The Genesee, Moscow, Juliaetta ride had been calling to me for well over a year. Bad weather on the Palouse (generally spelled W-I-N-D), winter, work, or last year's tour have kept me off it, and then last week when I wasn't sure I could return, the ride was dropped from the schedule!
It was another tough call to decide whether to ride Wawawaii/Pullman with the club or check out this ride. Working late with no notice I was going home, I got home late and slept in until nearly 7:00 PDT- some 2 hours after sunrise- my usual rising time. I ended up on the Mountain bike on that fat tire ride.
Central Grade is steep in case you're wondering- steeper than Coyote which is another option on mountain bikes that would take you to Genesee with just a few more miles. On the way up I held a gear in reserve- supposedly it's just for loaded touring. At the top, Lewiston's slightly overcast skies were gone, and dark gray greeted me. It was eery to took back toward Lewiston and see a line of light, but the storekeeper who could see the effect from his window in Genesee assured me it's not unusual. Old Hwy 95 out of Genesee follows the draw, is paved, and is a pleasure to ride in the beautiful bright spring green, the pavement stops 5 miles from the crest of Paradise Ridge where it begins again- just a long enough break in the pavement to ruin a good road ride! The dark clouds had brought some rain just before I got there, and the pavement was damp, but not so damp that the fenders couldn't protect me. From the top of Paradise Ridge to Moscow must be one of the better paved routes around Moscow- smooth pavement, great views, trees, and little traffic. The wind started blowing (from the West) as I descended, and I fought it into Moscow. Mickey D's gave me my periodic fix of Greek food.
The route took me back out to Paradise Ridge, but instead of crossing to the south, I headed up the North side and down it's east side. Yes, the wind continued, now at my back. The pavement continues for several miles as the draw deepens and the sides of the draw begin to grow trees, at first stunted Ponderosa Pine but as it deepens and provides trees protection from the sun, some nice timber grows. As the draw deepens, the tail-wind lessens. Just as I decided the "draw" had grown into a "canyon" with forested sides, the pavement ended, and then it was time to climb out of that canyon. The soil on top was rolling like the Palouse, but its color was pale brown not black/brown, and the crops weren't so good looking. I was out of the Palouse. However, I did have that familiar up and down of the Palouse until the top of Juliaetta Grade which is a great descent.
The ride from Juliaetta to Lewiston is familiar to you all but made slower on a mountain bike. The wind had pretty much blown itself out with breezes from all directions by the time I reached Juliaetta. Just as I got off my bike in Spalding Park, it started to rain. What to do? Crawl under a pic-nic table and contemplate my options with my eyes closed. It didn't rain long, the pic-nic table provided excellent shelter in the newly mowed lawn, and the quite woke me as the rain stopped!
This is a great ride, but by the time I was home, I'd clocked 93 miles on a moutain bike. I recommend all of it except the Juliaetta to Lewiston section which I don't know how to avoid. Some of you may want to do this entire ride, and others may like parts! Checking out new routes is always fun though I could have used some company!
SFC Largent
