TaterTOT 2019, aka TOT XIII was a huge success

Paula & I traveled to TaterTOT in Kellogg, Idaho again this year, making it my sixth year, and Paula’s fifth. The event has been a yearly happening for thirteen years. It's an informal gathering of friends from around the US and Canada who share a passion for recumbent riding -- both trikes and two wheelers. TOT stands for Trike Optional Transportation. Tater represents Idaho.

We began a few days early with friends, by camping in Cataldo at the Kahnderosa Kampground, and then moved to the Fairbridge Hotel in Kellogg which hosted the event.

I did the Hiawatha ride again this year, that I’ll display photos of in the next blog. Paula & I both did rides to Mullan, the hill climb to Dobson Pass, west on the trail from Cataldo, and west from Harrison to Plummer. Paula totaled 260 miles for the event, while I logged 218 miles. She rode further on the day I did the Hiawatha.  Ah well, we had fun.

Here are some photos.

Here is a partial shot of the Mullan riders in our group: Paula, Brian and Paul. E-assist was a contributor to our early arrival.

After the climb to Mullan, we returned to Wallace to the City Limits Pub for lunch. Next we had to stop into Wallace Brewing to fill our growler. While there Brian, Carol and I played a round of Jenga, while Paula and Russell played pool. A good time was had by all.

The next day Paula, Rolf, Diane, Russell, Brian and I climbed Dobson Pass. Sorry I didn't take any photos today. The conditions were favorable for climbing the 2200 feet to the top; not too hot, not too cool. Unfortunately Brian had a mechanical issue that forced him to stop. The rest of us made it. I climbed better than last year thankfully, but all of us arrived with dripping sweat. On the way down I maxed out at 48.3 mph. It is a very technical descent at the top, but after several tight curves, it descends with less turns down to the river, leading back to the Snake Pit where some stopped for lunch. Russell showed us the Old River Road that is gravel in some area and travels on the right side of the river. We got to see lovely views of the river and campgrounds along the whole length.

On Wednesday our crew that climbed from Harrison to Plummer: Kim, Paula, Rolf, Diane, Sile, and Carol. And, of course me.

 

 

This is a bridge abuttment and bridge on the way up the hill to Plummer. It's been there a while. Hopefully for many years to come...

Mile 0 on the 72 mile trail. Guess who...

This is the monument built by the Native American Tribe as a tribute to their fallen heros from WWI forward. While at the top, many had lunch. Here Kobe is letting Kim know he needs lunch too.

Steve Sussman, Paula, Diane & Rolf, Kim, Sile, and Carol on the way down from Plummer. Of course I chose to be first down so that I could take photos and go as fast as conditions allowed. This time I hit 28.5 mph. Not as fast as the descent down from Dobson Pass, but pretty good... Ice cream awaited all of us in Harrison upon our return.

We're all ready for TOT next year!

Pulaski Tunnel Trail - a hike

On one of the days before the TaterTOT began, we took a hike on the Pulaski Tunnel Trail. This trail was the route Ed Pulaski took during the 1910 Big Burn Fire that took out the entire valley. To see full details of this huge fire, check out the book or documentary, both called ‘The Big Burn’.

This hike was two miles in both directions to highlight the mine tunnel that Pulaski took his team to, so that they could survive the fire. While a strenuous climb up and down, it was beautiful. We did it early in the day. There is a stream that stays close to the trail for its entire length. I decided to highlight the water along the route, so captured these photos.  See what you think...

 

The Trail of the Hiawatha

The Trail of the Hiawatha is an unpaved trail with many tunnels and trestles. The first tunnel is over a mile long, so good bicycle lights are required. I did this trail again this year so I could take friends who had never done it before. Conditions change throughout this 15 mile trail (one direction) because the tunnels weep from the walls and ceilings, as does the elevation down the trail. Bicycling is not difficult as the trail used to be for a rail line, so has a maximum grade of 3%.

This year my friends rode down with me, and while they took the shuttle bus back to the top, I rode back up on my trike. My trike is a bit large and heavy for the shuttle bus, so I figured I'd just turn up the power and bicycle back up. I had a great time getting filthy by creating four foot rooster tails of water off my tires inside the tunnels. Without front fenders, the trike and I wore much of the mud I kicked up. When I returned to the hotel, people wanted to know what color my trike was, as the mud color is not a factory produced color. With effort I got it back to its pretty green. :-)

This time on the way back up I took pictures of all the plaques and trestle name plates in among the scenery shots. I've placed them in order from top to bottom. See what you think.