Today we cycled from the Tobacco River Campground to the Canadian border, and from there to the Stillwater Lake Campground on our way to Whitefish. The day was clouded. In the morning there was a partial blue sky in the east, but it did not reach us. We clouds, some rain, some hail, and some sun today. In the morning we rode paved roads to the border and Eureka. A little after Eureka we rode on gravel and double-track.
Riding statistics: on Sunday June 16, 2024, the 39th day on the Western Wildlands Route route, it took 09:25h (06:39h moving time), between 06:58 and 16:24, to cover 96 km (60 miles), including 1054 m (3458 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 14 km/h (9 mph). During today's ride the average temperature was 11 °C (52 °F) with a minimum of 7 °C (44 °F) and a maximum of 19 °C (68 °F).
Totals: So far, it took 12 days, 0 hours, 18 minutes and 2 seconds of cycling time to cover 4160 km (2585 miles), including 46804 m (153564 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 14.7 km/h (9.1 mph).
When we woke up this morning the sky was covered with clouds. The temperature was chilly but doable. First stint of the morning was to ride to the Canadian border to officially complete the Western Wildlands Route. The ride went without issues and the landscape changed from bigger mountains with pine trees to smaller, softer mountains with grass and occasional trees. At the other side of the valley it where big mountains agains. We rode through the valley towards the border. I recognized the whole route, and the border station from the previous time. We rode until the border sign, took our pictures, and went in the bar to chat with some other people. We also met another rider. He was one of the persons who started in the Tour Divide last Friday (time trial, mass start, every second Friday in June). The had rain and snow, difficult conditions. So we are lucky with our summer days, except for two on the route, and the last two days towards the airport where it will be colder but dry.
From the border we rode to the little tow. Of Eureka. Also that I remembered all. It brought back very fine memories. We ate a late breakfast at the Subway, and bought groceries at the supermarket.
We left Eureka the same way as the Great Divide route. There we met another man. He was also riding the Tour Divide. Wonderful person and we had nice conversation. He had his own little bike shop, and had a great bike.
Eventually we took another turn off, so we did not see any other bike-packers anymore. It was a great off-road path, so we enjoyed it a lot. We ran into a campground at the moment we were thinking to open our eyes for a good dispersed campsite. We checked the Stillwater Lake Campground, and it was perfect. Just after we setup camp, a wonderful couple from Canada (near Calgary) arrived in their VW campervan and setup camp next to us. We got to talk, and they offered us some drinks. We sat together at the fire and exchanged stories until it was bed time for us.
Western Wildlands Route: check. Parts used: 1 chain (replaced it to minimize wearing of the cassette), 1 set of brake pads (rear), and one zip tie. Very happy about that, couldn’t be much better. Tomorrow we continue to Whitefish.
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