August 17, The Climb, Sula to Wisdom, 40 miles

Got a good early start, loaded up with pb&j sandwiches and started up the climb. The first few miles are easy but pretty quickly we run into the “chain up area” alongside the road. We have learned in this ride that those signs always mean the beginning of hard work and this time it is really the case. Sula is at about 4500 feet of elevation. We climb first thru “Lost Trail Pass” at 6990 feet (named by Lewis & Clark as they repeated lost the Nez Perce Trail they were trying to follow over into present day ID) and then the Chief Joseph Pass at 7241 feet of elevation which will also mark the continental divide. So we climb 2700 feet in about 9 miles. My inclinometer says we are riding at a 7% grade, popping to 9% and then to 11%. This is really hard going and I also feel some effect of the altitude, in that when I get winded it’s hard to come back. About 2/3s of the way up we begin to be passed by a number of riders who are not carrying any gear and soon find out there is a supported group ride of The Cascades Bike Club out of Seattle following the same course we are. They have a supported lunch waiting at the rest area at the top of the first pass and have invited us to join them there. Very nice. It seems like it takes a lifetime but we made the first pass, took a break with the Cascade group and hen head out for the final climb. We reached the continental divide and stop for pictures. Some well deserved celebration follows.
After that we enjoyed a long soft descent (good, we’re not giving up everything we just gained) and work our ways towards Wisdom, MT., our target for the night. Wisdom is pretty small and, no surprise, the Cascade group has taken up every available room and camp site in the area other than in a true dump called “Clem’s Coyote RV and Camping”. We take it out of desperation and take a very poor shower but get a very good dinner at Big Hole Crossing Restaurant. Settle in for the night, exhausted but very proud of ourselves.