Introduction

ACROSS AMERICA NORTH, 2005
Astoria, OR to Portsmouth, NH  50 DAYS/ 3650 MILES

Across America North is America by Bicycle’s northern route across the United States. This 50-day moderately paced tour averages 80+ miles per day and crosses through 10 states and just a bit of the Canadian province of Ontario. The 3650-mile route begins with a wheel dip in the Pacific Ocean in Astoria, Oregon and ends with a wheel dip in the Atlantic Ocean near Portsmouth, New Hampshire. In between, meet the challenge of the Cascades, the Rockies, and the Appalachian Mountains. Experience the vistas of the high deserts, the rolling high plains, and upper Midwestern farmlands. Across America North is 45 riding days that will treat you to stunning vistas, epic climbs, and return you to “reality” with a whole new appreciation of cycling.

[This blog is being created  almost 11 years after the event described so that I can share the experience with family and friends. Some of the photos on it are a bit blurry because they were originally compressed to put on Mike Munk's website, and I pulled them from the website.

Backstory: In 2004 I retired in May from Fire Protection Publications, a fire service publishing company on the campus of Oklahoma State University. The very next month I began as staff for America by Bicycle, a bicycle touring company out of New Hampshire. My primary job was to keep leader Mike Munk's ride website, but I, like all the other support staff, drove the SAG van or luggage truck, set up SAG stops, and rode my bike either "Float" (free) or as "Sweep" (behind the last rider) with the clients. 

The ride described here was my second year to staff America by Bicycle's "Across America North" ride, which starts in Astoria, Oregon, and finishes in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 52 days and 3637 miles later.

                                                                                                                              Susan S. Walker, 2016

Meet the Staff

DOUGLAS TOROSIAN, President America by Bicycle
Doug has had a love of long-distance cycling from a very young age. He first rode cross country self contained in 1982. And in the last 23 years he has helped thousands of cyclists achieve their goal of riding across the United States.
          ABB was founded by cyclists for cyclists as a full-service, long-distance touring alternative for bicyclists who want to cycle across the USA. “Our philosophy is to create a level of support for our cyclists that includes great routes, motel lodging, meals, friendly experienced cycling staff, comprehensive mechanical and sag support, luggage transportation, daily maps and cue sheets, etc., allowing you the cyclist to ride your bike at your own pace and truly see America from the seat of your bicycle.  No worries, ride your bike!”  We continually update our current tours to find the best roads, lodging, logistics, etc. while continuing to develop new and interesting events to give cyclists a real choice of touring options to see this great country. We hope to see you ride with us someday. 

BILL LANNON, Associate Director of Operations

Came to ABB in 2001.  The voice on the other end of the line.  Responsible for marketing, advertising, and all materials sent out to the riders.  Coordinates motels, meals, and other tour logistics. Favorite drink: Iced Coffee

KAREN BAGSHAW, ABB Office Manager

Been with the organization since '93.  Responsible for accounting and creating all documentation that leaves the office.  Not to be confused with Karen Bauer.

MIKE MUNK, Tour Leader/Mechanic
Age: 57
Married:  (To Barbara)
Home:  Prattville, Alabama (Transplanted Yankee...originally from Indiana)
Occupation:  Retired Air Force Navigator, Cross Country Bicycle Ride Leader, Bicycle Mechanic
Experience:  Cycling since 1989
Bike:  Custom Roark Titanium
Favorite Quote:  "Your worst day on a bicycle is better than your best day at the office."
Second favorite quote: "Put the hammer down, you can rest tomorrow!"
Third favorite quote:  "Life's too short to ride in the small ring."

Experience: First rode across the country as staff with Cycle America in 1996 upon retiring from the Air Force.  First rode with ABB in '97 and began serving as head mechanic and leading ABB tours in '98.  Has crossed the US 24 times and has led a total of 29 tours with ABB as of 1 Jan 2005.  

