Category: 2017 Northern Tier

Today was one of the longer days on the bike. The trek from Mountain Home to Twin Falls was 98 miles. I feel strong but tired tonight. After all that cycling, we had to walk another 1.2 miles, round trip, to the restaurant. What?!?  It was a buffet so to make up for ALL the miles, I overate. Not smart.

Look up. What the heck? There’s a semi parked halfway into the road. He’s going nowhere. Couldn’t figure out what happened but was able to get by, then the UPS truck that had been waiting squeezed through the space. Surprised me, I didn’t think it could get through.

How? What?

My riding partners for most of the day were Hao, Roel, and Dirk.

Had some great scenery along the way.

And some, um, err, interesting stuff…

Just as I entered Hagerman, there was a “point of interest” to honor the mostly Basque men who were the sheepherders of the area.

We rode through Bliss too. Here’s proof.

When we arrived in Twin Falls, we had to cross the Perrin Bridge. Just a bit scary but as long as I kept focused on my line and not the huge drop to the bottom of the canyon, I was OK.

Glad tomorrow is a shorter day.

Not much to report today except I very much enjoyed having Dan here with me. Very much.

We found a laundromat last night so didn’t have to deal with laundry today other than folding the cycling clothes that had the chance to dry overnight and repacking stuff.

So our main chores today were shopping at a bike shop (of course) and a drug store (gotta restock on drugs).

Then we found a small city park with a paved trail that circled the park. It was not a large park so we walked around three times. We were told to do something physical today so our bodies don’t rebel tomorrow.

Since we’d spent the night at a motel in Nampa rather than staying with the rest of the group, we drove to the group’s motel to put my new seat bag on the bike which had spent the night in Barb’s room. That required moving my tail light so it could still be seen.

As Dan worked on the light, he quickly realized my multi-tool needed to be tightened so the various tools weren’t so loose. I didn’t know it could be tightened or needed to be tightened. Having an intelligent, experienced man around is a big help! Finding the maintenance man at the motel walking down the hall was serendipity – he was able to get us a better tool to get the light adjusted and he tightened the multi-tool for me.

Looking forward to a sushi dinner tonight (big smile).

Tomorrow we head from Boise to Mountain Home, Idaho. Only a few miles over 50.

Today we made it to Boise from Ontario. It was supposed to be 64.5 miles but several of us took an unplanned detour (translation: took a wrong turn) so my total for the day was 67.4.

In spite of the “detour,” it was a good day. I started out by myself so was keeping an eye out for the bison viewing we were promised. I first saw a couple young ones in a small pen. They seemed skittish and were uncomfortable with me looking at them so I moved on. THEN I saw the field full of bison. Looked like all females with some little ones.  There were none of the HUGE bison I’ve seen elsewhere. Or maybe they breed them smaller here. (sun was behind bison, hard to get a good shot)

Then I looked across the street and saw this guy. There was a llama in the same field and I thought I took a photo but it isn’t in the camera.???

The llama (or is it an alpaca?) Photo magically appeared today (June 26) so here it is.

I wasn’t moving along too quickly because that saddle soreness problem was rearing its ugly head. So it was pedal, stand, pedal, stand. The terrain was pretty flat today…no long downhills to get me off the seat.

Then I was passed by Alastair and Chris on the tandem. Now I know when to jump on so I did. They were fine with me doing so. Just having something else to think about (keeping a safe distance while still catching a draft AND keeping up the faster pace) took my mind off my personal issues making the ride into the rest stop go quick.

Leaving the rest stop, I was alone again but not for long. Another group passed me so I jumped on again. Johnny was in the lead with Janine right behind. Eventually it was a group of about 10 who all decided not to listen to the GPS devices but follow the road that made the most sense. Well, it did LOOK like it would be correct but it wasn’t so we had to backtrack to get back on course. 

I was getting hungry so decided to stop for a snack. The rest of the riders continued on. Once more, no one to ride with but at least I wasn’t hungry. Biking mantra: eat before you’re hungry, drink before you’re thirsty.

As I continued down the road, I saw two of our riders pulled over in shade with nice green grass. So I pulled over too. Soon we three were traveling on. Then, flat! I called it out but they didn’t hear me and kept going. I laid out all my tools, inspected the tube and found the goathead I’d run over. Just as I was getting ready to change tubes, Jim, the bike mechanic, came by. He decided to use my co2 cartridge and then blew the adapter off it scaring the riders who just happened to be going by at that point. (and me too) He had another co2 cartridge so used it and left. I put everything away and headed out again.

I made it into Boise with no further problems. Parts of the ride through town were very pleasant. Quiet streets with nice places for bikes. The drivers seemed comfortable with bikes on the road.

