Author Archives: scottluria

West Yellowstone to Big Sky, Montana. Thursday, July 13, 2024. I surprised myself in my college, which was all about science and technology, by falling hard for Shakespeare, particularly Shakespearean tragedy. We studied the four major tragedies and discussed how each of their heroes had a fatal flaw. Macbeth had ambition; Othello, jealousy; Lear, insecurity/egotism;Continue reading “Fatal flaw?”

Ashton, Idaho to West Yellowstone, Montana. Wednesday, June 12, 2024. Another sunny day on US 20, another brisk tailwind. I passed a sign that reiterated what I discussed yesterday and got a prettier picture of them rising over Henry’s Fork The day began with a sharp hill, 6% grade, but I can manage if IContinue reading “Gateway town”

Idaho Falls to Ashton, Idaho. Tuesday, June 11, 2024 OK, I’m not proud of this. After yesterday‘s wonderful–but–grueling day, I just decided to just let the wind blow me up US 20, rather than taking a longer bike route, which would’ve shown me more of the back roads. Much of it was a limited-access highway,Continue reading “The Back Side of the Tetons”

Arco to Idaho Falls, Idaho Monday, June 10, 2024. Dedicated followers of this blog may remember my delight on finding “Easter eggs”—unexpected bits of wonderfulness. From the free upgrade to a penthouse suite in Chicago, to a private tour of Bob Dylan’s boyhood home in Hibbing, to all the wonderful friends, family, and Warmshowers hostsContinue reading “The Mother of all Easter Eggs”

MacKay to Arco, Idaho. Sunday, June 9, 2024. Easy day today, after yesterday’s suffer-fest. Downhill all the way, smooth shoulders, gentle tailwind, only 27 miles. A big storm and wind shift was brewing, but not until 10 AM, so I left early. Took advantage of the time zone difference to call Brian, Jane, and sisterContinue reading “Atomic City”

Challis to MacKay, Idaho. Saturday, June 8, 2024 This was to be the biggest day in quite a while. Climbing over another high mountain pass, and then heading up to the trailhead of Borah Peak, highpoint of Idaho. The climb up to Willow Creek Summit was not as steep as some have been, but unrelentingContinue reading “Borah! Borah! Borah!”

Challis, Idaho. Friday, June 7, 2024. The weather and my state of exhaustion weren’t conducive to making the big ride today, so I’m taking another rest day. Ah, the joys of retirement. I caught up on my sleep, got supplies, confirmed logistics, and watched a great movie that I wanted to share with you. ForContinue reading “Fight no more forever”

Salmon to Challis, Idaho. Thursday, June 6, 2024. You’d think I would know better, after all these decades of touring. Today was going to be such a pleasant ride. 60 miles and 2,300 feet of climbing, sure, but following the Salmon River and with a nice tail wind all day. I took my time leavingContinue reading “Don’t count your chickens”

Sula, Montana to Salmon, Idaho. Wednesday, June 5, 2024. I went to college surrounded by engineers. I was even going to be an electrical engineer myself, until I changed to biology. In the early 70s, engineers were a dime a dozen, so the field did not seem particularly glamorous. It wasn’t until I graduated thatContinue reading “Civil engineering”

Hamilton to Sula, Montana Tuesday, June 4, 2024. Today would be the easiest of the next four days, no major climbs, just 36 miles; would’ve liked to go further, but that’s how the lodging worked out. There was a big challenge today, however, 7 miles of a scary twisty road, busier US 93 this time,Continue reading “Shoulder strategies”