Started riding in 1989 at 42 years old and started racing at 45.  Since '89, has amassed over 125,000 miles and has medaled at district, regional, and national levels in Armed Forces Masters, USCF Masters, and Senior Olympics competitions.  Training includes:  LABs Effective Cycling Instructor Certification, United Bicycle Institute's Bicycle Mechanic Certification, and is a Walden School of Cycling graduate.  Four time National Senior Olympics Gold medalist; currently, the 5K time trial Bronze Medalist (55-59 age group).  Holder of the 50-54 National Senior Olympics record for the 5K time trial (6:29/29.0 MPH at Orlando FL, '99)   

Hobbies: Although cycling is a passion, other interests include golf, traveling, meeting new people, and playing with this (his) web site.

BARBARA MUNK, Assistant Ride Leader Lodging, Food, & Finance Coordiinator; Mom

Age: 54
Married: To Mikie
Home:  Prattville, Alabama
Occupation:  Keeping Mike out of trouble is her full time job, but her grandkids (4) call her "Super Nena!"
Favorite Quote:  "Being happy is a personal responsibility."

Heard saying to a motel desk clerk:  "Do you want to talk to the man in charge, or the woman who knows what's going on?"
Experience:  Barbara began supporting bicycle tours so she could see Mike in the summer time.  After he returned from his third summer on the road while she stayed home, she told him if he went again, he had to take her or stay home himself.  She has been a wonderful addition to the ABB staff as she comes to us with 6 years experience supporting and developing bike tours.  Her basic duties include taking care of the luggage, meals, motels, and general support of the riders (but mostly, as said before, she spends most of her time keeping Mike in check.  You'll see her smiling face at the SAG stops and while preparing lunches on the road. 

Occupation: Mom; Barbara spends most of her time, when away from bicycle tours, being the perfect mother to her two daughters (Krystal 33 and Niki 30) and grandma to her 4 grandkids Michael (8), Noah (5), Annaleise (2), and new granddaughter, Rebekah Joy (1).  

Hobbies: Barbara enjoys reading, working in the yard, travel, movies, and her grandkids (and keeping Mike out of trouble). 

JOSH STRATTON, Mechanic

Age: 28
Home:  East Grand Rapids, MI
Single: Yes, but I have a lead on a good one
Occupation:  Bike Mechanic
Bike: Kestrel
Favorite Quote:  "The shortest distance between two points is the easiest." Ned Overend
Hobbies:  Biking, Frisbee, Soccer

Josh began cycling after his senior year of college after a friend convinced him to start riding to overcome boredom. Several years and several thousand miles later, Josh is here to assist with the mechanics duties.
          In the fall of 2003, Josh rode ABB fast South and so impressed Mike that he was asked to join the ABB staff. He attended UBI's (United Bicycle Institute's) Pro Course in Oregon that winter to learn bike mechanics and has since staffed 2004 and 2005 Fast South and last year's Across America North. The 2005 AAN will be his fourth tour with ABB.
         Josh left an interesting job in bone model making to be with us this year . . . we hope that we won't have to use that expertise on this ride. 

KAREN BAUER, Ride Leader/Support Staff 

Age: 51
Single
Home:  Eugene Oregon
Experience:  Cycling since 4, touring since '89...I asked her if she'd been riding all her life and she replied, "Not yet."
Bike:  Roark Custom TI
Occupation:  Working out and eating bagels and broccoli.
Favorite Quotes:  "Life's too short to not be riding your bike and following your dreams."  "Can I have broccoli with cheese on the side with that?"

Karen comes to us with 7 years staff experience.  She has been involved with numerous state and local rides and 14 cross country rides.  She has been with ABB for 5 years and we are proud to have her experience and personality on our staff.  Smile when you see her...She'll have a camera in hand at the SAG stops or in the support van when she is not riding.

          She holds a MS degree in Physical Education and has coached US disabled cycling team at the Paralympics in Atlanta and Sydney Australia.  She has raced tandem at the northwest Burley events and captained a tandem during the '95 US ABA Masters Disabled Nationals to the gold medal (Set national record) in the 40K women's tandem team event with a blind stoker.  Qualified for the '05 National Senior Olympics by winning the Alabama State 40k and 20k road races and by placing second in the 5k time trial.  Most recently, placed 6th and 8th in the time trials and won the SILVER medal in the 20k road race at the National Senior Olympics in Pittsburg PA.

