The ride today from the small beach onthe river at Lowell to wemdover campsite was 60 miles of riding along the river lochsa through magnificent pine forests. This area reminds me s lot of Germanys black forest but this is far better! It was a cool day after last nights thunder. I was tired as I got no sleep on the beach as I was watching the rivet rise as the rain increased and a flash flood at 3am was looking on the cards..not good. I won't pitch on river banks again! I
HAD breakfast at a diner and headed off along the river, a 60 mile ride with nothing but trees river..
No water or food except what I carry. I would like to point out that its likely the trick driver who actually touched my left arm at about 50miles an hour when he had more space to pass than an aircraft carrier would need has a co k smaller than a female chipmonk. On the way I met Hayden from virginia riding west to Florence without a map. We chatted and he took some notes from my maps . I am still without phone as the deal I got in Portland for whatever reason isn't working on idaho. I've been washing in the river as I haven't seen a shower in to long a time and I'm starting to smell like a roadkill on a hot day! Big pass to climb in the morning so I'm off to bed.

The climb out of whitebird this morning was ok. My knees hurt. Lot so I took it slow and only used low gears. The view from the top is amazing and there are no cars on this road as they all get to climb up the new road..ha serves them all right!  The more I do these climbs the better o get at them. Mentally I am strong and I know I will beat every hill simply because I have no alternative but to prevail. I saw dear bouncing across the road in front of me...man they can jump! I went to the old battlefield at whitebird where the cavalry met the Indians. I could really see why the terrain was so important in the fight. I'm typing this in the subway shop in grangeville idaho where fat women with tatoos  and foods on cowboy hats are alll eating three times as much as I am. It's 11am and having done the days climb itts mostly flat for the rest of today. I don't feel like a foreigner here.
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Todays ride has been breathtakingly beautiful. Riding along the lochsa river with its dense pine forests and pure fast flowing water was more than special. Tonight I am camping right on a pure white sand beach right on the river at Lowell. I also got a new brooks saddle on hold for me to collect in missoulla any my thanks go to bear on vs planet for literally saving my arse! My cell network isn't covering me here..dunno why.the barmaid let me use her cell to call the bike shop so I should have no problem...hmm. 68miles of perfect cycling today and a big climb as well. Swimming in the river and sleeping on my own beach..paradise. tomorrow I'm off out into the wilderness as the 66mile ride has no water or services marked on the map at all...can't wait.

Do any of my good American friends following this blog have any clue why my cell network isn't working here? I bought a deal In Portland and the guy said it would cover me nationwide. I think it was at t or something. I'm paying $ 50 a month for this. Icant get any signal but locals here can no problem. Tim do you remember the guy who sold it me? Maybe he knows what I have to do? I am sure its some kind of mix up my side but I have no clue how to get connected again. Can't call them either. Round here I could send smoke signals I guess lol!

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