Day 2:

• We returned a few weeks later to conduct a tour ride on the Alternate Fish Creek GDMBR Route since we abandoned the Primary Rail Trail Route.
• We departed the Primary GDMBR Route because it was NO LONGER in a Natural State, it had been abused by ATV Riders with deep rut cuts both on and off the trail and the Trail Maintenance Division of the State of Idaho re-filled the deep rut cuts with BB sized Cinder Fill, thus un-wittingly keeping Touring Bicycles off the trail.
• Fish Creek Road is a beautiful alternative and the Adventure Cycling Association should consider making it the Primary Route in lieu of the Rail Trail Route.
• We did run into some of the same Cinder Fill on the Alternate Route, and we walked our bike for a short distance but it was nothing like what we saw on the rail trail.
• Other than Birds, we saw no wild life, but we saw Deer and Bear Scat on the roadway.
• There is virtually NO Water between Big Springs and Fish Creek. A rider has to carry enough water OR scoop away pond scum in just a few locations for a little bit of stagnant water inbetween the two main water locations of Big Springs and Fish Creek.
• Running low on water near the end of the day, we were smart enough to ask a passing ATV couple if that had any water to spare. They gave us about a gallon of water and a frosty cold bottle of root beer.

Day 2 - The GDMBR Alternate Route between Big Springs and Fish Creek, Idaho

Above Left: We were parked and readying our tandem bicycle directly across from where we visited last time to ride the GDMBR Primary Route (the Rail Trail). However, this time our intention was to ride the GDMBR Alternate Route which travels through the Village of Big Springs (only a few miles ahead), Fish Creek Road, and eventually to Cave Falls Road (to re-join the Main GBMBR Route).

Above Right: Terry Struck is assembling packed components to mount to the Bee, a Tandem Mountain Bike.

Above Left: The Bee was ready with 7 liters of water (it was not enough water).

Above Right: We were pedaling.

Above Left: The parked cars were at the Big Springs Trail Head.

Above Right: This bridge and water way, which becomes Henry's Fork, were popular tourist destinations. People came from miles around to feed big fat Trout.

Above Left: We were following the Map's Yellow Route (NOT the Red Route).

Above Right: This is a Doppler Radar used for watching the local weather. We cycled by this Radar Unit about 3 weeks ago on the other side of this mountain, see Doppler Radar (5 June 2016).

Above Left: A Half-Moon is visible in the day sky.

Above Right: We have reached the turn-off for Fish Creek Road.

Above Left: This was the LAST WATER that we would see for the next 24 hours.
We had no idea or we would have carried more water.
.
Above Right: We are on a Snow Mobile winter trail #62 as well as NF-292.

Above Left: Finally, confirmation that we are on NF-292.

Above Right: These Wild Geraniums looked vivid.

Above Left: Some ATV's went by us, they slowed down for us but very quickly they got back to speed.
In about 5 hours some ATV'ers are going to save our lives by giving us some water. ATV'ers (all people) are biker buddies if you know how to be polite and courteous.

Above Right: During the Winter there is about 3 yards/meters of snow on the ground and the warning sign sticks up 1 to 2 yards/meters from the snow base level.

Above Left: We're going left. We are watching for water but all the creeks have been dry except for one creek near Big Springs.

Above Right: We were traveling on nice dirt roads until we turned on NF-291 (to Fish Creek Road). Now we are on a road that has been spot treated with Cinder Fill (already my new road fill to dislike). We had to push our bike in a few locations although none of this activity is as bad as it was on the Old Rail Trail (on the Primary GDMBR Route).

Above Left: Yellow Daisies.

Above Right: These ATV'ers and Dirtbike Riders stopped to chat. They were from Idaho but not from nearby. I told them about the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route and they seemed a little familiar (maybe from seeing cyclists). They were nice young men.

Above Left: It is Chick Mountain and Chick Pass, our only real climb for the day.

Above Right: A particularly vivid batch of Paint Brush (both Red and Yellow [rare]) and Penstemon (Blue).

Above: Climbing Chick Mountain (my name, we were at the head of Chick Creek, now dry).

Above Left: A view from our mountain climb.

Above Right: A new type of flower to us.

Above: Climbing Chick Mountain.

Above Left: We were near the Chick Mountain crest. It was geting late in the day and we had not seen any water.

Above Right: We're turning right on NF-082. This road is also Snow Mobile Road #70.

Above Left: We're southbound on NF-082 and it will be mostly downhill.

Above Right: We stopped these ATV'ers and asked them if they had any water to spare. They gave us about a galon of water and a frosty cold root beer. We thanked them profusly!

Above Left: We cycled another 8 miles or so and came upon the paved part of Fish Creek Road. We never saw any good water, we did pass by some very evil looking stagnant water. Then we traveled another 8 miles on the paved Fish Creek Road and then set up a dry camp.

Above Right: This image is from the next day, we had pitched our tent in this same field on the left hand side.