COLUMBIA PLATEAU - Cycling USA (Ep29) - Bicycle Touring Documentary - Spokane to Sprague, WA

I start a spectacular day riding the Columbia Plateau Trail. Being under repair, it was coarse and difficult to get thru. The amazingly beautiful scenery made up for it as it is one of the most impressive trails I ride this summer. The end of the day rewards me with a newly paved road that takes me to Sprague and Sprague Motel where I spend the night. The next day I continue westward using frontage roads and Interstate 90 once again. Subscribe to see what other adventures I get myself into as I travel with my touring bicycle for 4,000 miles and thru 14 states before reaching the West Coast during these 11 weeks of summer.
To support my bicycle touring adventures go to: / flyscoutryder
Music: (Song, Artist)
*Link to playlist below
Sun Through the Clouds, Mike Stringer
www.epidemicso...

[@turner14108]

Met this guy on the Erie canal today. He's a pretty cool dude.

[@FlyscoutRyder]

Hey Matthew. Thanks for commenting on my channel. Hope you stick around and check out the prior episodes. Many more miles of this amazing country ahead of us. Its an endless supply of adventure

[@dog-so1vj]

You are absolutely right. Sometimes the old school small town are the best.

[@FlyscoutRyder]

I agree. They have that feel of back in the day that is so comforting

[@andrewcarlson1867]

Riding through boarded up main streets and businesses can be a bit sad at times.. I always wondered how it must have been on a Saturday or Sunday when all the folks that lived close by came into town to shop and socialize…

[@FlyscoutRyder]

Bicycle touring allows you to see way more than usual by riding thru so many rural towns. There are lots of semi abandoned places in this country. These towns make do though by providing what is needed for the demand that is there. Sprague, WA for instance, as far as I saw, has a functioning motel, and I convenient store that was full of everything you'd need. People I met there were very friendly and seemed happy to live there

[@jackfarris7056]

I too love those little Mom and Pop motels off the beaten path in quiet towns as long as the management is vigilant in keeping out the drug and sex traffic.

[@FlyscoutRyder]

Definitely. This one was so sketchy looking that I rode past it and was close to camping in the city park. Then thought better of it and went back to it. I was pleasantly surprised as you watched. Take care

[@tjmcdonald4747]

I admire you for riding the Columbia Plateau Trail. I rode the first 20 something miles riding out of Pasco. I gave up and bailed to the road when I hit the course railroad ballast. It's super pretty.

[@FlyscoutRyder]

It really was. That tour was 2021. I would have guessed it got finished by now. I loved every bit of it. Im touring across from east to west recording season 4. Hope you stick around to watch it. Thanks for watching

[@twhis9843]

Eastern Washington is awesome bike country. Not much traffic and as interesting geology as you can find.

[@PumpkinVillage]

Another good ride and a porcupine too boot. Most small towns are great. Need larger tires myself for trails. Will be interesting to see what your next adventure will be. Take care and stay safe, Al

[@FlyscoutRyder]

Thanks Al. Porcupine was so cool. Im currently riding west again from Boston and almost to Buffalo, NY. A few days ago in Vermont, I caught a black bear on video crossing SR7. So cool to see wildlife while riding the bike. Im heading to Wisconsin riding the west coast of MI and over Lake Michigan. Then to North Dakota and after that Im not sure if I'll go to Glacier or go straight south to CO then west to California. We'll see. Season 2 on the way. Having a blast on the Empire State Trail. Three more episodes to finish season 1. Stay tuned and thank you for watching

[@PumpkinVillage]

@@FlyscoutRyder Sounds like another good ride. Went right by my place in Vermont. Love biking here. Take care, Al

[@FlyscoutRyder]

@@PumpkinVillage Miss VT. Im on the flats and its fun but love those hills. Season 2 Episode 2 is done but five weeks from now. Hope you stick around to watch your backyard

[@Bunny-Power]

$66 - that is ridiculously expensive. I haven't spent close to that at any place in Europe. And they usually include an all you can eat breakfast buffet (real breakfast). Even in Germany I payed about half of that for most places (and yes, including that awesome breakfast). I experienced this fenced private property in California a lot. Did even set up my tent at the side of the road. Bicycle touring in the USA is so much harder. And we ride 4" wide tires. Perfect for off-road and they also work well on paved roads 😉

[@ranxxerox6407]

Hey Frank, the strip of land between the road and the fence, is this classed as Nomansland? I.e. USA State law? I’m curious as one of my planned trips (not right now) will be to cycle across America from Yorktown to San Francisco, and I’ve got a say my main concern isn’t the traffic (I live in England so we are used to it on small roads) my concern is where to camp.