Karen's hobbies include: cycling, reading, working out, traveling, and meeting new people.

  

SUSAN WALKER, SAG Support/Website Editor

Age:  63
Married: to Jeff Walker, an English professor at Oklahoma State University; 2 daughters
Hometown:  Stillwater, OK
Experience: ABB Mississippi River, '98, self-supported west coast, '00; self-supported Alaska, '02, Across America North, 04; Katy Trail; Oklahoma FreeWheel, etc.
Susan has been riding since the mid 80s and is an active member of her local road bike club the Red Dirt Pedalers; her state advocacy group, the Oklahoma Bicycle Coalition; and is a LAB cycling instructor (LCI#1067). She is also the editor of her bicycle club newsletter, Wheel Issues, and her local Audubon Chapter newsletter, Feathers.
Occupation:  Retired fire service curriculum developer/editor/English teacher. Susan is also a certified firefighter, fire instructor, and SCUBA diver
Bike: Specialized Roubaix Elite
Favorite Quote:  "Coast when ya kin"- advice from an awed Southern teen I met on the Mississippi River ride.
Favorite Second Quote: "Any day above ground is a good day." (stolen from one of last year's riders)
Hobbies:  Susan's hobbies include all things "B"--birding, botanizing, beekeeping, butterflies, and, of course, bicycling (sigh . . . she's too old to add boys to this list).
Susan's SAG table on last year's tour was most often adorned with a discarded pop can of wildflowers, and she often shared her binoculars with others who wanted to view anything distant . . . from osprey nests to incoming riders. 

Meet the Riders

Day 0 -- Orientation, Bike Assembly, and Astoria

June 18, 2005

On this pre-ride day, the staff introduces themselves, registers all riders, provides emergency contact information, discusses safe riding techniques, and explains what to expect on the ride: SAG support and staff functions (mechanic, sweep, float, SAG set-up). Riders receive their ABB jerseys and other kit when they register. Also on this day, the mechanics help everyone assemble their bicycles and ensure that everyone can demonstrate changing a tube and airing up a tire (without ripping the stem out).

Once riders have their bikes assembled, they ride as a group  or in small groups to the ocean to dip bike front wheels in a time-honored cross-country ritual. Since we are up the Columbia River a bit, this requires about a 26-mile round trip to Clatsop Spit near Fort Stevens in Warrenton. Here riders take photos of themselves with the skeleton of The Peter Iredale a four-masted steel sailing vessel that ran ashore October 25, 1906.

In the evening we all get acquainted over a delicious banquet provided by the hotel. It's early to bed for both staff and riders, all anticipating eagerly the first day of riding tomorrow.

Below are some pix of bike assembly and of Astoria and the Astoria Column.

Day 1 -- We take to the road on the first day of our adventure

June 20, 2005

ROUTE: Astoria to St. Helens, OR           
DISTANCE:  68.9 miles                 
WINDS: Light headwinds

WEATHER: Clear, sunny, highs in the upper 80s     
TERRAIN: Hilly in spots...two significant climbs and the obligatory downhills                
TOTAL CLIMBING: 3170 feet

RIDE OVERVIEW: After breakfast, all the riders gathered on a point of land in front of the hotel on the river for their group photograph, the soaring Astoria Bridge as a backdrop. Mike grouped everyone artistically according to height, and then took numerous photos, both from the ground and from a second story room. After he was finished, riders took to the road for their first day of riding . . . still wearing their forced photo smiles.

Group photo with Astoria-Megler Bridge in background

The directionally challenged had an easy first day on the road today.  Turn left out of the hotel parking lot and ride Hwy 30 all the way to St. Helens.  (St. Helens is not the site of Mount St. Helens, which is northwest of St. Helens on the border with Washington.)  Originally settled by New England loggers, the old town portion of St. Helens on the riverfront dates back nearly a century. Like the mountain, the town of St. Helens was named by Commander George Vancouver for British diplomat Alleyne Fitzherbert, whose title was Baron St. Helens.

SH-30 is a fairly busy road, its traffic at times including pungent smelling logging trucks and also gravel trucks, but the drivers of these rigs were very polite and generally gave us wide berth  . . . even an occasional encouraging toot of the horn.

