Several of us were given blue ribbons last evening to tie to our luggage as we would NOT be staying in the same motel as the rest of the group. The good news was all we had to do was set our luggage by the trailer, sign in and then start today’s 115 mile ride.
I was glad for the chance to get an early start and it worked well for me until I stopped in Mitchell at the cafe. The ladies who were working were overwhelmed with the sudden influx of customers (and it wasn’t just cyclists) and changing over the grill from breakfast to lunch. So service was slow. I made the mistake of giving my order. Then all the others decided they didn’t have time. So they paid for their drinks and left. I should have asked if it was too late to cancel my order but being who I am, I didn’t. I was just finishing up when Rose came in so I stayed and chatted with her.
These were the two overwhelmed, beautiful ladies who managed to get everyone fed.
Later I paid for my dawdling. The day got hotter, my butt got sorer and I was behind all the people I’d been in front of.
As I pushed to make up time (and I was doing well), I saw red lights flashing ahead. When I got closer I could see it was an accident involving at least one cyclist. There were fire trucks, an ambulance and police cars. Turns out Colin got clipped by a motorhome, went down hard and hit his head. He’s in a hospital in Boise. Not sure yet if he will be able to rejoin the ride. This was another delay in my day as I couldn’t pass until the ambulance was gone and the authorities allowed vehicles through.
This kind of took the wind out of my sails for a couple reasons. One being another cyclist injured. The other being I’d lost so much time, I didn’t think the ABB ride leaders would let me finish since I couldn’t get in by dinnertime.
I did struggle on but then I must have re-set my bike computer so didn’t even know where I was for mileage. I finally threw in towel and Deanna picked me up in the van. She thinks I did 98 miles.
thecyclingdiva 