Biking with Bill

DESTINATION MILES

As we weaved out of Boise we could see the small mountains/big hills outside this State Capitol City. We have been told by the locals - at the bike shops and in town- that these hills are covered with more than 50 miles of super mountain biking trails.

It was 7:30 am on a cloudy morning. The Rest Day was over....we were back at "WORK"; biking 50 miles to Mountain Home, Idaho. Like all work days, some are easier, less strenuous than others. This was one of those less taxing days; relatively low mileage and essentially flat terrain. However, they do average out. Tomorrow is a 97 mile day in HEAT--according to forcasts.

For 6 or 7 miles we rode on a pedestrian only bicycle path that is part of the great pathway system in Boise. It took us out of town. We then passed a huge complex for Micron Technology, a maker of PC's and chips on the outskirts of the city.

At mile marker 13 we got on I-84 and rode it to mile 44, the exit for our host city Mountain Home, ID. I was initially impressed with the condition of the bike path on the highway, but true to form for all interstate highways it had its share of debris: shattered truck tires, glass etc. Two or more bikers stopped to help fix a flat tire was a common sight, as flats are a continual problem on the big highways. We counted 12 flat tires at route rap this evening.

The view all day was simply brown, parched rolling hills on both sides of the road. It was not farmland, not built-up, and not particularily pretty...just open sagebrush Idaho land.

The trucks rolled by at 80 mph--too close and too loud for comfort. Joyce (MA) called this a "destination day", that is a day memorable only for getting to the designated destination, not for the scenery or challenge. These are not among the "great miles" we have cycled in Oregon and appreciated so much. These are "destination miles" necessary to get to the finish line.

W e arrived at Mountain Home before noon, ate lunch near the motel, and w-a-i-t-e-d for our rooms to be ready. Many cooled off in thepool and enjoyed snacks provided by the Best Western.

Bill