The weather was gorgeous:  sunny, clear, temps in the mid 80s.  SH-30 runs along the broad Columbia River, and in places we could look down on the beautiful river and to the green hills rising beyond it . . . and sometimes we could inhale the acrid odor of the paper mills and the piney odor of the lumber mills along it. The roadside was lined with ferns, horsetail, foxglove, daisies, vetch, and many other flowers and flowering shrubs whose names I don’t know.  The fir trees were two-toned with new, pale green growth at the tips of the branches.

As we neared our destination Mount St. Helens popped into view, puffing smoke, her flat top capped with snow.  It is hard to imagine the devastation that must have occurred here when she blew her top in 1980.  Her eruption marked the re-awakening of a relatively young (40,000- year-old) volcano that had been dormant since 1857.  The northwest Indians told early explorers about the fiery Mount St. Helens.  In fact an Indian name for the mountain, Lou-wa-la-clough, means “smoking mountain.”

An otherwise perfect day was tainted with a couple first day mishaps.  Kent H. and Paul T. both took tumbles today. Kent suffered a broken collarbone so he'll have to abandon the ride which was a blow for him and also for his riding pal, Joe. The two of them had planned and trained and dreamt of this ride for more than a year. Joe will finish the ride for his buddy, and Kent vows to return and try it again next year. Paul suffered some bruising and scrapes, but he is hoping to continue the ride after a coupe of days to recuperate.  He'll ride with the vans for a day or two and see how things shake out and how he feels. We say good bye to Kent, wish him a speedy recovery, and hope to see him on the ride again.

I think everyone was in before 2:00 so had time to relax and get to know one another before going to dinner at the Village Restaurant next door to the motel. Mike reported the usual small problems at the mechanics' van: squeaky drive trains, loose screws, and minor adjustments to derailleurs, but—and this may be a record—only one flat today.  Murray B. picked up a glass shard. Claimed he was a hero. If he hadn't picked it up someone else would have, so he actually saved the others from having a flat. With the exception of the accidents, all in all it was a pretty easy day . . . a good warm up for what's to come in a day or two when we hit the high desert and some long days.

HEARD ON THE ROAD TODAY:

• "I can’t find my husband. Everyone looks alike!" (Before the photo shoot when everyone was dressed in their ABB red-white-and blue riding jerseys.)
• "These hills weren't on the brochure."  (Someone didn't read the small print.)  

DUH! OF THE DAY: Chris P. trying to convince Mike that his 45-pound bag weighed only 33.5 pounds. And then claiming that it wasn't his bag. (Well, it really wasn't his bag.)

PHOTOS OF THE DAY:

Mike took this photo of Mike Miller just to prove to
Mike Miller's wife that he is actually working.

In Oregon, you are not permitted to pump your own gas,
or air, apparently. This "service station" attendant
had a difficult time determining which of the colorful pumps to use.

How's this for the "I'm okay" hand signal, Mike? Well, all right,
we may need to work on it a bit, but give us credit, here, we're trying.

Steve had a very easy first day drafting off the [driverless, parked] van.

Paul and Kent, wearing twinkie slings,  were not so injured
that they could not hold heaping plates in the dinner line.

Tim gives Paul a buzz cut in the motel laundry room.
All the young guys, decided that their doo rags looked better over a shorn scalp.

Day 2 -- Over the mountains and through the woods . . .

June 21, 2005

ROUTE: St. Helens to Welches, OR           
DISTANCE:  75 miles                 
WINDS: Light tailwinds

WEATHER: Overcast and hazy with occasional drops of rain and occasional sunshine              TERRAIN: Easy early, gradual uphill for the last 30 miles or so    
TOTAL CLIMBING: 3200 feet

RIDE OVERVIEW: Is it Day 2 already?  I guess it is since here I sit at the base of the west slope of Mt. Hood at the lovely "Resort at the Mountain" in Welches, OR.  The village of Welches was founded in 1893 by Samuel Welch and his son as a campground.  In 1928, two golfing enthusiasts built a nine-hole golf course here, making Welches the first golf course in Oregon. The resort was purchased in 1938 during which time the new owner added a second nine-hole golf course.  In 1979 a company bought the resort and (you guessed it) added a third nine-hole golf course, thus creating the first 27-hole golf course in Oregon.  The Scottish motif of the present Resort at the Mountain was adopted throughout because of the similarity of the terrain to the Scottish Highlands and the history of golf.

