Day 10: Boise to Mountain Home, ID

Today was incredible. It was a short day (51 miles), we had a strong
tailwind, and we were all feeling strong after a day off. Paul and I
averaged 20 miles an hour and got into our hotel a little after 11 am. For
once, we actually got started at the same time as everyone else (it helped
that we didn't have to load our luggage onto the truck until 8am) and we
road at the front for most of the ride.

For most of the ride, we were on a very flat plain lined on both sides by
mountain ranges. It was not drop-dead beautiful because the mountains are a
ways in the distance, but it was pleasant enough (especially for a short
ride). About 2/3 of the distance was on I-84, which was smoother here than
in the earlier stretch we road. Many people had flats from the debris on
the shoulder, but we did a pretty good job skirting the bad stuff (worst is
wires from steel belted truck tires). One of the new riders (going from
Boise to Casper) trashed her wheel when she road over a big piece of wood.
She is cycling with her dad, and an au pair is taking her young kids from
hotel to hotel where they meet up with mom and granddad.

Today was really like vacation. Since Paul and I got to the hotel before
the luggage, we headed over to Jack in the Box for cheap tacos and milk
shakes (our preferred recovery drink). We ate our tacos while watching the
Red Sox-Indians game on ESPN. When the luggage arrived, we put on our
bathing suits and headed over to the Best Western's very nice pool, which
was already overrun with cyclists. We tossed tennis balls around to each
other and were basically pretty lazy for the early afternoon.

About yesterday's fundraiser. Paul managed to get an article in the Boise
weekly newspaper and many of our fellow cyclists saw it. This has made us
something of celebrities in our group. We don't know if the newspaper
article inspired anyone to come to the Lucky 13--if it did, we didn't see
them. We had pizza and beer with 5 local members of meetin.org. They were
very nice and promised to talk up our ride among their friends. We left
them with brochures and ride4haiti wristbands.

Another high point: Paul lobbied heavily to be "guest of the day" at our
hotel in Boise. Eventually, the staff relented and awarded him guest of the
week. Picture will be posted when we get access to high-speed internet.

Tomorrow we load luggage at 5:45am for a 97-mile ride into Idaho Falls. No
interstate riding, and apparently good scenery to look forward to. Also
more climbing that today. We're all hoping for more tailwinds.

Cheers,

Len