Day #13, Burley to Pocatello ID

86 miles today and the weather is starting to warm up. We rode mostly of frontage roads to the Interstate today but did stray over to the Snake River again as we peddled thru cattle country, one of our riders from Germany saw his first Cowboy as they were loading cattle onto a semi truck out in the middle of nowhere. Its free range out here, with only metal cattle guards to keep the cows off the Interstate highway. One of the sites we passed is called Register Rock, its a large rock that settlers in the 19th century would scribe their name on as they traveled west. We passed a couple areas that were burned in a brush fire, but the bigger fire you may have heard about is about 15 miles south of our route. Mike our trip leader broke his right ankle this morning while changing a flat tire on one of our support vans, he will be hobbling around on one of those plastic casts for the rest of our trip. Mike never seems to sit still, he is always running around doing something to help one of the riders, or jumping out of the van to take pictures, so this is going to kill him to not be able to ride a bike or drive. We have a relatively light day of 65 miles on Sunday, with another big test on Monday. Check back to see how we do.


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Day #12, The Great ABB Scavenger Hunt,Twin Falls to Burley

Today we only rode 39 miles with a wonderful tail wind , but we were a Scavenger Hunt team on a mission. That is to collect the following items along our route today and win bragging rights and the place of honor at the head of the food line for the next week.

1. Church key (bottle opener)
2. Idaho quarter (Extra Credit if its minted in Philadelphia)
3. A pretty rock 
4. Piece of a fan belt
5. A clothes pin (Extra Credit if it works but has no spring)
6. Used golf ball (Extra Credit for a #4, additional Extra Credit if a Top Flite)
7. A sample of American Repillas Tyrus (road tire)
8. A round band-aid
9. A bottle cap (Extra Credit for a 7-UP cap)
10. Store stamp from any place in Burley
11. A flower (Extra Credit if it's blue)
12. Popsicle stick
13. One unusual item off the road (you can't use your roommate)
14. Sprig of alfalfa
15. Courtyard by Marriott room key
16. Most beneficial, original "Tip of the Day"

We tried hard and collected all the items but Team Wheeler Dealers finished a close and controversial second due to some questionable judging decisions.

This afternoon Mike held a drivetrain care clinic to help us keep our bike in good running order for the remainder of the trip

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Day #11, Mountain Home to Twin Falls

I was up so early this morning my bike GPS had its nighttime black background when I started to ride at 6:00am, which must have been before the official sunrise for Mountain Home. We had 98 miles to do today, much of it up hill or on chip seal paved roads. Both slow you down, but chip seal can rattle your whole body as your bike moves atop the oil base with a gravel topcoat. You know it slows you down when you can only manage 16 mph on a downhill. I rode in a group for the first 29 miles but rode pretty much alone the rest of the way, with occasional periods when someone would ride with me for a few minutes as they caught and passed me. You have lots of time to think out there on the road. I think most of us have got over the race mentality of trying to do your mileage as quick as possible. You just end up waiting at the hotel in wet clothes for your room to be cleaned or your bags to arrive. We passed through an area filled with dairy farms today; there must have been at least twenty. Our route also followed the Snake River for part of the day, and passed the site of Evel Knievil's attempt to jump the Snake River Canyon back in 1974. At the end of the day, I was so fresh, that I rode a mile past the hotel and then back to get to the one hundred mile mark for the day. We had dinner tonight at Golden Corral, three plates and I was full. Looking forward to a short ride on Friday.

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Day #10, Boise to Mountain Home

Another short day of 53 miles, planned as a warm up for another long day on Thursday (97 miles). After breakfast we started on a nice bike path that ran along the Boise River for about seven miles and then out into the desert. We rode fast in a group, drafting along the Interstate at 24 mph. Stopped for water at a Truck Stop at mile 25 and then rode the back roads for the second half. We actually saw a badger run across the road and into a field with cows. He was too quick for a picture. Not much traffic out here. It seemed you could see 20 miles in all directions and see nothing but mountains, rock and sage. We swung into Wendy's for lunch. People are starting to wonder if they are eating too much. I haven't seen a scale yet, so I ate a Frosty for good luck. The rooms and bags were all ready for us as we pulled in the Best Western about 12:30. A quick shower and I was refreshed. Trip Leader Mike Munk held a tire changing clinic and passed on some secrets to a quick and proper tube change. Dinner was at AJ's tonight, and we will return for breakfast at 5:30 am to get an early start on those 97 miles.

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Day #9, Rest Day in Boise ID

I woke early out of habit and got another one of our standard trip breakfasts, I have a suspicion that America By Bicycle sends all the hotels a suggested menu, because we have seen very few exceptions so far. Walked down to the laundromat and had clean clothes by 9:00 am. On the walk back to the Marriott, I stopped for a look at The Boise State University Football Stadium and its famous blue astro turf. I also looked thru the Allen Noble Athletic Hall of Fame. I spent the next hour on the phone with Garmin Tech Support, getting the maps transferred from my old GPS bike computer to the replacement they had waiting for me here is Boise. My next task was to ride to the closest Fedex Office location to mail the old GPS bike computer back to Garmin. I stopped for lunch at Old Chicago for a Calzone. Swung by a bike shop Idaho Mountain Touring to get some spare parts and two insulated water bottles for the hot weather to come. Dinner was at one of Peggy's favorites Baja Fresh.


