DAY 8
Ontario OR to Boise ID
June 23
Distance: 62 Miles Climbing:  2730 Feet Winds: Light
Weather: Sunny and warm...60 at departure and mid 80s by afternoon Terrain: Rolling

Today's Report: 

WOW...what a perfect day to ride a bike.  The sun was shining, the winds were light and if any, behind us.  And guess what...tomorrow we take a little time off the bike and do some sightseeing...or rest...which is a good thing.  It was pretty hectic this morning as it seems to be every morning with this many people, but everyone finally got on the road before the traffic got too heavy in front of the motel.

Today we entered our second state...Idaho.  Karen and I left the motel near the end of the group and by the time we got to the state line (which was only a little over a mile from the motel) there were several standing around taking the usual photos to record the event.  From there we meandered out of town with a small group until we got to a photo op near a farm.  There we split since I stop to take several photos.  No one wants to stop as many times as I do...except Karen and I'm not sure she likes it much either.

The first part of today's route trekked east on little trafficked farm-to-market roads bordered by small farms and occasional houses. The road rolled considerably and looked at times like a piece of ribbon candy. It reminded me of Missouri in some areas.  The first 15 miles contained 7 turns, so riders were kept alert checking their computers.  Nonetheless a few riders missed a turn or two...normal on a day like this.  If there's more than one turn on the cue sheet, someone will miss something.  Of course no one's 'fessing up to having misread their route sheet but we saw several riders sneaking back on course in a spot or two.

Since it was a short day, we set up only one SAG stop midway between Ontario and Boise.  It was in a large, clean Shell station and country store.  With the favorable conditions, almost everyone was there at the same time so we pretty much took over the place.  Last year when we were on our way out to the West Ride; Karen, Barb, and I changed the routing into Boise from the SAG stop.  Previously, we came almost all the way into town on a highway that was a little on the busy side.  But armed with information from some local riders, we found a nice quiet road that paralleled our previous route which made for a much less busy arrival and more scenic terrain too.  The new route meandered along the foothills through irrigated farm land and horse ranches.  Hats off to Idaho as they had widened and placed bike lanes on one road where Karen and I were a little hesitant to bring the ride.  Life was just too good I guess, but we could take it.

As riders neared Boise, the road became more urban, but continued to be quiet as the route veered off into a residential area and then eventually entered Hyde Park. Hyde Park, an esoteric narrow spot on the road, is a favorite place for riders to stop for lunch before continuing to our motel...The Marriot on Broadway.  Even with the later start, almost everyone was early since it was a short, relatively easy day. Riders have learned by now that their rooms may not be ready if they arrive too early and the baggage may not have been unloaded either. So, riders kicked back and relaxed in Hyde Park for quite a while or took a detour to a bike shop before stumbling to the motel.

After getting to the motel, riders helped unload the luggage truck, then took clean rags from a giant box of rags donated by the motel and used the outside hose to clean their bikes of accumulated road grime to prepare for the next leg on our journey.  We had rap at 5:30 to discuss the day off activities and our continuation on Wednesday.  The riders that are continuing have proven they can accomplish the physical part...now the rest of the way for them is mostly mental.  We do pick up 5 new riders tomorrow that will find out quickly if they are ready or not. 

Tomorrow we have a day off.  The next report will be in Mountain Home on Wednesday.  Hope you have a great day...I and my crew are going to sleep in before doing our chores and preping the new riders.  Check back with us then...good day.

PHOTOS AND SUCH

Dan the human kickstand.

 

IT HAPPENED YESTERDAY:

That statement that "I haven't had a flat in a week" that I reported yesterday was Diane who was riding with Mark.  Just as soon as she said it, she had a flat.  So, Mark being the chivalrous character he is (besides being one of our mechanics) started to fix it for her.  In the middle of the process, Shirley and Chris rode by and Diane, just kidding, yelled, "Do you know a good mechanic?"  "Yeah," Shirley replied as she zoomed by, "but he's not here."  All in good fun, but the cycling Gods sometimes don't have a good sense of humor and will put a smite on unruly transgressors.  About 200 yards down the road, Shirley's tire went psssssssssssssssst...flat as a door nail.  It took a lot of nerve when she sheepishly tapped her helmet to stop Mark to help her as he rode up.   Now she has a different perspective on the definition of a "good" mechanic...it's one that will stop and help no matter what you say.

Some people like to have their photo taken by road signs or maybe old barns, but in a previous life, Denise was a Civil Engineer in the Air Force.  I guess that might explain why she asked me to take a photo of  her on the Ontario sewer system.

Karen and I helped Chris and Shirley fix her flat (yes, she had another one today).  We both marveled at the contraption Chris used to pump up the tire.  It worked like starting a lawn mower...it even had the "whirring" noise when he pulled the cord.  Makes for a good upper body workout if you ask me.

When I was working on Shirley's bike, I discovered why it's so heavy.  She packs enough food in the rear trunk to feed a small army.  "You never know when I may need to feed a good mechanic,"  She explained.

Today's route took us through lots of farm land with lots of aromas from sweet mint to eye watering smelly feedlots.  From the looks of Karen's actions, she's probably at the latter in this photo.

You never know what hazards you'll find on a ride.  As Jim rode down a lonely country road, he was surprised by an "attack cat."

Tom was the featured performer at RAP...now we'll be forever known as ABB Bicycle Cirque Du Soleil

In another life he was a professional basketball player.  Now in his "older" years he's added cycling to his repertoire.  Looks pretty spry to me.

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