I drove the SAG van today. Everyone was all smiles at the start of today’s 74-mile ride. They liked the way the elevation view on the route sheet looked—flat as the proverbial pancake for the first 42 miles -- many of which were on the Portland bike trail along the Columbia River . . . and then about 1,000 feet of climbing over the next 30 or so miles.  The day started sunny and breezy with a light tailwind.  It was almost a picture perfect day except for the fact that it was hazy all day and the beautiful views of Mt Hood were not happening as we neared Welches.  I hope we have a clear day tomorrow and get a close-up look of the mountain. 

Taking the exit ramp to the St John's Bridge

Today's route left St Helens on Hwy 30 and crossed the St John's bridge in Portland.  They are doing construction work on the bridge--as they were last year--but the riders all safely negotiated the nearly mile-long bridge and orange barrels to arrive in St. John’s at the first SAG stop, which was set up in a city park.

Though Portland is often called the “Microbrewery Capitol of the World,” none of the riders saw any of them as they skirted the city on a beautiful paved bike trail. They rode right by the Portland Airport and followed the Columbia River for quite some time, varying between streets and the paved bike path.

One thing I like about this part of the country is they have bike paths or bike lanes almost everywhere. You can go just about anywhere downtown in the major cities and be on a published bike route. But, anytime you try to navigate through a city with bike paths the route sheets get a bit confusing . . . and today was no exception.  Karen and I drove to the first SAG ahead of the riders, and from there Karen jumped onto her bike--spray paint can in pocket--and marked the route to guide everyone through the maze of Portland.  Everyone seemed to appreciate the easy navigation, but they better not get used to arrows everywhere.  In spite of our efforts, we had several riders leave the second SAG in the wrong direction.

When we reached S.E. Bluff Road, we had easy rolling and were flanked by tree nursery and tree nursery, many of them growing Japanese maples, among other trees. Several of the riders stopped for lunch in Sandy at Calamity Jane’s. It was here that riders helped Linda Mongold celebrate her 50th birthday.  Heard that the restaurant staff presented her with an ice cream birthday “cake” and stood her on a chair while they and the riders sang Happy Birthday.

Tonight's dinner was at Panda Panda, a Chinese restaurant where we also had route rap.  Tonight at route rap, Mike described the terrain and warned the riders that the toughest climb on this first leg to Boise is the last 150 yards to the motel in Kah-Nee-Ta. But I remember the road to Ka-Nee-Ta from last year and it is a beautiful road dropping from a plateau and winding in S-curves down through a box canyon and paralleled by a clear stream.

I think everyone is ready to do some real climbing tomorrow...they'd better be . . . and I get to ride!  I was supposed to ride Float, but switched with Josh to Sweep as all the climbing would have seen Josh riding Sweep on me I think. Shall wear my “Hill Slug” jersey tomorrow and no doubt everyone will see that it does not lie.

HEARD ON THE ROAD TODAY: 

• "Talk to me, talk to me!" (Carol on being passed unannounced by Big Bill from Portland.)  Later when describing this faux pas, Carol said, "Well, it's particularly important for someone your size [a big 6'7"]. Being passed by you is like being passed by a semi!"
• "Arrows? What arrows?"
• "I'm beginning to think that orange barrels are the Oregon state tree."

THE CHOICE: Today Craig asked Mechanic Mike to do something about his computer.  He has a Flight Deck and he kept inadvertently pushing the button and zeroing his data.  Mike said there was only three remedies for his problem.  He could either be more careful and not punch the button...he could duct tape a coke bottle cap over the button to keep from activating it when he had a spastic thumb jerk...OR...we could cut off his thumb.  Craig chose the first option since no one had a bottle cap or a knife.

