ABBN13: Burley to Blackfoot, Id

  Most Americans spend the 4th of July with bar-b-q and beer, not riding their bicycle 110 miles across Idaho.  ‘Not sure who had the best idea here.  Our day would have been better with a 75 mile ride.  The 110 was somewhat difficult since we had a headwind most of the day.  But it was pretty flan and the roads were good. We were in the interstate for 7.5 miles but we were in Old Highway 30 for 35 miles and Route 39 North for 51 miles.  We love long distances without turns – you don’t have to think, just pedal. After dinner update: we had bar-b-q and (many of us) beer just like everyone else.

Mike Monk has taken dozens of photos of me along the road but none have made his blog.  But last night’s  Scavenger Hunt presentation finally got me on his web site.  Some people will do anything for publicity. Oh well, we did win first place.

The 7.5 miles on I84 shoulder were eerie today: no cars. In fact, there didn’t seem to be cars on most roads today.

We’re noticed each night, the elevation is creeping up, Of course we started at sea level. Last week we were around 2,500 feet. Last night we noticed we’re around 4,000.  And then today, at about mille 25, we started noticing a mountain range on the horizon (photo on left): the Rockies!  This means we’re going to do some serious climbing soon; starting on Monday if I understand the schedule.  This week might end up the toughest week yet.

Another thing we’ve noticed is cloud build-up in the afternoon. So far the only storm was the day before yesterday after we completed the  ride.  But we know our time is coming.  We’ve already had the safety lecture about lightening.  See photos of cloud build-up at the bottom of the blog.

Day	Miles today	Feet climbed	Hrs in saddle	Miles so far	Miles to go	Days to go
13	110	1,006	8.3	961	2,722	37