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Day #8, Goodbye to Oregon

After our standard breakfast menu, (eggs, bacon, pancakes, oatmeal fruit, orange juice) and a quick map meeting, we left Oregon for Idaho less than a mile from the Clarion Hotel in Ontario. It was a fast moving crowd today, as the climbing was not difficult and the distance was on the short side (63 miles). A SAG stop at 31 miles offered a chance for a breather and then we continued across farm country toward Boise. We even braved a road construction site with several ROAD CLOSED, and even one DEAD END barriers. As we got closer to Boise, we returned to civilization and got used to city riding again. We stopped in an area called Hyde park for lunch and ice cream. Swung by the Idaho State Capital Building and finally arrived at our designation of the Courtyard by Marriot. This will be our home for the next day and a half, as we get a day off from riding on Tuesday and can relax a bit. Got cleaned up, washed the bike and am now looking forward to a Barbecue tonight.

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Day #7, On the seventh day he rested

Someone forgot to tell the trip leaders that passage of scripture. They scheduled us for 83 more miles today. Not as much climbing as the past couple days, but we did climb. On the way out of Baker City we faced a steady climb and the we had a gradual decent most of the way to Ontario OR. We rode along the shoulder of the interstate for a couple short segments when no other rode would have gotten us to our destination. We passed thru a couple little towns, one of which Huntington, had a Railroad Caboose on the main drag into town. We stopped for lunch on the banks of the Snake River. This is an area filled with large farms growing corn, spanish onions and alfalfa.  Tonights dinner was at the Sizzler Steak house. I haven't been in one of those in years, but somethings never change. A short day is planned for tomorrow as we ride about 60 miles into Boise ID, and then have Tuesday off to rest.


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Day #6, It should have been easy

Compared to yesterday's 116 miles, we only had 81 today. We slept in for a 7:00 am start. Easy as pie, we all thought. But three mountains stood in our path. All the summits were close to a mile in elevation. Everyone seemed to be worn out by yesterdays big test, so we all took it easy. After cresting the third summit, it was pretty much downhill or flat all the way to Baker City. We stopped at a beautiful roadside park near a lake for lunch, and ate our "fireman's sack lunch" prepared by our hosts for dinner last night in John Day. About mile 70, the wind shifted to our backs and we flew into Baker City at about 25 mph with a tail wind. We are staying tonight at the Best Western in Baker City OR. Every night, both the body and the bike need to get cleaned up and ready for the next day. Usually a quick wipe down and then clean and lube the chain is all that is needed, but we have a staff mechanic here for anything more serious. Occasionally I do a little "hotel sink hand washing" if the Hotel does not have laundry facilities for guests. Expecting a lot of warm weather, I only brought one pair of cycling tights, so with the cool and rainy conditions we have ridden through, they also need to be ready everyday.

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Day #5, I had doubts. Prineville OR to John Day OR

Today was a big ride, 116 miles with 5000 ft of climbing thrown in. I got an early start at 5:50 am after breakfast of Brown Sugar Raisin Oatmeal, Scrambled Eggs and Sausage at the Apple Peddler Restaurant in Prineville. I needed the big breakfast and the early start, I was on the road for nine hours including water stops. I didn't have time to stop and take a bunch of pictures, as the theme for the day was "keep it rolling", but I did squeeze in a few during water stops. We crossed over the Ochoco Mountains while riding today. We are staying tonight at the Best Western John Day. Another great dinner at The Outpost in John Day OR, Grilled Chicken Breasts, Penne Pasta, Mixed Vegetables, Strawberry Salad and Cookies for dessert. And I had to have some Huckleberry ice cream to top it off. We will see whats in store for us tomorrow at the nightly map meeting.

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Day #4, Off the Reservation

We left Kah-Nee-Tah Lodge after a hearty breakfast at 7:30. Today was a light day of just 60 miles, with the big test of 117mi on Friday. We all slept in, or at least tried. It has me anxious that I will have enough time to complete tomorrows distance with over 5000 ft of climbing thrown in to frustrate. It gave me a lot to think about as I rode alone today. Had I trained enough? Was I crazy to think I could do it? I guess we all will find out. We passed Mount Jefferson and "The Three Sisters" (I guess thats Linda, Peggy and Pennie). We also climbed over another ridge into another climate zone, with massive irrigated farms growing hay and alfalfa. I stopped at Dairy Queen as I pulled into Prineville OR (population 9000 or so) for a cone. (the first of many on this trip). I arranged for Garmin to send me a replacement bike computer at our hotel in Boise, the location of our first rest day on Tuesday. That will eliminate that constant problem from my busy life on the road.


