DT introduced me to some pals of his that made the move to Spokane from Syracuse. We finally
connected for a ride today, they've only been here three weeks.
We decided not to do a "local" as you can do those any time, and although a guide is nice, really
all you have to do is go ride and you figure out the trails.
I thought it'd be fun and be scenic to head out Coeur d'Alene way for an afternoon cruise. My
thought was to go over to 257 and lap it a few times, 5 miles up a logging road and 2.5 of sweet
smooth down hill. A nice fall day, not real sunny but a nice temp, fall is just barely in the air.
Last time I did this there was snow on the road, none of the trees are turning yet. It's a nice
grade, we pedal and chat and identify trees and get all sweaty. The conversation runs the range
from tree ID to what's a good restaurant in town. At the top of the saddle where 257 turns off, we
decide to continue on the road, and take the trail that goes to the top of Mt CDA to summit, hoping
for a view.
In typical Idaho fashion we pass a couple of families firewood cutting, and one grouse hunter in
blaze orange (???!!!!!) Then to the summit trail, a nice smooth trail with a barely rideable even
grade. But...we get to the summit and there's a clearing, but so many trees you can't see anything!!
I was hoping for a real tour guide moment with the panorama... the lake, the various mountain ranges
and the scenic wheat country to the south. Oh well. Back down this trail to the logging road,
(fast!!) and then we have an Idaho moment, chatting with Ma and Pa who came up the back way on
another logging road, putting along on their 4 wheeler, and another couple moving back to the area.
The moment goes on for a while as grampa chats us up with explanations of how the roads all connect,
and general friendliness. My pals, being from NY are genuinely surprised at how friendly and mellow
everyone is. Gramps does mention that we should have gone up this other logging road and not the
trail to get to the "vista".
So we head back down, a few miles whizzing down the logging road, and then we pick up the
singletrack again... ah yes, just as I remember. Soft and sweet and twisty. Fast as you want it!!
But over way too soon.
Welcome to the west, guys!
photos, from last year. specialtyoutdoors.comcda.htmOpen ↗ ( if you read the page we did the
easy ride, not the death defying one)
penny