As Willie Nelson would say, “On the road again! I just can’t wait to get on the road again!” We ate a late breakfast, about 6:30 AM, and then loaded the truck. It was a beautiful day and the temperature was cool. I love riding early in the morning. The fresh smells and cool air are invigorating. We rode on a bike path on our way out of town and then climbed up toward the freeway, I84. We spent a lot of time on the shoulder of the freeway today. It isn’t pleasant but you manage to tune out the fast traffic on your left. You have to be particularly careful when you cross exit ramps and entrance ramps. In addition, truck weigh stations are dangerous as well.

Now with all of that said, I have never had a morning of riding like this morning. We had a strong tail wind all the way to Mountain Home and for much of the ride the pavement was as smooth as glass. Mary took off on us early and rode with the fastest rider on the tour named Mike. We speculate that it was because in Boise, she bought a new muscle bike jersey. She looks like an “Iron Woman!” She left the rest of us lowly slow riders in the dust. This was her day!

Later, Mary said she decided to slow down to wait for us. Yeah, right! We think she fell of the back of Mike’s tire and couldn’t keep up. Dan and I got into a rather philosophical mood and had a deep conversation about life while Steve caught up with Mary. Now while all of this is unfolding, we are cruising along about 25-27 mph. We all regrouped at the SAG stop. We refueled and headed for Mountain Home.

We once again resumed our customary speed of 25. Dan was pulling the pace line when Mary, who is bringing up the rear, yelled out, “Hey, does anyone have a newspaper I could read?” Dan leaned back over his shoulder and asked me to repeat what she had said. I told him and he responded by putting the hammer down! He took off, with me following, with a vengeance. As soon as Mary had made her original remark, Steve moaned loudly, “Mary, not now!’ We could hear Mary yelling her apology, as her voice drifted off in the distance while Dan continued to accelerate. We soon slowed, regrouped, and broke into laughter.

I took the lead and was cruising at a cool 29 mph when my rear tire blew out. It had nearly a _ inch gash through the tire and into the tube. Steve and I changed the tube and booted the tire with a piece of Kevlar that I carry for just this reason. We were back on the road again in about 15 minutes. Steve soon took the lead and led us all into Mountain Home. Steve just cooked today! No more rest for him.

What a wonderful day of riding. A number of us said we should just continue on to Twin Falls, another 97 miles, and make good use of this tail wind. We have had another great day of riding. I didn’t take many pictures today. I will take a few of the landscape here outside Mountain Home. Twin Falls, here we come. Grand Teton, we are reeling you in. We hope to sail across the plans of southern Idaho and conquer Teton Pass.
Thanks for riding along.

Click here to see more pictures from today!