DUH! OF THE DAY:  Goes to Matt and Paul F. who missed the exit to the St. John's bridge off SH-30--even though 1) it loomed large above them as they passed under it and there a large sign pointing them to it (see photo right above), 2) their route sheets marked the turn to the tenth of a mile, 3) they had a map on the back of their route sheets, and, of course, 4) the many other riders making the turn to guide them. To top it off, they did not see the error of their way (literally) for 10 miles, so won a whole 20-mile bonus! Mike has dubbed them Team Magellen for their navigation prowess. 

PHOTOS OF THE DAY:

Pete Cunningham demonstrates how to park a couple
of bikes sans kickstands or anything to lean the bike on

A rider passes an antique tractor on S.E. Bluff Road

It's only Day 2 and Jim and Pete decide that being 2 wasn't
all that bad, so decide to enroll in pre-school. They were not accepted . . .
the school required that their parents be present to sign the forms.

Val thinks that the little "Rs" on her route sheet mean 
pedal only with the right leg.

Steve decides to try out for the Rockettes. Trouble is, Steve,
the Rockettes did their synchronized routines while standing up!

Bikes outside Calamity Jane's . . .inside, Linda
Mongold's birthday bash rocked the house.

Day 3 -- A day of contrasts . . .

June 22, 2005

ROUTE: Welches to Kah-Nee-Ta Desert Resort & Casino on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation
DISTANCE:  66 miles          
WINDS: Cross wind climbing up through the alpine forests and then tailwind on the high mesa
WEATHER: Hodgepodge...cool and overcast at departure, foggy in the middle, then hot and dry to finish.
TERRAIN: Our first mountains--yee haw!     
TOTAL CLIMBING: 5400 feet

Just remembered that those who are reading Mike's web site, might be confused about who is writing it. Mike asked me to write the site on this ride so that he could get in a few extra zzzzzs each evening. It takes a couple of hours minimum to download photos and write the site, so over the past years it has been Mike's work of love at the end of some very long and tiring days. Mike needed a break, but we know that many of you follow Mike and your friends and relatives on his web site, so I was asked to ghost for Mike this year. I really enjoy writing it and I incorporate a lot from Mike's previous accounts of this ride. I hope you enjoy reading our days' adventures.

Susan Walker

RIDE OVERVIEW: We started the day with a short ride to the Whistle Stop for a hearty breakfast of eggs, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, fruit, oatmeal, and country home fries. They did a great job again of getting us all fed and out the door in short order with our tanks full for a long day of climbing. In fact, the woman who checked riders off at the door, reminded one and all to “Remember to potty!” Now that’s service with a smile.

The day started out chilly and overcast, with sifting rain. Although most of our early morning route was in the clouds, the climbing warmed us up pretty fast and riders were shedding clothing by the 40-mile point. I did not wait that long. I was riding Sweep today and started out in my windbreaker over my vest and a shower cap over my helmet. As soon as I was 10 feet into the climb, I shed my jacket and shower cap.

Today was to be our first real taste of the mountains but unfortunately, we didn't get to see them. Experience them, yes; see them, no. As riders were ascending to Government Camp, about 10 miles up, they were greeted by fog and very cool temperatures. Mt Hood hid all day. We never did see it.

We were expecting over 5200 feet of climbing and we got just that. Our first real test came about a half mile from where we ate breakfast. Not much time to wear off those pancake calories, but everyone seemed to be moving pretty well up the grade. The terrain was up continuously for the first 13 miles with pitches ranging from 3-6% from Welches to Government Camp. Even though it was chilly,  riders enjoyed the pine canopy, mossy rock formations, bear grass, and rhododendron as they pedaled their way to the summit.

Barb ran the first SAG stop out of Box (the Budget rental truck) at mile 13.5. There was a restaurant nearby where several had a slice of delicious huckleberry pie. Also public restrooms. Riders fueled up and most donned extra clothing for the long descent before the second climb to the desert.

