Day 10 Boise-Mountain Home

Miles:  54.14              Terrain:  Flat wide open spaces
Depart:   8:10AM      Arrive:  1:01 PM
Riding time: 4:04:12
Average Riding Speed: 14.0

           Today’s Garmin Download  and Map (for cycling data junkies!) 

Today's Ride

The fairly short 54-mile ride today was a good way to come back from a rest day.  We started a little bit later than usual, had a relatively flat ride with no large climbs, and were in Mountain Home by early afternoon.  Leaving Boise we rode for about six miles on the Greenbelt Path along the Boise River.  Like most multi-use paths around the country, ongoing maintenance seems to be an issue.  There were many shrinkage or root cracks making for some rhythmic thumping during the first several miles.  When we left the path we rode about six miles on a state highway before getting onto I-84 for the next 11 miles.  The shoulder of today's I-84 segment was in much better shape than a few days ago, with very little debris and a smooth shoulder.

Our only sag stop of the day was set up at the truck stop at the exit, and then once again we found ourselves on what was old U.S. 30 for the next 22 miles.  Between the chip seal surface and a slight headwind, despite almost no vehicle traffic it was something of a grueling stretch.  For me it ended up being the slowest average speed day of the trip so far.  The cold I came down with last night didn’t help.  (But average speed is not what’s important on this trip.  It’s getting from one coast to another.)  The scenery was pure American West.  Flat land, some mountains in the distance, and the road seemed to spread out forever in front of us. 

Arriving into Mountain Home we had to detour due to some road work.  With nearby Mountain Home Air Force Base the major economic engine for this city, we saw a replica of a jet fighter set up in a park as we  rode down the final stretch to the motel. 

At the hotel, there was a railing in front of the walkway on the ground floor and along the second floor balcony. With temperatures approaching 100, we all seemed to figure out that it was a good chance to wash out the days cycling clothing in the sink, drape them over the railing to dry, and it wouldn’t take long for them to dry.  It didn’t!

Tomorrow is a 97 mile day to Twin Falls.  The temperature is forecast to be just about that same number.