Divided we stand

We made it to the top of Logan Pass in good time but didn't have phone service on the other side in Rising Sun.

The Day was cool to start along the banks of McDonald Lake. The climbing started exactly as expected and grade didn't seem as steep as some of the stuff we rode on The Blue Ridge Parkway but it was still plenty of work, particularly for our first day in the saddle.

Sunset at Glacier

Neill and Ken are spending their last night at Apgar. At sunrise tomorrow they will take on the Going to the Sun Road!

Postcard from the edge

Lake McDonald, Glacier NP, Montana.
Tomorrow we ride over that!

Sunday Morning ar Glacier

This is the view from the Village Inn in Apgar! Wow is the only words I can come up with, it was great. I picked Ken up at the airport, we went to check in at the hotel so we could unload his gear. There was no way to fit Neill into the car. After we checked in we returned to the airport for Neill.
The RodBike as we call it, Neill's new Ultamate travel bike from Rodriguez

The story of this bikeSeveral years ago, the ultimate bicycle traveller, Willie Weir came to us and asked us to build the ultimate touring bike. A bike that he could take to the Balkans, Cuba, and other out of the way destinations around the world. His bike had to have very low gearing, very reliable componentry (there aren't a lot of high tech bike repair shops where Willie travels), and be durable enough to travel on some very rough roads. Plus the the bike would have to easily pack up into a suitcase for convenient transport. The Ultimate Touring Bike, or UTB, was born.





I am leaving Glacier.. have to go to work for a week! I will return on friday night! This next trip will be longer as I will do "My Tour"

Leaving or the week! It is very hard to do.

building bikes for the great ride.

This room is very small and it is almost funny to watch Ken try to assemble his Blinky touring bike. I am standing on the bed to get the shot! Small room but the view sure makes up for that!

apgar

Lots of quick rain showers! I hope everyone is ready to ride in the rain!

Kalispell

montana!

Kristi stays in touch during the drive to Kalispell

Flat Head Lake

Mission Mountain Range

wow is the only word I can come up with! We are getting close.

Shadows of Rod and Elle

Bear Mouth Montana

We are making great time and the bikes can't wait to be off the roof!

Rest Stop in Utah

i love you mom..don't leave me!

Glacier National Park or Bust! On the Road

This is taken at Wipatiki looking at the San Francisco Peaks, out highest point in Arizona

Too early for the famous Navajo Taco..

Page Arizona

Glen Canyon Dam enroute to UTAH

I am entering the Canyon Lands! Utah

Hwy 89

bikes on the road

the trip begins

Cameron

The Trip begins without the DOG!!!

Kasidy aka Stoker Jack is in Winslow staying with Patti and Loyd. She also has a little friend Dusty aka Lucy.. she hides her toys under the couch and Kasidy brings them out to play! The car is very quiet without her!

Text of email I sent just before leaving

Below is a link to my planed bicycle tour of Glacier National Park and points north. As near as I can tell, this trip has been in the works for about 3 years. These files were originally for my own planning and designed to be loaded into my phone for reference during the trip. Then I realized that I could fairly easily share them with friends and family. http://members.cox.net/kneelt/TripPlan.htm Since my departure is only days away, don't look for timely response if you have any questions. I expect to update the plan with actuals upon my return.

kasidy on the way to winslow

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK BICYCLE TOUR

The trip... more miles in a week than I have ever done....

The time for the tour is getting near. I am going to try to blog during my trip and hope it will all transmit ok. So the tour is with womantours.com

8 Day Inn TourDates: • 8/18/08-8/25/08
Meet: Whitefish, MT
Time: 12:00 pm
Terrain: Rolling hills with some climbs. Moderate to advanced cycling level. 8 Day Inn TourDates: • 8/18/08-8/25/08
Meet: Whitefish, MT
Time: 12:00 pm
Terrain: Rolling hills with some climbs. Moderate to advanced cycling level.

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK BICYCLE TOUR
Many consider Glacier the most beautiful of all of our national parks. Its 1,000,000 acres of diverse habitats are home to over 70 species of mammals and 260 species of birds. The park contains 350 structures listed on the National Register of Historic Sites and 6 National Historic Landmarks. Glacier, along with Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada, is the world’s only peace park. This designation celebrates the longstanding peace and friendship between the two nations. Our journey takes us over the continental divide through a stunning landscape of jagged peaks, rushing waterfalls and brilliant wildflowers.
Day 1: Rendezvous in Whitefish for a rental bike fitting at 12:00 noon and an orientation at 2:00pm. Then we’ll enjoy a short warm-up ride along the lakeshore to the Lake McDonald Lodge. Built in 1915, the lodge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 11 miles.
Day 2: After a hearty breakfast, we’ll ascend the spectacular “Going to the Sun Highway”. Arguably the most beautiful biking road in the country, it is considered a right of passage for any cyclist. It crosses the continental divide at the 6646’ Logan Pass. Before cycling down, you can take a break at the top for a 3-mile hike to Hidden Lake. We’ll overnight at St. Mary’s Lodge. 41 miles.
Day 3: Today we ride into Waterton Lakes National Park, which along with Glacier, make up an international peace park. It commemorates the long friendship between the US and Canada. Tucked into the southwestern corner of the province of Alberta, this is also a breathtaking part of the world like no other. The majestic Rocky Mountains rise abruptly out of the rolling prairies in a scene unchanged for centuries. After a picnic lunch across the border, you’ll enjoy a beautiful descent and catch a first glimpse of the Waterton Parks Lakes.
We’ll overnight at the Prince of Wales Hotel, one of the most photographed hotels in the world. Its soaring roofs, green gables and wooden balconies give it a stately, yet romantic feel. We’ll all feel right at home. 48 miles.
Day 4: We ride back through the Peace Park and across the border to Many Glacier Lodge today. Along the way, you’ll probably see mountain goats and big-horned sheep. Perhaps even a bear or two. The lodge is situated on Swiftcurrent Lake, and its Swiss-style construction and lobby lined with gigantic Douglas fir pillars continue to amaze visitors. 52 miles.
Day 5: At Many Glacier, we happen to be at the center of the largest network of trails in the park. On our day off of cycling, you can choose to hike into one of the five major valleys leading to glaciers, passes and lakes. You’ll see meadows filled with wildflowers, waterfalls and lots of wildlife. Or, to give your legs a break, you can choose to go kayaking or horseback riding. 0 miles.
Day 6: Today’s ride takes us 14 miles to breakfast at the Two Sisters Café. It’s known for its colorful atmosphere (see its license plate collection!) but more for its delicious homemade pie. It is also the perfect way to begin our climb to the historic Glacier Park Lodge at the foot of Dancing Lady Mountain in East Glacier. 53 miles.
Day 7: We make our way over the continental divide again on a very gradual ascent over Maria’s Pass. The pass is the lowest point on the divide in the United States at 5215 feet. The Flathead River will accompany us on the long gradual decent (with a few short uphill sections) to West Glacier and then back to where we started at the Pine Lodge in Whitefish, MT. 57 or 88 miles.
Day 8: The tour officially ends after a farewell breakfast. Then you may take the inn’s complimentary shuttle to the airport at your convenience. 0 miles.