Saturday , July 1, 2017
Start: Burley, Idaho
End: Pocatello, Idaho
Mileage today/cumulative: 87 / 924
Elevation Ascended: 2,397
Weather: Sunny, 64° at start; sunny, 81° at finish
3D Video
While we waited to pay our lunch bill yesterday, a nice woman asked us a few questions about our trip. She was very interested in what we were doing in Burley, Idaho, unlike her husband, who was a ranch man of few words and appeared disinterested. He stood about 6’4″, large and solid as an ox, with weathered skin. When he learned that we were riding to New Hampshire, he said, in a Sam Elliott voice, “why, you’ve just begun”‘ then for good measure, added “you’re in the real thing now.” No explanation. No smile. No well wishes. Just that comment.
After today’s ride, I believe the rancher. This was a get your head straight, put it down, and get it done kind of day. Flat, straight roads without a turn for 20+ miles and nothing to see but more damn potato plants and sagebrush. About ten miles on the Interstate and who knows how many on the frontage road. Even the Relive video couldn’t make it look pretty. Headwinds for every one of the 87 miles. Two miles of dirt road where the State of Idaho tore up the old asphalt, grated it, then were too damn lazy to repave it. Halfway through that stretch I was yelling “What the f*** Idaho? It’s called asphalt!” as my arms were being jack-hammered to a pulp keeping my bike upright. Bev got through it faster than I did but she was also just trying to remain upright as she powered through. The road condition was new to the ABB staff since last year and by the time anyone arrived upon it, there was no detour available. We’re in the real thing now. We both said it was one of the harder days so far and we’re looking forward to climbing Teton Pass in a couple of days. The mountain stages are nearing!
Just wondering, any bikes require work after the two mile jolting, jack-hammering torture?
HA – yes, all bikes survived but everyone inspected them closely and there were a lot of chains being cleaned and lubed last night! And I suspect a few bolts were tightened at the mechanics hour!
Luckily ours did not. All the parts stayed attached.
The Idaho man is certainly a man of few words! You may encounter more of that when you get to New England – Do you go into Maine??
Thanks for today’s smile! Love the blogs.
well, at least it was sunny! JH – here you come!
Paying now for beautiful days. Must be why some of those states have high speed limits…people just want them to be over!
Recover well, Bev and Greg, for tomorrow you will ….. pedal on!! I’ll be riding, too, just not as tough as yours!!