This day was good. Not too hot on the road, for the early starters that is. We ended up with 115 km since our group lost our way and did a little detour. Good it was, since we happened to miss a notorious hill, although we had to negotiate a very busy highway instead. The route went through mostly agricultural areas. Amazing what water can do in a dry land. The hills are covered with sage bush and sparse grass, but where the irigation canals reach, the land got turned into a paradise! lush crops of wheat, corn, beans and alfalfa hay. Also saw cattle fattening corrals for beef.
Had an interesting incident today that once again prove that God's protective hand is with us. Just outside Ontario, OR on a farm road a group of us encountered a loose running midsize calf. It stood on the edge of the road, facing the fast approaching paceline of bikes. Having grown up with cattle, I shouted to the guys in front of the paceline to slow down right away, as I sensed this critter was going to run right in front of the fast moving bikes, which he promptly did, with raised tail, shaking its head in delight. So a bad pile-up was avoided.
We saw many small animals and birds, like quail and "Kiewie", and a few hundred pelicans and 2 big falcons. Last week we saw ravens as well.
Having started out at 8:30am, we arrived at Boise at 12, including a relaxed coffee stop at a diner along the way. The whole place was filled with happy, laughing & joking cyclists. It was good to ride with the fast group again, where the strongest of us took turns to ride in front , setting the pace and pulling the whole group along. Today it was difficult as the headwind made for hard work - so my knees are sore because I pushed too big gears too hard when working at the front. Good thing we have a rest day tomorrow with sleeping in to heal the body. Tonight we have a little predicament, as the school locked the washrooms until 7am. Will have to go easy on the fluids tonight! Like every Saturday we had completely cleaned out the gear truck and re-organized our stuff. Good to have everything clean and ready for another challenging week, where the daily distances will increase noticably. Friday afternoons we all clean our bikes thoroughly. I promised Gayle to clean her bike for her tomorrow - chain and everything else. We have a mutually uplifting and encouraging friendship filled with fun and laughter, and share special rare treats, like dark chocolate that came in the mail. Gayle is the funniest and most inquisitive person. Just read her blog and you will see. Today she stopped at a pot-bellied pig farm, knocked on the door and asked for a tour of the premises. She learned that these little pets are very intelligent and can be taught tricks, and they mimic and learn from each other as long as an edible reward follows. And to think we turn their likes into bacon!!!!
This morning I struggled to get up. went to bed too late as a bunch of us sat in a wireless internet equipped coffeeshop till 11pm to do blogging, and then ride back to camp without lights, as none of us brought any. Real challenge if our dish can't work. We have to ride our bikes to wireless venues with our laptops flapping over the shoulder.
No comments:
Post a Comment