Spills and thrills

I could begin by saying how hot it is but i think you have the idea by now. Today was an easy day, just 50 miles through gentle, rolling countryside with snow on the mountains to the east and west. The occasional huge willow provided a little relief from the sun as I pedalled as quickly as i could for 15 miles in a pace line with Dora and Alida, both from Ontario. On the first gentle rise, they left me in the dust. There were lots of gorgeous photo ops and lots of opportunity to stop for treats along the way, even a washroom or two.

For some great stories i would recommend Josh Krabbe's blog about his 280 km epic ride with 2 of the faster cyclists. Photos from digitally equipped cameras are on www.flicker.com see SeatoSea08. I haven't checked that myself, but they should be there. I have a fairly unique helmet, white with a flat back, and wear a black fanny pack. My handlebar bag is red and black and I wear either a pinki/orange/yellow flowered jersey or a turquoise one or the SeatoSea official one. On the steepest downhills I have managed to achieve my land speed record of 60+ kph. Really fun on a smooth empty highway which winds down for miles and miles to LaGrande.

All is well, (Mom, especially)! My only problems have been relatively minor - a fall in the shower of all things which left both wrists bruised but fine for riding - a bee sting on my leg - and a fall off my bike while stopped with 6 people to witness it. I had stopped, and just didn't swing my leg high enough to clear the bar. I'm not the only one to do that!!

The sights are magnificent and the park where we stayed last weekend in Kennewick was out of this world beautiful. Imagine Bowness 21 miles long beside the Columbia River which is about 1000 ft wide at that point and huge sycamores, willows and other shade trees. None of us wanted to leave.

I'm on duty now to help with supper and clear up after - part of the 24 hour sweep team's job.