setting) when 5 of the guys we had previously met on the TD (Including Darren Jer, and Randy Neil and three others whom we had met on Fleecer Ridge or earlier) arrived and invited us to stay for more beers. How could be possibly reject that offer?

The next morning was a little rough, as we set out for Yellowstone.

All and all, a day of goods and bads. Thinking and praying for our teammates.

Be kind to people. There really are a bunch of good folks out there.

We’re Southbound and Down!

Shane and Ray