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Day #3, Welches to Kah-Nee-ta

We started the morning at 5:45 with breakfast at the Whistle Stop in Welches. Then made an early start up the mountain side with a 13 mile climb. That helps take the chill off a 35 degree morning. Every corner brought another postcard view, but I had somewhere to go, and couldn't stop for every one. It was amazing how as we came down the other side of the mountain, the climate changed from rain forest to high desert in a matter of miles. It was a roller coaster ride descending down the mountain and I reached a top speed of 36mph. as I snaked through the curves. The temperature reached 89 degrees on the valley floor. It was 1:00 when I pulled into the hotel. We are staying tonight at the Kah-Nee-Ta Indian Casino, but my money is safe as I am not much of a gambler, other than the occasional Powerball ticket. My bike computer worked today, must have scared it with the $25 replacement I had sitting next to it on the handle bars.


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Day #2, Eat, Ride, Rain, Repeat

It did rain again today and I again had problems with my bike computer. Still trying to sort that out, but bought a cheap backup to help me navigate the the backroads of Oregon. We began our climb off the coastal plain today and would have had great views of Mount Hood, had they not been obscured by clouds and rain. I guess I will have to come back again. Stopped for lunch at a roadhouse near Sandy OR call Calamity Janes, the place is decorated with dollar bills and foreign currency stapled to the rafters and ceiling. I rolled into the Hotel, (a rather expensive looking one called "The Resort at the Mountain"), at about 1:00 pm. Both me and the bike needed cleaning, the bike was first in line, since our luggage was delayed because one of our riders Mike, took a tumble and required an Emergency Room visit. The luggage truck accompanied him to the ER, and as soon as he was discharged, rushed him to a bike shop where he purchased a new bike and helmet. He looks like he will be ready to go in the morning. We had dinner at Zig Zag Inn in Welches OR, I had the largest Chicken Parmesan I have ever seen. Picture an eight inch circle, with a pile of spaghetti on the side, topped off with a couple pieces of Garlic Toast. Had my protein covered for the next couple days.

 
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Day #1, Baptism

Well we got wet. It was raining this morning and our 7:00 am start got pushed back to 8:00 am. I rode the first 7 miles with a flat tire, kinda limits your speed. (I am sure I will win some sort of "First Flat of the Trip Award" tonight at dinner. Got it fixed and I started to fly down the road. It seemed to clear around 10:00 am for a few hours, but we experienced a few short showers after that. I pulled into the Hotel at 1:30, both me and my bike were caked with road dirt. We both got hosed off and cleaned up, and I even managed to do a load of laundry before dinner. My Garmin bike computer is acting up and I now have to remove the Micro SD card to transfer data to my laptop. I guess it didn't like the rain either. I only have four pictures to share because I was trying to keep the camera dry, should have put a ziplock over the computer.



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Day #0, Astoria Oregon

I explored Astoria for a day. Its a small town near the mouth of the Columbia River where Lewis and Clark finally reached the Pacific Ocean when exploring the Louisiana Purchase in the early 1800's. But today I got back on my bike and we rode to Fort Stevens State Park and stopped at a beach on the Pacific Ocean to bolster our claim of riding ALL the way across the country.



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Bike Shipping

I arranged the shipping of my bike thru Bike Flights, they contract with FedEx and send you a pdf file for a prepaid shipping label through email. Last weekend I boxed up my bike, with foam insulation and zip ties and then dropped it off at the local FedEx Office location and crossed my fingers. Things turned out fine and it seems to be in the same shape it left home. I reassembled it on the hotel room floor, and with a little air in the tires will be ready to roll. It saved me from trying to get it on a Metro train, checking it as luggage on the train, and squeezing on the bus to Astoria. It went well.

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The Trip West

They say getting there is half the fun. After doing a few errands with Peggy on Tuesday morning, she dropped me off at the Springfield/Franconia Metro stop and I was off on my adventure via the subway to Washington’s Union Station. The train station is a very familiar place as my entire work career took place only two blocks away at the US Government Printing Office, so I enjoyed many shopping and lunch vistits over the 33 years. The next leg of my journey was on the AMTRAK Capitol Limited bound for Chicago. The train seemed to be full of Girl Scouts going home from their 100^th anniversary celebration on the Mall. The girls quieted down as night fell and surprisingly I had no problem sleeping on the train. I woke early and had a 6:00am breakfast and enjoyed the ride until we arrived in Chicago on Wednesday morning about 9:00 am.

My connecting train to Portland (The Empire Builder)didn’t leave until 2:15pm, so I found a WIFI signal and caught up with email.

There are not many sightseeing attractions visible from the train, but we did pass Rugby ND, which is the geographical center of North America, and according to a native is marked by a pile of rocks.


As we traveled farther west, things did get a little more interesting as we passed through Glacier National Park and the Columbia River Gorge before arriving in Portland. I have some time to kill before my bus leaves for Astoria OR, so I thought I would update you on my progress west.

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