When I walked into the lobby of the motel, I heard a woman call my name. I looked to see who called and saw Barb and then Dan! Although I knew he was coming, I didn’t expect to see him there. I figured I’d have to call him when I got in. What a great surprise!

Tomorrow is a day off the bike for all of us. Looking forward to it.

Once again I needed to be packed with my luggage at the trailer by 5:30 this morning. I did sign in today like a good girl. Had breakfast, went back to the room to get my bike and there sits my electronic tablet. Too late to get it in the suitcase. Fortunately, it was a cool morning so I had set my backpack out for later to put my layers in. So, the tablet went in the pack and off I went.

The first part of the day was cool but the road was quiet. I stopped to take this photo of the sagebrush. Again, a reminder of the OTO.

Not long after I took the photo, along comes Bev, Greg, and Kim. I was able to jump on their wheel and we rode for some time on the slight downhill with rollers. What a blast! 

Then we came to the interstate. I backed off for a couple reasons. One was not wanting to be in a large group on the freeway. So they rolled off and left me on my own. This was fine except I got a flat just before the exit where we would have a rest stop. As instructed, I lifted the bike over the rail and got me over the rail too. I had just started to get out my tools and was preparing to remove the wheel when Bill stopped and asked if I could change the tire or did I want some help. Well I can change the tire but wouldn’t mind some help so he stayed.

Between the two of us, it was a pretty quick job. Bill found a wire two feet long in my tire…just kidding, it was a short but lethal wire. Since the rest stop was just down the road, we only pumped it enough to get me to the stop. No more problems for the day.

Just after passing through Huntington, there was an historical marker but there didn’t seem to be an easy way to get to it. A little further along and I saw an entrance to a trail that led to the marker.

Since I can’t read the marker from this photo, I looked it up and found a couple articles. https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=39079607 and https://oregonhistoryproject.org/articles/historical-records/snake-river-massacre-account-by-one-of-the-survivors/#.WVBpunpMFDs

We followed the Snake River for awhile today. I saw this pretty pink bush along the river so had to take a shot.

Something strange and wonderful is happening. My saddle soreness seems to be getting less. Although by the end of the day, it was coming back. This may have been due to me riding with several others in a pace line so I wasn’t able to get out of my saddle as much as I would have liked. However, that pace line pulled me in to the motel parking lot so no complaints!

We crossed the magical line where the time changed so lost an hour but I still arrived before 2:00

We had a good dinner. I am tired so will be signing off and going to bed.  Oh, I don’t have to load luggage until 6:30am tomorrow – yahoo!

I woke up this morning because my bed was shaking. Just a gentle shake. My roommate was trying to get me to wake up as it was 5:15 and I was supposed to be at breakfast at 5:30. Even then, I laid in bed for several minutes more. Oh well, must get up and ready.

Being in the “slow” group, I was allowed to drop off my luggage early so I did and then went to breakfast. Then I headed out for the day. Oops! I forgot to sign in at luggage drop off. So far I haven’t had any repercussions but have to wonder if they are keeping a list. I may not get any Christmas gifts!

So, the main reason I’m in the slow group is because I like to stop to take photos, read the historical and geographical markers, etc. So today I determined not to do that and see how that goes. Well, I couldn’t entirely.  In fact, the route sheet even suggested we stop at the wagon.

Today’s route included three climbs. The first one (Dixie Mountain Summit) was about the same as climbing New Priest Grade…five miles at a fairly easy grade. I got up it in about an hour which is what I do with the NPG back home. Tipton Mountain Summit was a little shorter and Snail Summit was even shorter.

No sign at top of Snail Summit but it was over 5,000 feet too.

Unfortunately for us, there was a prescribed fire in the area we were riding so the air was bad. However I could not pass up this photo of Fireweed that just covered the hillside.

I stopped to get this photo of the mountains…much better in person.

Then this was the lake near our lunch stop.

We have been following Oregon Scenic Byways. The scenery has been fantastic. If one gets the chance to drive these, do it in a convertible with the top down at about 35 mph.

The final portion of today’s ride was through open farmland with a headwind. As I was riding alone, I stopped to take a break and did a selfie.

While messing around with this, four riders came by in a paceline. Rats, I thought, if I’d been ready, I could have joined them and not had to face the headwind alone. So onto the bike for the final stretch. Not far down the road, the four had stopped at the support van. I just rode on by. I was alone again but noticed, in my mirror, the group of four was catching up to me. Do I continue to push and try to beat them in to town or just accept the fact that I’ll be swallowed up by the peloton? 

Then they rode up to me and asked if I wanted to join them. You betcha!  

When we arrived in town, we stopped at a deli for ice cream. Nice end to a nice day.

