54 miles ridden – 1414 feet climbed – and it was hot!

I think we all went into breakfast this morning with a certain amount of trepidation about how today would feel after a day off but it was a beautiful day and we started in a moderate temperature of about 20C.

The first few miles it of Boise were on a beautiful cycle path which meandered through parks and along rivers before we moved onto roads. The first stretch took us up to a ridge that looked back over the Boise sprawl which like many views we see is impressive to see with eyes but can’t be captured by camera. Shortly after this we joined our old friend Interstate 84 for about 10 miles to the first SAG stop. We are all getting a little more relaxed about the Interstates and although crossing the the exit and entry slip roads is always a moment of marginal fear, the main carriageway sections were not too bad at all and today at least all the drivers seemed quite considerate. 
I am riding most of the time with Darin Cote from Texas (right in white) and Murray and Heather McLeod from Adelaide

In addition to having a laugh together we are able to motivate each other when, as we tend to during the course of each day, we need a bit of a ‘lift’. After the SAG we were back on very quiet roads with virtually no traffic and in fact virtually nothing at all apart from other cyclists – in this case another good buddy of mine Harry Lewis who lives in Pleasantville New York the next town to White Plains where I went to college (small world)

Those who do live out there, particularly on this street, obviously have a sense of humour or see mirages:

Among the many cultural experiences I have enjoyed so far was today’s lunch trip to Wingers which I am told is a more sports oriented competitor of Hooters. Not sure I see this but the sticky fingers salad was pretty good.

Tomorrow is a long day (97 miles) and while the temperature is forecast to be a degree or two cooler, breakfast at 5:30 should allow us to get a good chuck of distance out of the way in the cooler part of the day.

Missing you all at home but missing you with a smile!