I have been on this bike tour by Row Adventures two other times. Steve did those with me – now I am solo but still with friends!

Here’s a couple of links from the previous year’s Day 1.

2021 – https://amboomerwilltravel.com/2021/07/27/bike-tour-day-1-26-july-2021/

2022 – https://amboomerwilltravel.com/2022/09/06/bike-tour-2-day-1-september-5-2022/

We meet our tour guides at 8:30 AM to hear about the tour. Our guides are Cole and Elijah. Cole is from Coeur d’Alene and Elijah is from LA. This is their second tour of the season.

Our luggage is loaded on the trailer and we pile in the van for a 30 minute drive to the start for our first leg of the ride. The weather is perfect – cool mornings, 80’s in the day and low humidity.

There is so much beauty to see but I promise myself not to take too many pictures since I’ve come this way before. Always take one picture of an outhouse – usually clean quite nice on this trail.

We pass a site where the CCC had a camp. Stop for pictures and to read the history on the placards.

A stop under a bridge before we have to cross above to the connect to the trail again. We continue on the trail back to Spokane for lunch at the Clinkerdagger Restaurant where we had dinner the other night.

After lunch we ride in the van to start on the trail and skip the part of the trail that takes you on a busy highway. Thank goodness as this is where I fell the last time I did this ride!

Our guide Elijah follows in the rear to help if anyone has any issues along the trail. Funny thing is he fell off his bike – no injuries, but it validates – people fall off their bikes on occasion.

The trail follows the river and since it is summer, there is more activity on the river – kayaks, rafts, and swimmers enjoying the crystal clear water. As we get closer to Coeur d’Alene, signs of the increase in population are evident. I notice there are now signs posted along the trail with rules due to more cyclists and walkers and more apartment buildings including a new one under construction….sign of the times.

Just before we meet back the van for our ride to our hotel, there is a historical marker declaring an event from 1858 between the Native Americans and Col. George Wright’s 700 soldiers. They capture the Native American’s horses in two battles and slaughtered the 800 horses. Definitely a sad, memorable event in history.

End of the trail and check into the hotel and relax. Meet up in the lobby for a briefing for tomorrow’s plan and then for a delicious dinner at Bradenay Restaurant and Distillery. Back in my room by 9:15 pm to crash. A great first day!