[@Bunny-Power]

@@ranxxerox6407 Yes, that is the main challenge. I did even camp like a homeless in the bushes by the fence of a golf course next to a bike path. In San Francisco you can camp and poop on the sidewalk anywhere if you want to blend in 😂 You will only be missing your bike the next morning. Regarding the land between road and fence, sometimes you see those patches at overpasses or intersections. If it is not too busy there, it is safe.

[@FlyscoutRyder]

Yes you are certainly right about the difficulty in camping or even affordable places to stay overnight in the US but there are certain rides that have insane ease of finding great camping like the Empire State Trail Im riding on right now. Lots of friendly tones along the Erie Canal that allow camping in great settings. Also Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska were great. Motels and Hotels are always in that $100 range. That $66 was rare. Thanks for your comment. Can't wait to go ride Europe. I grew up going to France and Spain to visit family but never have ridden it.

[@Bunny-Power]

@@FlyscoutRyder You should go there, you will love it. I am going back for 3 weeks bicycle touring in Germany and Poland this month.

[@FlyscoutRyder]

@@Bunny-Power sounds fun. Enjoy and let us know how it goes and where we can see some pics or vids

[@ranxxerox6407]

Yet again a great video with beautiful scenery where the horizon seems to go on forever. I’m the last part of your video you had to take the highway, as I’ve been trying to figure out your route using Google Maps while I’m watching a video I noticed lots of smaller roads going from east to west where are these roads not available?

[@FlyscoutRyder]

The reason I ended up on I-90 is because I had been on it since Garrison, MT and from there to Coeur d'Alene its actually spectacular to be on. I was in a bit of a time crunch also so I rode myself right into that scenario in Spokane. It's definitely dangerous but I felt reasonably safe b being calm and paying lots of attention. I also tried to get off the coarse graveled trail but when I tried I ran into longer weaving roads that would have taken a lot longer. Logistics in bicycle touring are always different and you end up contending with multiple variables that make you decide what to take. It is an organic process and a huge part of the attraction to doing it.

[@FlyscoutRyder]

Im on the Empire State Trail heading to Buffalo and I will be editing as I go. Planning on taking a couple of days off in Niagara after two weeks straight since leaving Boston so as to edit and schedule uploads of season 2. Im having a blast and recording it. Vermont was insane with heavy grades and superb downhills. Three more episodes left to finish last year's crossing. Thanks for reaching out

[@slowp100]

There is even a badly surfaced bike trail across the state to use. But, it has a few detours but none on I-90 until the Columbia River, where one should hitch a ride as the bridge has no shoulder or sidewalk. This fall, a bridge for trail users should be open for use to get across the Columbia.

[@FlyscoutRyder]

@@slowp100 I went over the Vantage Bridge and drivers were kind. The Ryegrass Pass is legit, though. Drops into Ellensburg. Beautiful ride

[@Punkyrooster6]

I got to give it to you, you’re tough as nails. That trail is uncomfortable, rode it many times but you keep a positive attitude and keep peddling. Good on you, man!

[@FlyscoutRyder]

Thank you, Tim. Not sure why that is but I love struggles. They offer easy rewards if you see the upside and are willing to power thru

[@brianbassettnumber1]

Bigger tires means more rolling resistance. You have a great start for a long-distance tour bike. There are times I wish I was riding a lumbering ox SUV fat tire bike but not even close to the majority of the time.

[@FlyscoutRyder]

That's the thing about bicycle touring, gotta have the versatility. One mile you're in a highway and then onto gravel or who knows what. Rolling resistance is always on my mind.

[@etthealienouttheresomewher1296]

Love your videos, a good combination of great scenery and interesting info, I hope you enjoyed that part of Washington, you were on the edge of the Palouse, the rolling wheat country, it has a special beauty, I went to school at WSU 40 years ago and still love the Palouse landscape. Your enthusiasm is wonderful to see, keep enjoying your ride and stay safe.

[@FlyscoutRyder]

Thank you. Yes, that area between Spokane and Ellensburg is so amazing. And all else you are referring to that I didn't get to see. So much beauty out there. I could ride in circles. Next episode is crossing the Columbia River and riding over Ryegrass Pass. I think about it often. Great memories are so there for us to create on the two wheels...

