Falling Down Fleecer

The Great Divide Route consists mostly of fire/forest service and old logging roads which make riding relatively easy. Things rarely get too technical. But today was different. Today we had to tackle the fabled Fleecer Ridge.

Having read through the entire Great Divide guidebook before leaving, we each knew Fleecer Ridge was one of the more technical sections of our entire trip. The book described a prolonged, steep uphill followed by a switchback-less descent down the face of the mountain. The uphill wasn’t bad. Though steep and heavily rutted, we spun our way to the top with no problems. Shrouded in clouds on top we made a small navigational error causing us to climb another 200 vertical feet (and above 8,000 ft for the first time on the trip) before realizing our mistake and returning to the route. On the right track again, we began our descent down Fleecer Ridge. The first mile, while somewhat steep, was safely rideable even with our heavy loads trying their best to test our brakes. The last quarter-mile was another story however. With our trailers attempting to zip around us (and consequently spin us 180°) and our brakes unable to do their intended job, we were forced to dismount and humbly walk our bikes down the remainder of the hill.

Back on our bikes, we cruised into Wise River, MT where we ate a quick lunch before setting off down the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway, and towards some ominous looking clouds. With our storm-dodging luck of yesterday used up, we were assaulted by pea-sized hail, cold rain and a fierce headwind before ducking under a lone pine tree for cover. Once the worst was over we pressed on, aided by a strong tailwind, up and over a pass, and to our stopping point of the night, Elkhorn Hot Springs, among other things a mecca for black velvet wildlife paintings.