Well, today started off early with lots of promise on the horizon. Sabrina, Wayne and I started off early enough to make the 95 mile trek in plenty of time to arrive for our host Rotarian’s planned dinner meal. Wayne planned on riding half the journey, about to American Falls, and then switching with Ben riding the remainder of the way. We even figured we’d have enough time to stop at Massacre Rock State Park. Now, do you want the good news first or the bad news?
First the good news – We made it to Massacre Rock and got to actually see the ruts from the Oregon Trail where the emigrants crossed through the area near the Snake River before they decided to either follow the California Trail or the Oregon Trail. We rode on Highways 84 & 86 and the road surface and the traffic condition were excellent. The last good things for this day were that we made it to Blackfoot alive, the campsite at the East Idaho Fairgrounds was great and we were treated to a wonderful dinner at our host Rotarian’s home. Brendon Bird and his family put on a feed fit for the hungriest of travelers and even invited us back for breakfast the next morning. I guess we didn’t make too bad of an impression, considering that Sabrina and I had rolled into camp right before Brendon’s daughters arrived to take us to their house and we didn’t even get a chance to shower or change clothes. I even forgot to change my biking glasses and arrived at their house looking like I had frog eyes! Can you guess why we didn’t have much time to clean up?
Well this is where the bad news starts. Of course you’ve guessed that we finished the day late, obviously as the result of the days trials and tribulations. To start the day off, highway 84 had road construction for the first 10 miles, so we bravely opted to go on country roads that ran parallel to the highway. Great choice for the first 4 miles, 300N was a smooth road that we had all to ourselves. At the end of 300N, we went left for a short distance and then onto 400N, which was not quite as nice. It started out running through a diary farm next to the barn and now it was a gravel road. Not too bad on my hybrid bike, but Wayne and Sabrina have skinny tires and that caused some added difficulty to their riding. It gets better. Highway 400N ends at a “T”, left goes ???? and right says “Dead End.” Wayne figures the DE ends up at the highway which we can see off in distance about 3/4 of a mile away. We play follow the leader. Well again in about ¼ mile, sure enough it Dead Ends, but there are 2 rut along a fence line that run in the direction of the highway. So, we follow them until they end at the highway? No, they end at an irrigation pump station. Who’da thunk that? Well, the highway is still ½ mile away and we only have a hay field and ¼ mile of sage brush to cross. Go back? No way, we’re pioneers now! Through the mowed field, over a barb wire fence into the sage brush, one more fence and we’re there at the edge of the highway and ready to ride. Wait! Out of the blue, my phone rings. Ben informs us that we’ve left him and Charlotte in the camp with NO KEYS TO THE TRUCK! Oh s___! Now it’s time to part ways, so Wayne returns to camp with the keys and Sabrina and I head towards Blackfoot. Poor Wayne has 8 miles to ride into a headwind! All’s good, right, for about 4 miles and then I got my first flat tire. No biggie. Replace it and back on the road in 10 minutes. Wayne gets to the truck and meets us at the next rest stop for the next 12 miles to Massacre Rock State Park. Riding into the park Wayne says something’s rubbing on one of the brakes. Upon inspection, I discover that the rear wheel has a broken spoke and has a whoop in it that’s making the rim rub on the brake. This is starting to wear on me now, we still have about 65 mile to Blackfoot and it’s now 1:30. Ben replaces the spoke, replaces the tire and puts it back on the bike. Now we can traipse off to see the ruts of the Oregon Trail. Back at the park information center, we prepare to get on the road again. Check tires, I decide and guess what? Now Ben’s got a flat! Fix the second one today and hit the road, for another 4-5 miles and Ben gets another flat. He fixes this one and as soon as he pumps it up, it goes flat. That’s it, Ben gives up and we call Wayne to pick him up. This road has a lot of tire debris (blown out retreads from trailer trucks) and the wires pop tires like nobody’s business. Sabrina and I continue to Blackfoot and I only had ONE MORE FLAT TIRE! I run out of water with 10 miles to go and we finally make it to camp around 7:30. It was a great day of riding, flat and fast; four flat tires and a broken spoke. Total today = 95 miles and 100 headaches.
