Day 8 -- Rain, rain go away, don't come again, just let us play. . .

June 27, 2005

ROUTE: Ontario, OR to Boise, ID             

DISTANCE:  62 miles                  

WINDS: Variable with some mild headwinds

WEATHER: Light rain off and on all day      

TERRAIN: Rolling to flat            

TOTAL CLIMBING: 2,739 feet

RIDE OVERVIEW: We awoke this morning to a thunderstorm so delayed loading until 8 am to give it a chance to slide by--which it did, but light rain continued off an on for the duration of the ride . . . and then came down in buckets in Boise around 5:30 pm after all were in, thank goodness. Riders donned their rain gear, some getting creative in their methods of staying dry (see Photos of the Day below), and started out gamely in light rain. When they got half a mile down the road (actually "up" the road at the top of a hill), they found themselves in Idaho, their second state, and a few stopped to take the requisite photo.

The first part of today's route wends east on little trafficked farm-to-market roads bordered by small farms and occasional houses. The road rolled considerably and looked at times like a piece of ribbon candy. The first 15 miles contained 7 turns, so riders were kept alert checking their computers. Nonetheless a few riders missed a turn and were reported to me in the SAG van. I ran after them in White, but by the time I got the opportunity they must have discovered the error of their ways and returned to the route because I never found them. 'Course no one's 'fessing up to having misread their route sheet. [For some reason this reminds me of Cliff, but I am happy to report that Cliff--in the care of his pathfinders--managed to navigate flawlessly . . . unless that was Cliff who continued over the hill when he should have turned right.] 

Richards at Boise's Hyde Park

As riders neared Boise, the road became more urban, but continued to be quiet as the route veered off into a residential area and then eventually entered Hyde Park. Hyde Park, an esoteric narrow spot on the road, is a favorite place for riders to stop for lunch before continuing to the hotel, a Courtyard by Marriott about 2 miles away. Even with the later start, almost everyone was early since it was a short, relatively easy day. Riders have also learned by now that it is bootless to get to the motel early: their rooms are usually not ready and the baggage may not have been unloaded. So, riders kicked back and relaxed in Hyde Park with the friends they have made on the road.

Since it was a short day, we set up only one SAG stop midway between Ontario and Boise. It was in a large, clean Shell station/CS. When I got there I found Deanna Livsey, a rider on the inaugural North ride, with a large bag of homemade cookies. Deanna had recently moved from the Chicago area to Boise and she was kind to tell the riders about the area and to lift their spirits with homemade cookies on this damp day. Thank you Deanna! Not all of the riders got a cookie, however, as the cookies disappeared almost before I set the bag on the SAG table.

After getting to the motel, riders helped unload the baggage truck, then took clean rags from a giant box of rags donated by the motel and used the outside hose to clean their bikes of accumulated road grime. Mike conducted R-Rap at 3:30, and I passed out information and talked about what to see and do in Boise.

Tomorrow should be a fun day for both staff and riders. We staff get to welcome five new riders: Gary Hayler and David Odell who both rode the Astoria to Boise leg last year, and also Aldo Sibeni, Theresa Stadler (Aldo's daughter), and Terry Johannesen, a fellow Oklahoman from Bartlesville. Riders get to explore Boise and enjoy a little R & R. At R-Rap, we said our final good-byes to apprentice staffer Mike Miller, who has been the muscle behind luggage loading and cooler lugging. One of the riders, Sue Dickson, has graciously volunteered to help with staff duties since we are shorthanded. We also said our final good-byes to riders Pete Gudmundson, Kent Kraft, John Campbell, and Dennis Parker whose northwestern leg ended in Boise. I will miss them. After all, it took me a week to get Pete and Kent's names attached to the correct faces. Look for a report again on Wednesday's ride out of Boise. Also check out the riders' bios again. I've added quotations and occupations to those who supplied that info.

HEARD ON THE ROAD TODAY: 

• Carol: "What was that foul smelling odor that we passed several times today?"
  Val: "I don't know. Are you sure it was a plant? Who were you riding behind?"
• (At the Sandhollow Cafe where riders met a couple of local characters):
  Local #1: "When do you get to have a beer?"
  Rider: "About every 10 days."
  Local #1: "Nope. Wouldn't work for me!"
  Local #2: "Do you have a Dead Wagon follow you?" [This must be cowboy speak. What's a Dead Wagon? A hearse? The knacker man?]
  Local #1: "You get saddle sores riding a bike? I sometimes get saddle sores if I'm on my horse too long."
• "I just assumed that no one in their right mind would ride in such conditions.  I guess I was right."
• "His body fat percentage is lower than my mortgage rate."

DUH! OF THE DAY:  Goes to Don, who decided to lunch at Richard's in Hyde Park with his ride mates Tim, Shep, Duane, Albert, Fred, and Murray. Suddenly Don  reads the card on the table that says, "This table's reserved for Richard's guests," and says, "Hey, this table's reserved. We've got to move." The others held up their Richard's menus.

PHOTOS OF THE DAY:

Tim's no fair weather friend. He shares his hands-free
umbrella with Don, even when inside out of the rain.

Are we in the Galapagos? I spotted a couple of  
blue-footed boobies at the SAG.

I also saw two black-footed bicyclists at the SAG. 
Style Man would approve.

Joe left in such a hurry this morning that he forgot 
to remove his shower cap

Always ready to serve our guests, Josh
jumps to it and cleans Jim's fairing for him.

Yes, the staff rides rain or shine. This brief respite
from rain was practically the only glimpse of ABB jerseys 
on this day when everyone was wearing rain gear.