We entered Idaho on Saturday, July 4. The route was published as 101 miles. Everyone was careful not to get off track, and fortunately the route was not difficult. The heat continues which made the mileage a tough day. I was SAG that day.
The plan was to set up SAG stops at 15 miles, following a 5 mile climb; and at 30 miles, just before an awesome 4 mile technical descent. The van would meet the riders at 40 miles to provide lunch, and I would move ahead.
The climb was early with shade and the coolness of early morning, but that means everyone spreads out quickly on the climb.
After lunch I had to hustle to catch the front, who had been without support for over 2 hours since they'd left the lunch stop. Then, I started back through the group and stopped at each rider or group of riders to provide water. I had buy ice twice on Saturday to add to the water jug to help keep the water cold. Water bottles on bikes don't stay cold very long with the heat of the pavement so close. When I stopped the second time, I found an ice shortage of some nature as everyone in the convenience store was there for ice and the coolers were bare. It was brutal.
About half the group completed the route, with the final group arriving at Priest River around 6 p.m., roughly 12 hours after the start. It's hard to describe what it's like to ride that kind of mileage in that kind of heat. The final riders were stopping about every 5 miles just for a short break off the seat and away from the heat of the pavement.
The route was beautiful and took us through or near Crystal Falls, Usk and Newport. We were also able to view the Manressa Grotto and traveled through the Kalispell Tribe of Indians -- having a nice visit with one of the tribes' law enforcement officials who stopped to make sure we didn't need assistance. That was probably a matter of opinion at that point, but we assured him we were fine.
One of the amazing things of that day, was re-tracing the route with one of the riders to find a misplaced iPad. It was found along the road where it had been dropped about 30 miles from the end. After laying in the heat all day, it actually still worked; and all was right with the world.
There were some fireworks over the river that evening, and Sunday was an off day in Priest River which means laundry, cleaning out the SAG vehicle and watching the USA win the World Cup.
More mail was waiting at Priest River, so here is Saturday's joke from Sophia and Natalie (it's a good one) --
Q: What did one eye say to the other?
A: Between me and you, something smells!
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