Friday, April 8, 2011

Spokane and Palouse Ride Report

Here is the ride I took today and some pictures. There is a link to the whole album at the bottom of the post. It was a great ride and awesome to be in the sunshine under blue skies riding deserted roads and just racking up miles. People in general and cyclists in particular were friendlier that in PDX and I had some great little visits. One guy caught me on a hill and we rode together 5 or 6 miles. Turned out he was this guy Whose blog posts I have been following. I think an Elephant will be my next bike. Bill was riding his and I liked it. Sorry I didn't get a picture. A few pictures below the map:




 Starting out Heading South On Dishman-Mica Rd
 Going under the Tunnel on Sand Rd.


First View of the Palouse.

 An interesting contraption but I don't think I have the pistons for actually operating it.

 Riding some Gravel roads

 I couldn't pass up the challenge but my pannier fell off three times and I had to carry my bike over deep washouts (but very narrow) 4 times.


 It was probably not my wisest choice but it was sorta-fun and I proved I could do it!

 Palouse Country

 Creek off Jackson Creek Rd (? Jackson Creek?)  Beautiful through here.  This was just after a descent where I leveled out a bit and went to pedal but couldn't get anything going in top gear - maybe a bit fast for gravel.


 Still on Jackson creek road heading up out of the valley.

 Now back up on top on Chapel Valley Rd.

 Chapel Valley Road

 Hope Mountain Elevator

 Last Climb in the Palouse before big fast and fun descent to Hangman Creek on Chapel Valley Rd

 One last shot of the Palouse.

 Hangman Creek.


 MTB trails along High Drive in Spokane.





 Gonzaga!  Go Zags

 More Gonzaga.

 McCarthy Center - the Basketball Arena.

 High water on the Spokane River along the Centennial Trail and Upriver Drive.







Starting out on Dishman-Mica Rd. Heading south

The Album Link to All Pictures here