Day 7 - Sandpoint to Thompson Falls

Day 7 - Sandpoint to Thompson Falls

5:00 a.m we left Ron and Joan’s and headed back to camp to rejoin the group for breakfast.

It was chilly!!! I am looking forward to when every morning stops being really chilly. I may regret statement later, but for now...

The lake was beautiful as we rode back over the bridge. See..




Back in camp we headed out with warnings to watch for moose. We rode past some glass smooth ponds where I am not surprised moose would hang out.



We had this beautiful scenery as we rode.



A little lower we saw this deer as she crossed the road just before the water stop.




After this I jumped in withthe Espresso Express, which is mostlythe young kids, with one old Army guy leader. I rode with them through clouds of gnats that just pelted you. At one point trying to swat them away as I was coming downhill, I knowcked my mirror off and had to climb back up the hill to find it. Oh brother.

Eventually we made the Montana State line and our 3rd state!!!



As we got into Montana my good day started to shift. The pain started creeping back in my legs and my achilles was really starting to bother me in my left heel. I wasn’t riding symmetrically as I was trying ot compensate for the Achilles. Non symmetry riding just screwed up everything else. My other leg then was cramping etc. It got bad.

I was ready for a long break at the Midway checkpoint. I took a long break and reapplied my sunscreen. Mike’s Espresso Express headed out and so I quick finished my sunscreen grabbed my bike and headed out. That single incident came back to haunt me.

We rolled on and were doing well. Liz had some hot tar adhere itself to her tire and start causing tire problems. Since I had spare tire, we pulled over and she changed her first tire, with all 5 of us guys giving 11 different opinions. It was comedy.



We made it tot he next waterstop and I that was when I realized that 25 back at the checkpoint I had dashed off so fast that I had not put my theatre engaement ring back on. I had lost the ring I had worn for 13 years from my ex-wife. I was upset and distraught. We came up with a plan to have one of the other vehicles man the water station and Cathy, one of our supprt crew drove me back to the checkpoint and helped me look for the ring.

In the end we searched long and hard and did 2 sweeps and still never found it. After 2 sweeps we gave up and left it for lost.

By the time I got back to my bike at the water stop, I was mix of negative emotions. Upset at myself for losing it. Sad for having lost it. Frustrated for haveing taken so long today and feeling so physically beat.

I told Cathy at least I had my bike and 25 miles to console which is just what I would have wanted to console me. At this point my achilles hurt enough that i could barely walk, but I still crushed those last 25 miles. I dipped below 20mph only 3 times and held sustained 30-32 mph sections on flat ground. I was MOVING. I legally sped through town at 27 mph when it ws only 25mph.

I hadn’t had enough food, since I had missed lunch prep because of staying with Ron and Joan. I had been slow. I was hurt. I was tired, Hungry frustrated. I decided to sleep outside with my tent separated from everyone else. Trying not ot let my energy become contagioius.

I did come to the understanding, that God must have thought it time for me to be done with everything Lesley and let that part of my life become distant past.

IT was my worst day. I suppose in the balance of things my terrible day should follow my best day.
Hopefully tomorrow will be better. Actually hopefully tomorrow I just hope my achilles will let me pedal.

Heading to bed - beaten. At least I know I can’t lose of misplace God’s love and grace and right now that is very valuable.