Day 6 - Spokane to Sandpoint

Day 6 - Spokane to Sandpoint

The morning started off with a distinct chill in the air. UP at 4:45 to cover Rodney’s lunch duty, it was an early morning. Truck packed and loaded we headed to breakfast. TMI my saddle sores were a considerable worry of mine. It hurt to sit and I didn’t know how I would be able to do the bike seat all day.

After another hot breakfast at the school cafeteria, we headed out and my butt was okay, but I was FREEZING to death. Steve and I were today’s team and he lent me his wind vest which was just enough to take the edge off.

5,000-10,000 shady potholes later we were rolling out of town. The potholes were always in the shade which make them really hard to see. I decided part of why they were always in the shade, was the shade is what kep those section of road from drying outt and thus that is always where the pothole starts.

Cruising along, Steve and I were moving and it felt good. We vowed to stopped at anything that evenly remotely peeked out interest. I stopped to get a ride and Picture in the “BIG” swing.



Later we were just cruising. Michael had started out early and was ahead of us and we managed to catch him. I had moved my camera bag to my handle bars and when I saw Michael I got the camera out and shot a movie from my handlebars as I tracked him down. I need to edit it but there is apoint where you can see Michael and I come up behind and then as I pass I spin the camera to keep it on him and get him from behind and then front. For being on a bike I like the camera work a lot. I will have to edit that and post it later.

Here is are an overthe shoulder shot I took of Steve and I.



On down the road, I called a break at the tome of this hill. I stop, and I here Steve yell. I turn just in time to see his wheel sink 4 inches and stop in sand and he goes over the front end. Not really a crash, more of a fall. He wasn’t hurt and took it well. Sitting there resting I realized that the next water break was 1/4 mile down the hill. Ooops. We finished our break up top and then rolled down to the water break. Lots of the group got there so we have great pics. Here is our water break.





From Here Steve and I head out and into Idaho. Our second state! Idaho is gorgeous. The deep blue of hte sky with white puffy clouds with dark grey bottoms catching shadows on the mountain sides... awe just breathtaking.



Idaho was jsut amazing and even with all the pictures we rolled in in 5 hours 8 seconds elapsed time! Fast. We were in just at Noon. Pollie was just getting in to camp and not ready for us to be there yet, so we checked in and then headed into town for lunch and exploring with Rodney.

We found a fabulous lunch spot with stuffed potatoes, soups, sandwiches etc. They even had Weinhard’s rootbeer! It was perfect day for me. The wait staff didn’t believe that we had ridden 80 miles, alothough we looke like we had! We ate lunch out ont he deck over looking the Marina.

Isn’t this and awesome lunch spot?




I called back home to report on such a perfect day to Dave. I wish he had been able to ride with us.

Leaving lunch we met a local couple relocated from New York, Ron and Joan, who were casual cyclists. They were super welcoming and invited a group of us to come out for dinner and stay in their guest rooms. guilty of leaving the group, but looking forward to beds for the evening, we accepted. Giddy we rode back to camp and Kari, Rodney and I came up with our plan to see what we would have to do to carry minimal luggage with us and leave our bags with the truck.

Back in camp we learned of the first big mechanical failure. Toronto Dave’s freewheel had seized up 6 miles out. It wouldn’t shift and would only spin with the pedals in a direct drive motion. It worked out that the brother law of Jeff was coming to visit and had a bike shop in his hip pocket and could bring the recommended part.

Toronto Dave was worried if he would be able to ride but it worked out and mechanic Dave had him running by morning.

About 5:30 we headed over to Ron and Joan’s and Steve and Pollie, who were also invited came shortly later, after Pollie had given the evening dinner announcements.

I will write more about Ron and Joan’s marvelous hospitality but for now I am out of time. So stay tuned.

All in all it was the Perfect Day!