The slow group has to be at breakfast at 5:30 but getting started earlier allowed me to enjoy the 81 mile ride and still get to the motel (after ice cream) by four. I’m thinking being slow isn’t always a bad thing.

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.

Stopping near the bottom of the first descent, I turned to look back at the motel/casino where we spent the night.

We, obviously, were up with great view of the valley and terrain that surrounded us..

As I rode through some of the country, it reminded me of the OTO which then made me think of Grampa and Gramma Shields and Gramma and Grampa Goddard and then Lynn. Much sadness which really surprised me but I let myself feel the sadness and loss.

Deanna and I rode together for a bit but I couldn’t keep up when we started climbing so she rode off ahead. Not long after I met up with Mark and Rose and we rode along together until we saw a rider down ahead of us. There were already lots of riders around trying to help him and call for assistance. Mark is an EMT so he got right in there. Since there was nothing I could do, I rode on. Soon two police vehicles and the ambulance raced by.

Continuing the day’s journey, I looked back to see Mt. Jefferson following me.

This area has its own beauty and I loved going through at a bicycle pace.

Moving on, I was in farming territory. Very different and loved how we finally got off Hwy 26 and onto some farm roads. No traffic! Mt. Jefferson, Three Finger Jack and the Three Sisters were visible through most of the day at one point or another.

I’ve been looking for post offices so I could get some photos to show what towns I’ve been in but they all seem to be off our route. So today I got a picture by the city hall and police station in Madras.

When I arrived at the motel in Prineville (Oregon), these were in the lobby. Aren’t they the cutest?!?  Both were being used as ice chests for soda and water.  The station wagon is actually a pedal car. I remember when my little sister Sue got a pedal car for Christmas and I was not happy when it turned out it wasn’t for me!

The rider who was down has a crushed cheekbone and more than one broken vertebrae. He’s in hospital in Bend and won’t be rejoining the ride. Leaves one sad and concerned with a bad feeling in the pit of the stomach.

Tomorrow is our 115 mile day so I’m getting ready for a good night’s rest before getting up at 4:15 to start the day.

Today started early with the wake up call coming at 5am. Unfortunately for my roommate, Barb, as her breakfast and trailer load didn’t start until later. She was a Very Good Roommate and helped me haul my luggage to the loading dock.

The day started cool with overcast sky. Layers helped although we started with a long climb which tends to warm one up.

At yesterday’s “rap,” mention was made to look back because some of the views would be stunning. So after doing some of the first hill, I turned back to see where I’d been.

It definitely looked better than where I was heading.

Until I went a little further and there was Mt. Hood!

And just a few minutes later, the cloud at the peak was gone.

However, when we reached the rest stop at the top of our climb, the temperature was still in the high 50s. Being sweaty and then going downhill in the cold is not a good thing. My hands were starting to go numb and I was wishing I’d worn my glove liners. However, not too much further down the road I began to notice it was getting warmer and I survived the first climb of the day on Hwy 26. Then there was another climb but not as long. I began to think of the three bears. We rode over papa bear, mama bear and baby bear. Just when I thought we were done, up popped Goldilocks.

Then I looked back. WOW! Mt. Hood from the other side.

We crossed over the 45th parallel today.

We moved quickly from forests to high desert but could still see the mountains that surrounded us. Mt. Jefferson and the Three Sisters

It was a good day on the bike. Awesome views and fun getting to know more about my riding buddies.

Staying on an Indian reservation in Warm Springs, Oregon tonight. They served an excellent meal this evening. Best one so far. Kah-Nee-Tah is the casino name. They have a golf course for you golfing nuts.

Here are some other photos from the day you might enjoy.

What a day. What a day. Started out with the A,B,C bike check and then we were all free to go. I waited until I was last except for Deanna, today’s sweep. She and I started together but she had to stop after a short distance to help a rider who had a flat. So I was on my own.

The discussion at last night’s “rap” was about the bike paths we would be taking today. Even with all that was said and the route sheet,  I managed to get lost. I did eventually find my way back to the route each time.  The good news is I arrived at the motel in time for a shower before this evening’s “rap” and was in the first group to be bussed to the restaurant for dinner.  The bad news is I’m in the first group that goes to the same restaurant tomorrow morning. I have to have my bags packed and ready to go on the trailer by 5:50AM!

We crossed the St. Johns Bridge today. One lane was for cyclists but I stopped and got on the sidewalk so I could take photos. Then Dirk came by and offered to take my photo. Nice! While standing on the sidewalk, one could feel the vibration of the bridge. It was a little disconcerting. Had to tell myself it wouldn’t collapse to close down the panicky feeling.

We spent a lot of time riding along the Columbia River.

We also went by the Portland Airport.