We loaded at 6:15 AM and ate at 6:30 AM. I didn't look at my watch but I would guess that we left about 7:30 AM. I do need to mention that Steve, Dan, Mary and I all sat at the same table for breakfast. Others were sitting with us as well. We are all tired and brain dead and I made some comment that really isn't worth repeating about the condition of my seat, and I don't mean my bike seat. The entire table went into hysterics for about 5 minutes. I had to take my glasses off and dry my eyes, as did others. This lets you know how the day started, uncontrollable laughter!

We started our ride almost like any other day except Dan felt strong and took off up the road. Steve was a ways ahead of me and I started to drop back to ride with Mary. She yelled at me to go on and I could tell by her New Jersey tone of voice that she meant it. So I moved on up to where Steve was riding.

I asked Steve if he wanted to reel Dan in. He agreed so I told him to climb on. (That means draft behind me.) So I pulled us up the road for awhile and waved Steve up to pull. This allowed me to fall in behind him and suck his tire for a while as I recuperated. As we approached Dan and a large group of riders I told Steve to blow by all of them and see if they would take the bait. We did and they did.

As soon as we raced by Dan pursued. Now the group was already moving at a brisk pace. I would guess that Steve and I were moving about 24 miles per hour. Dan took off after us and the entire group gave chase. For the next 10-15 miles we raced down the road hitting speeds up to 34 miles per hour.

During this time there were numerous break aways and pursuits by individuals. When the pace seemed to slow a bit, I would lean over to Dan and say, "Let's take it up a notch," and off we would go again. We were all having the best time! We did this up to the first sag stop. We all got in and were laughing and replaying the antics that had just gone on.

After refueling our bodies I went on with the lead group of riders and Dan laid back with Steve and Mary. The group I was with hammered it all the way to Ontario. At the end there were only three of us left, Torre, Steve (Walnut Creek) and I. I averaged for the 82 miles a little over 17 miles per hour. What a day! We got to the motel in Ontario at 12:30 PM. We were the first in. We beat the luggage truck. There was nothing to do but to begin the refueling process immediately and start to get our bodies ready for the next day. I like to ride like this once in a while but as you can see there were not as many pictures taken and not nearly as much conversation. I will have to admit, there are some competitive bones still left in this old man.

On a sad note. You remember Joyce who had heat stroke the other day and rode a tandem with her husband, Bill. She did not ride today so she could recover. Bill was riding the tandem by himself and took a spill. He broke his patella and was taken to the Ontario hospital for surgery. They are both out for the rest of the ride. I will miss this wonderful couple. Bill and Joyce are the kind of couple you feel like you have known your whole life only after a few minutes. I wish Bill a speedy recovery. We will miss them very much.

Tomorrow is 60 miles into Boise. I am excited because Barb is coming to visit me on our rest day. I haven't seen her since Astoria on day 0.

As you can see, we are all having fun but this can be very dangerous. I appreciate all of you who have expressed your good will and are praying for my safety. I am doing well, but I am looking forward to a needed day of rest.

Click here to see more pictures from today!