[@paperboi4311]

Flyscout Ryder, great progress Bruddah! Keep it up! Highways suck big time. It's saddening that there may not be other potential secondary roads with better safety that go the same way. Do you ever think about using high visibility gear? I am considering some sort of horizontal safety flag set up attached to back rack to alert drivers and stick out 6"-8" from widest point. Do you think a fluorescent safety triangle on back of the rack is worth it? I see wind drag as substantial. But I see high speed highway traffic as a bigger danger than a little wind drag. Do you recommend hi-vis safety vests and bright colored hi-vis flags a way to lessen danger on those sketchy sections?

[@FlyscoutRyder]

There were likely other roads I just ended up there because I had been on it since Garrison, MT and from there to Coeur d'Alene its actually spectacular to be on. I was in a bit of a time crunch also so I rode myself right into that scenario in Spokane. High vis gear makes total sense. I actually like wearing white in contrast to black or gray ut reflective gear is a great idea. I also always have my rare and head lights on and get compliments all the time about how far people see me coming from. My front hub dynamo powers them. A florescent triangle would be great too. If any of these measures make you feel safer on the road then I'd say they should go on the bike. One thing I always try avoid is riding at night or late in the day in high traffic areas.

[@hugomatado2260]

Hi Diego, awesome episode! What size tires were you running?

[@FlyscoutRyder]

I use 1.75 Schwalbe Marathon Mondials. It's the widest tire that I can fit on my bicycle. I'm currently having a bike built by Co-Motion that will allow for over 2" tires. Can't wait.

[@bikedad7432]

Another great video! Consider a fat bike! All terrain versatility.

[@FlyscoutRyder]

A fat bike on that trail would have been great but I need something more versatile that can do climbing and downhilling and everything else. A bit wider tire on my bike would work but the frame is to narrow. I have the widest I can put on it

[@davidgray9743]

Excellent video bud!

[@FlyscoutRyder]

Thanks D. Im on it as usual. In Spencerport, NY 80n miles from Niagara Falls. Can't Wait!!!

[@gmun8818]

Thanks for the great video. I've been wanting to ride it but wasn't sure about how rough it was.

[@FlyscoutRyder]

It was rough when I did it last October 2020. Hopefully its done now. What a beautiful trail. Let me know if you go do it.

[@BluecollarBackcountry]

Great ride in this video Diego. I like staying in the old out of the way motels too. Like the old motor courts, they used to call them. Lifting your bike over the fence reminded me of losing my Sony camera in the Gulf of Mexico because mine wasn't fastened either. Your getting there ✌ P.S. what size tires are you running?

[@FlyscoutRyder]

Too bad about your camera. I hate loosing things and the camera has memories in it to boot. My tires are 700c x 40. I believe that's about 1.74" and I would like to have 2.25" tires but my frame won't take any bigger then I already have.

[@al-du6lb]

Awesome. Where are you from originally?

[@FlyscoutRyder]

I was born in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. Raised in the Florida Keys. Hungry to see as much of the planet as possible while I can. Thanks for checking out the channel.

[@al-du6lb]

@@FlyscoutRyder What place has had the best biking so far?

[@dog-so1vj]

Did you have to filter any water on your journey?

[@FlyscoutRyder]

I carry a filtration kit all the time but have never needed to use it. I carry two bottles and a large Nalgene container plus if I know Im ridding a long ways I strap a gallon jug to my back rack

[@dog-so1vj]

@@FlyscoutRyder ok. Was just wondering. It looks pretty dry out there in certain areas. I carry either a Sawyer or a Lifestraw in my emergency kit. Like you, I've never needed either of them yet.

[@al-du6lb]

What size tires are running here?

[@FlyscoutRyder]

Tires are 700c Schwalbe Marathon Mondial DD with tubes. Tubes have 4 to 6oz of sealant in them. Rims are Astral Radiant. Front hub is a SON Dynamo and rear is DT Swiss 240.

[@douglasbracken7562]

Were you able to get a new bike this year?

[@FlyscoutRyder]

Not yet. I could have but I didn't want to leave Scout behind. I really enjoy my bicycle even though I will most likely be getting a new rig for next year with serious upgrading. For now, I have about 5,000 more miles to ride on it and happy to do it.