The topography changes were phenomenal as we were in mountainous pine forests for 42 miles, until we made a left turn toward the resort. After the turn, the terrain changed immediately to high desert scrub, and then after about 10 miles of rolling terrain, we descended into the box canyon to the resort. Riders were greeted with a beautiful, winding descent into the valley floor and then smacked with a steep climb up to the motel. Some live for this experience . . . you decide which one, the up or the down. The scenery was beautiful all day and it was hard to believe that we were on the same ride, on the same day, at each of our SAGs. One was in the lush pine forests near Mt Hood and the other was out in the desert . . . and they were only 20 miles apart . . . .

Even with the tough climb to the motel, it was worth every pedal stroke. We stay at Kah-Nee-Ta, a resort named for the Indian woman Xnitla, or “Root Digger.” The resort is located on the 600,000-acre Warm Springs Reservation 119 miles east of Portland in the central Oregon high desert. It is a lovely place.  Mike says: “I hope riders don't get used to all this luxury. We might be spoiling them a bit. As they say in the south, we are in "high cotton" with spacious rooms, pool, jacuzzi, and a beautiful view of the climb we have to do tomorrow to leave. But wait, I may not have anybody want to leave tomorrow! Hey gang, we need to get to New Hampshire!”

All in all it was another successful day. We got all the riders in without incident . . . life is good. Tomorrow we climb back to the top of the mountain that we came off of on our way in. I enjoyed the descent but am glad that tomorrow is my day in the SAG van because tomorrow we climb again, and my legs are tired. But riders do get to go down the hill at the motel before climbing up the mountain . . . that will thwart their warm up. They are getting stronger whether they know it or not . . . just another bump in the road to Portsmouth.

HEARD ON THE ROAD TODAY: 

• "I didn't sleep well last night. Other riders told me they didn't sleep well either because they were anxious about all the climbing today. It's called 'elevation anxiety.' No, it cannot be cured with Viagra."
• "Mike takes a lot of photos of me. I'm moving so slow he has plenty of time to focus."
• "It's cold up here (at the top of a mountain). I wish I had gloves with fingers!"
• "It's hot out here (on the high desert). Why did I wear my long-sleeved jersey?"
• "I'd even get in a manure wagon at this point." (Howard discussing how Kah-Nee-Ta should send a vehicle down to transport its guests up the very long, steep road to the resort.) 
• "Where'd all the trees go?"

DUH[s]! OF THE DAY:  

1. Several people left their warm clothes in their luggage this morning, despite Mike warning them at Route Rap last night that it would be cold at the elevations we'd be climbing to. 
2. Fritz forgot to zip his rack pack and dropped a shoe along the shoulder. Mike ran back in Silver to pick it up. 
3. Kent lost a buckle off his helmet this morning and we all spent 10 minutes looking for it . . . only to discover that it was still snapped into the other half of the buckle. Duh.
4. IT'S ALL IN YOUR PERSPECTIVE COMMENT goes to Chips who commented at rap that instead of climbing (or walking up) the steep hill to the motel, we should have taken the employee's road to the motel . . . it was flat.  Now I'm no physics major but if both roads start at the same place and both go to the motel at the top of the mountain 500 feet up in a half mile, flat isn't in the description.  But it probably looked level when he was standing on the slope of the other hill.

PHOTOS OF THE DAY:

Who dressed Sonia this morning?

Coiled spring!!!

Everybody picks up a nickname on this ride, but few
spend the money to advertise themselves like this rider did.

Either this animal stood here a long time, or it's a very
large animal. I do know that I don't want to be here when it returns.

Rough, tough watch dog. We won't be choosing 
this route in the future.

Ahhh. Warm and dry, the perfect place for a picnic rest.  
Rattle-rattle-rattle . . .

Bill's trying to outrun the tailwind that's blowing his flag 
in the same direction he's going.

Screaming downhill off the mesa, Chips came around a curve and
encountered two bovines in the center of the road. "Mooooove,"
 he shouted as he looped into the opposing lane to avoid them.

Poor Howard (and others). Not so much as a manure wagon
appeared to transport them up the steep hill to Kah-Nee-Ta. 
They had to walk and push their bikes. At Route Rap this evening,
 Mike told all those who walked up that they could not ride down
 in the morning . . . had to walk down, in bike shoes . . .
and carrying their luggage.

Ahoy maties, it's a trio of pirates in search of a parrot. 
Aarrrrgh and shiver me timbers!