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Sunday, June 14, 2020

Cycling the Palouse

Despite talking with Jake about riding the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes during our irregular gaming sessions for at least five years, this week we made good on that goal.  Having not seen Jake since early January due to my broken leg and then COVID-19, our schedules and Mother Nature finally gave in.  Yes, we finally made the proposal stick.  The plan was to rendezvous at the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes' trailhead and take the trail to the small resort town of Harrison and back for a mid-afternoon ride.  Other than the seven mile descent to the lake from the trailhead (and ascent on the return), the route is primarily flat following an abandoned and converted rail line.  The planned round trip totaled 31 miles.  Actual miles logged were 38.  
The planned route
One of the highlights of the route is crossing Lake Coeur d'Alene on the old railroad bridge and causeway at about the eight mile marker.  The railroad bridge and causeway effectively segregates the top of the lake from the the remainder of the lake stretching to the north. 
Old Railroad bridge
Causeway
Being an old railway line, the route is flat as mentioned before.  Surrounded by mountains, there are a number of railroad cuts carved through the hills to maintain the desired grade.  These many cuts are narrow and, in places, dramatic.  A sampling of the railroad cuts are below.


As one would expect of a mountain lake in North Idaho, the scenery is beautiful and the weather pleasant.



We even came upon a number of fellow cyclists out for a ride.
The full Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes runs from the trailhead at Plummer, across Lake Coeur d'Alene and 73 miles to Mullan near the Montana border.  All is paved.  Following our brief stop at Harrison, rather than turning back for the return trip, we pushed on north for a few more miles.  After returning to out starting point at the trailhead, talk turned toward doing this again on a more regular interval; more frequently than once every five years.  The next goal is to take the trail from Plummer to the Cataldo Mission.  That ride would be about 75 miles roundtrip.  I cannot remember the last time I road 75 miles in a single day.

Reaching the trailhead at Plummer is about equidistant for us.  I have a 45 minute drive south from Spokane while Jake has a 45 minute drive north from Moscow.  Once on the trail, with beautiful scenery and good companionship, the miles clicked by with little effort.  This was a good afternoon out on the bike.  I look forward to the next time.

40 comments:

  1. Great you were both able to get out and enjoy a good days bike road in wonderful scenery. Sadly our local bike route on an old railway line is rather like a 'motorway' at present, so not exactly safe in Covid-19 terms. When it all settles down I look forward to riding it again.

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    1. Yes, it was great to be out with a cycling companion. Traffic was light on the trail but it was mid-week. The situation might be very different on the weekend. hope you are able to get out on your bike soon.

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  2. That looks a beautiful ride. I’ve got “don’t fence me in” going around my head now.

    The lake looks inviting too.

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    1. The trail covers some beautiful territory, for sure. I am anxious to tackle the longer ride.

      The lake is very inviting but much too early in the season to test the temperatures of the water. Brrr.

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  3. Beautiful, although I am exhausted just thinking of biking it.

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    1. First time this year for me to put in at least 38 miles into the legs in 2020. I put in 25 miles the following day and the body felt good!

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  4. Great bike ride mate and a fantastic way to come out of Covid-19 hibernation. Love the scenery. Cheers Greg

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    1. This route is a perfect way to come out of COVID hibernation. We really were in hibernation, weren't we?

      Lovely scenery, for sure.

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  5. A great ride, and looks like some decent climbs too.

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    1. The seven mile ascent from the lake to the trailhead is a long slog. Everything is pretty much flat.

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  6. Overnnighted near Coer d'Alene years ago on my drive out to the West Coast: your picutres bring back just how stunning that region is. Wonderful way to mark recovery from your injury: thanks for sharing.

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    1. The area is full of natural beauty and offers a pleasant place to cycle. When was the last time you made the trip out west, Ed?

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    2. I was driving cross country from training at Fort Knox to my next assignment at Fort Lewis Washington. That was in 1985--I recall the majestic herds of mastadons that could be seen grazing near the freeway then.

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    3. Long overdue for another trip out west!

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  7. Lovely looking scenery and glad your leg is fully recovered!
    Best Iain

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    1. Hi Iain, I am still not convinced the leg will ever completely recover. At least, that is what friends and physicians suggest. The strength has returned and the injury does not hamper cycling. It does making walking around later more difficult...

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  8. Great photos - it's lovely to see stuff like this. Glad your leg is getting better, too.

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    1. Glad you enjoyed my little outing on the bike, Tony! This route is a favorite but one that I cannot schedule regularly. I need to work on that.

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  9. Lovely looking countryside Jonathan...

    All the best. Aly

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  10. Great effort Jonathan, and the weather looks very nice indeed.

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    1. Thanks, Lawrence. The weather was unsettled with chance of showers. We avoided getting wet on the ride but encountered a thunderstorm while driving home.

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    1. Happy you enjoy the scenery from my part of the world, Michal!

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  12. Astounding scenery! Glad you have recovered well enough to go on these impressive trips!

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  13. Pleased to see that you broke out of your COVID incarnation, Jonathan. Things have returned to normal here, including the return of our traffic woes of old. The only restriction we have now is at the borders, that remain closed.

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    1. Life here is still not back to normalcy. Restrictions continue while our phased approach to reopening keeps hitting bumps along the way. Good to see that you have made it through this ordeal.

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  14. Glad you got to enjoy some of your outdoor hobby. I got tired just reading about it. I might go lay down. 😀

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  15. It's great that you are able to enjoy this type of activity despite the stay at home order you are currently living under Jonathon. You live in a beautiful part of the country obviously.

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    1. Few restrictions on outdoor activities is one beacon of light in this event. This was the first time I have gone out cycling with a companion and it was great. The State of Idaho, in which this ride took place, has lifted all restrictions. My State of Washington is remains in Phase 3.

      The Northwest is a beautiful place.

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  16. Very nice 30plus fairly flat miles (in my dreams) good to see you out and about.

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    1. A 30+ mile flat ride is uncommon for me too. Living on a plateau, I typically have an 800 foot descent at the beginning of my workout and an 800 foot climb at the end no matter which way I head out. Still even driving 40 miles to reach the trailhead, the 7 mile, 800 foot descent to reach the flat lake trail meant a reciprocal 800 foot climb back out.

      Your cycling country certainly looks tempting.

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  17. Glad you are able to get back to your cycling. Northern Idaho looks rather lovely. My wife and I hope to move nearer Boise in 3-5 years - we want out of California.

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    1. Boise is a pleasant city. Good infrastructure, clean, and lots of activities. I grew up in the area and my parents and siblings are still there.

      Best of luck in escaping CA!

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  18. Some beautiful terrain to cycle through.

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