First the good news – We made it to Massacre Rock and got to actually see the ruts from the Oregon Trail where the emigrants crossed through the area near the Snake River before they decided to either follow the California Trail or the Oregon Trail. We rode on Highways 84 & 86 and the road surface and the traffic condition were excellent. The last good things for this day were that we made it to Blackfoot alive, the campsite at the East Idaho Fairgrounds was great and we were treated to a wonderful dinner at our host Rotarian’s home. Brendon Bird and his family put on a feed fit for the hungriest of travelers and even invited us back for breakfast the next morning. I guess we didn’t make too bad of an impression, considering that Sabrina and I had rolled into camp right before Brendon’s daughters arrived to take us to their house and we didn’t even get a chance to shower or change clothes. I even forgot to change my biking glasses and arrived at their house looking like I had frog eyes! Can you guess why we didn’t have much time to clean up?
Well this is where the bad news starts. Of course you’ve guessed that we finished the day late, obviously as the result of the days trials and tribulations. To start the day off, highway 84 had road construction for the first 10 miles, so we bravely opted to go on country roads that ran parallel to the highway. Great choice for the first 4 miles, 300N was a smooth road that we had all to ourselves. At the end of 300N, we went left for a short distance and then onto 400N, which was not quite as nice. It started out running through a diary farm next to the barn and now it was a gravel road. Not too bad on my hybrid bike, but Wayne and Sabrina have skinny tires and that caused some added difficulty to their riding. It gets better. Highway 400N ends at a “T”, left goes ???? and right says “Dead End.” Wayne figures the DE ends up at the highway which we can see off in distance about 3/4 of a mile away. We play follow the leader. Well again in about ¼ mile, sure enough it Dead Ends, but there are 2 rut along a fence line that run in the direction of the highway. So, we follow them until they end at the highway? No, they end at an irrigation pump station. Who’da thunk that? Well, the highway is still ½ mile away and we only have a hay field and ¼ mile of sage brush to cross. Go back? No way, we’re pioneers now! Through the mowed field, over a barb wire fence into the sage brush, one more fence and we’re there at the edge of the highway and ready to ride. Wait! Out of the blue, my phone rings. Ben informs us that we’ve left him and Charlotte in the camp with NO KEYS TO THE TRUCK! Oh s___! Now it’s time to part ways, so Wayne returns to camp with the keys and Sabrina and I head towards Blackfoot. Poor Wayne has 8 miles to ride into a headwind! All’s good, right, for about 4 miles and then I got my first flat tire. No biggie. Replace it and back on the road in 10 minutes. Wayne gets to the truck and meets us at the next rest stop for the next 12 miles to Massacre Rock State Park. Riding into the park Wayne says something’s rubbing on one of the brakes. Upon inspection, I discover that the rear wheel has a broken spoke and has a whoop in it that’s making the rim rub on the brake. This is starting to wear on me now, we still have about 65 mile to Blackfoot and it’s now 1:30. Ben replaces the spoke, replaces the tire and puts it back on the bike. Now we can traipse off to see the ruts of the Oregon Trail. Back at the park information center, we prepare to get on the road again. Check tires, I decide and guess what? Now Ben’s got a flat! Fix the second one today and hit the road, for another 4-5 miles and Ben gets another flat. He fixes this one and as soon as he pumps it up, it goes flat. That’s it, Ben gives up and we call Wayne to pick him up. This road has a lot of tire debris (blown out retreads from trailer trucks) and the wires pop tires like nobody’s business. Sabrina and I continue to Blackfoot and I only had ONE MORE FLAT TIRE! I run out of water with 10 miles to go and we finally make it to camp around 7:30. It was a great day of riding, flat and fast; four flat tires and a broken spoke. Total today = 95 miles and 100 headaches.
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Great commentary--we can feel your pain AND your pioneering spirit. I see a second career forming for you Paul--bike trek consultant and expert flat fixer.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear Sabrina's voice today, as though she's calling from Cossaduck Hill, not Idaho. Good luck on tomorrow's big push. Let us know how it goes. We'll raise a glass to you under the vineyard stars, listening to Brothers McCann tomorrow night.
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