With Dave and Steve both cancelling out, I was surprised to see Steve call for the Hubbard Gulch ride since we had done it just last Saturday.

It is a wonderful ride. A steep climb out of Culdesac leads to about 8 miles of easy riding through Cottonwood Creek drainage. This is a pretty little valley with little traffic and pleasant stands of trees. We often see a flock of wild turkeys through here. I was afraid this would be a difficult ride in reverse but the fall is so gentle I enjoy it both ways.

This road empties out on the Gifford-Reubens road just above highway 12. Instead of going West, we turn East for 2 miles to Cherry Lane Bridge. Much of the two miles is actually three lane road and good shoulder. Too bad the only option is Cherry Lane and Hubbard Gulch. That gulch road is 3 miles of steady climbing much like the Troy Grade out of Kendrick. Steve likes the variety of scenery and says he doesn't mind the climb. I'm pretty pleased to be at the top.

There really is a top to this hill. If you don't stop you find yourself immediately on a steep slope again. Today we could see snow falling in the Craig Mountains. Not a day for the Winchester Century for sure.

We enjoy lunch at Zoe's Cafe in Kendrick though I miss sitting in the Kendrick City Park sipping a Sobe. One day we'll try to extend this ride by making the second climb up Troy Grade and on to Moscow. Now that I've suggested it, I'm sure Steve will have it on the ride schedule before long.

The day was colder than expected but also less windy. We took off our jackets for the ride back to town. We are losing faith in the weather forecasts.

Last week we had a tailwind into Lewiston and blue skies. Steve wasn't able to resist taking us to a full century. Today, the skies were dark and rainy. The best option for completing the century was going to be up Lindsay Creek and that wasn't going to leave much time for my final 5 mile ride home. Steve said, "Let's go home." You heard it here. Steve opted for less than a century. Now that's blogworthy.