Week Three
July 14. Boise to Mountain Home, Idaho
After a good rest in Boise yesterday we were again on the road today. We are still in a high pressure system and experiencing hot sunny weather. The sun in this desert area is very intense and sun burns, lip cracking and heat exhaustion. So far people are standing up well but the heat saps energy and later this week we will have longer days and climbs. It will test us.
I amd my team were on sweep today where we are responsible to help those along the way that are having difficulty get the help they need and getting them into camp. This means a slower day and a real chance to get to know your fellow riders and see the country. I rode with Dale, Lynn, Roger and Jim today. We did not have to provide to much assistance today. The road was good and short with a tail wind to boot. But it was hot. One of the cycle computers registered 107 °F this afternoon. At one point 2 vultures were circling overhead and I borrowed a line from the Monty Python film “Holy Grail” , “I’m not dead yet!” The vultures were interested in some road kill and not us cyclists so we arrived in Mountain Home safely and revived ourselves with an ice cream and showers.
July 14. Boise to Mountain Home, Idaho
After a good rest in Boise yesterday we were again on the road today. We are still in a high pressure system and experiencing hot sunny weather. The sun in this desert area is very intense and sun burns, lip cracking and heat exhaustion. So far people are standing up well but the heat saps energy and later this week we will have longer days and climbs. It will test us.
I amd my team were on sweep today where we are responsible to help those along the way that are having difficulty get the help they need and getting them into camp. This means a slower day and a real chance to get to know your fellow riders and see the country. I rode with Dale, Lynn, Roger and Jim today. We did not have to provide to much assistance today. The road was good and short with a tail wind to boot. But it was hot. One of the cycle computers registered 107 °F this afternoon. At one point 2 vultures were circling overhead and I borrowed a line from the Monty Python film “Holy Grail” , “I’m not dead yet!” The vultures were interested in some road kill and not us cyclists so we arrived in Mountain Home safely and revived ourselves with an ice cream and showers.
At our Peloton meeting tonight we were informed we have had 238 flats so far on this journey. We have also had more than 50 falls, mostly from not unclipping when stopping. But God has provided safety on the road so far and we pray for his continued protection. Ad DeBlij from Haiti spoke a little about his work with CRWRC in Haiti that he has been involved in for years. Haiti is the poorest nation in the western hemisphere with 50% of tht population living in extreme poverty. Ad described some of the work CRWRC is doing with literacy with adults as one of the projects. Such need is what we are cycling for and I am glad to report the cause has raised over 1.8 million todate.
Well the bats and mosquitoes are our playing their case and dodge game and I am starting to feel the effects of the mosquitoes. So good night to all and God Bless.
July 15, Mountain Home to Gooding
A short blog today. A very hot 100 Km ride today. Temperatures reached 110°F and I have drunk more H₂O than at any time in my life. We expect the same tomorrow. The road is through sage brush country and some irrigated fields. No shade! We have a wind tonight which is refreshing. Many cyclist are struggling with the heat but we are all doing the distance each day. The spirit in camp is very good and we are still safe from serious harm. The local community of Gooding has been most welcoming and to our relief has a Dairy Queen as we road in. We will leave earlier tomorrow to beat the heat.
Well the bats and mosquitoes are our playing their case and dodge game and I am starting to feel the effects of the mosquitoes. So good night to all and God Bless.
July 15, Mountain Home to Gooding
A short blog today. A very hot 100 Km ride today. Temperatures reached 110°F and I have drunk more H₂O than at any time in my life. We expect the same tomorrow. The road is through sage brush country and some irrigated fields. No shade! We have a wind tonight which is refreshing. Many cyclist are struggling with the heat but we are all doing the distance each day. The spirit in camp is very good and we are still safe from serious harm. The local community of Gooding has been most welcoming and to our relief has a Dairy Queen as we road in. We will leave earlier tomorrow to beat the heat.
1 comment:
Glad to hear you're doing well! Keep drinking that water and don't neglect your electrolytes, either! Rem was going to call you tonight but discovered we don't have your new cell number. So please drop us an email or leave the number on the machine and we'll catch up with you somewhere along the way. Happy pedalling!
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