Day 14, 65 miles to Idaho Falls, the weather was on our side again. Tailwinds are awesome but we are getting spoiled with this many days of amazing weather and the wind in our favor. The ride into Idaho Falls was several back roads with breathtaking views of open fields of amber waves... Wheat fields as far as the eye could see. The snake river you can never get tired of looking at either. Once in Idaho Falls we were treated to an outstanding dinner across from our hotel. Of course we had rap which reviewed the days ride, and alerted us to some of the safety concerns for the following day.

Day 15, 93 miles to Jackson, WYOMING. We said goodbye to Idaho and Hello to the Grand Tetons. The day started early with 5:25am load and on the road at six to start climbing from the start. At times the road looked flat but in actuality we were climbing. As always the support staff did an awesome job keeping us hydrated, fed and safe. Another day with views that are so beautiful that it is difficult to describe. As the sun got higher the climbs got steeper. One day one we were told that at times we would measure our success one mile at a time. Well, at times today during our climbs it was measured a tenth of a mile at a time. I can honestly report that I can go as slow as 3.1mph on an incline and NOT fall off my bike. During the second climb of 3 today I stopped to just take it all in and somewhere on that stretch of road I found an inner peace that I hadn't realized was missing till today. So, while my legs, lungs, butt and mind were pushed to a new limited, I am thankful for the experience.

Enjoy the pictures

Day 12 & 13.... Day 12 was a short 38 mile day with a side trip to the Falls and a team scavenger hunt. The riding weather couldn't have been better. The tailwind, HEAVENLY. The day started with the typical loading of luggage and receiving our list of "things" to find for the day. Our team name....The Freebasers, in honor of Karen, a member of the support crew we have getting us to the Atlantic. Our team left the hotel and planned our route to acquire the items on our list. We stopped at a yard sale to see if we could find an unusual item. We then continued on to the falls. Beautiful location, with a decline that cooled us down. After several pictures, laughs and attempts to spy on each other as to what on the list teams has acquired. We started our climb back up from the falls. Once back on route we enjoyed the heavenly tailwind into the town of Burley.

Day 13 started early with a luggage load at 5:25am because we had 86 miles to cover. Well, once the tailwind started at about 8:30 the miles ticked away really fast. Arriving in Pocatello, ID just shortly after 12 noon and that was with two SAG stops and two missed turns. While in route to Pocatello, we saw the sunrise, a crop duster at work, cows on the open range; which we had to stop on the road to allow them to pass. Once they crossed the street they stood on the side of the meadow and starred at us like we were crazy. Its very interesting traveling across this great nation of ours on a bicycle, the views are so different than in the car. By crossing with this mode of transportation you can get a feel for how vast a land we live in and what the early settlers must have imagined while traveling in wagons or on horseback. We stopped today at Registration Rock, earliest form of graffiti...The early settlers scratched their names and year they arrived in Idaho on this rock. 1802 was the oldest I saw. I can't even begin to imagine what they thought when they arrived. I can't seem to stop taking pictures of the openness, while riding you can see for miles.

Hoping all the pictures come out...

While it has been a few days since I have posted it isn't because I have nothing to tell you. It's just the we have been very busy.While 9 days ago this adventure started on a not so great note. I am trying to find the positive in everyday. This is an amazing group of people who have a passion for cycling. We are left Astoria, Oregon with mixed emotions as to what to expect. Our first day of riding brought cold, wet weather but ay 7am June 15th we started peddling. The weather wasn't what we would have liked but it is part of the adventure. The wet, cold, windy weather continued for the first few days. We traveled thru small towns and cities with excitement, fatigue and anticipation of the next day. We traveled through the mountains with snow cap peaks, winter road conditions to the valley of Kah-Nee-Tah. The temperature in the morning was 35 degrees and at the end of the day it was over 80 degrees. From there was traveled thru the valley pass of historical Oregon. We as riders have had opportunities to get to know each other more. Everyone helps one other over the course of each day, in many ways. Helping fix flats, bandaging road rash from falls, encouragement when you think you just can't peddle another mile and knowing when you just need time alone to find your inner strength. Here are some pictures of the first section of our adventure.

Day 4 of our 54 day journey. Sadly I did not ride today. There was some intense inclined and as we all know what goes up must come down. I tried to support all the amazing individuals on the road we smiles, positive attitude and when needed encouragement that the end of the day way near. The swelling in my hand I think is getting better and I started the antibiotics to stop the cellulitis so...god willing the plan is to try to ride the first 30 miles which is a gradual climb and the last 30+ which is fairly flat and to ice my hand in between. So, any of you who have an in with the man upstairs any and all prayers are welcome.....

a few pics of today

It's getting better

Tom and Alan with Mount Jefferson 

Surprise...it rained again today. Made the climb to over 3750 ft started as great roller but in the end the hills got intense. The people I have met are great!!!! Everyone helps everyone else. The views unfortunately covered by clouds..Still the joinery of a lifetime

Day 0 and Day 1....Astoria to the pacific ocean..... so the dat started out great. slightly overcast, temps in the mid 50's and an easy ride day, 30 miles to dip our tire into the pacific to start our journey. it was an emotional day. something I have dreamed of for years and worked toward for the last year. there are so many people supporting me on this ride and I want to make each and every one of them proud. I was averaging 17 mph into Fort Steven National park, 1 mile from the pacific when my day took a turn....on the bike path to the beach, the ground was wet and I was approaching a tunnel. I slowed down but not enough as 2 kids, jumped out from behind some trees and yelled boo. I was caught off guard, hit a bump in the pavement and in the biking world....I ATE IT.  I got up, kids had run off. Assessed myself, everything moved so....I continued to the beach, didn't walk all the way out to the ocean...SAND and bike cleats, not a good combo. I was sore and my left hand was bleeding but I road the 1.5 miles back to the ranger station to report the kids and use the facilities to wash my hand. Well, my day just got WORSE. My hand was a lot worse than I though plus my wedding band was cutting into my knuckle and my engagement ring was missing two diamonds. So....i road back to the tunnel to look for my diamonds. The ranger met me there, the ambulance was called and the fire department.  My rings had to be cut off, which wasn't easy with the amount of swelling.After 45 mins they got them off. One of the EMTs found one of my diamonds. I being stubborn, refused the ambulance ride and road back to the hotel where I than admitted, I needed stitches and X-rays. Yep, a trip to Columbia Memorial Hospital for stitches and a splint for my left hand. Fractures ring finger and knuckle. Road rash mild calf to the knee, hand, forearm, elbow, bicep and shoulder. And a very bruised ego. Ice, elevation, ibuprofen and a lot of crying because I was pissed. By 8pm the bleeding still hadn't stopped so we returned to the ER for 2 additional stitches. Got back to the hotel after midnight and needed to be up packed and on the road by 8.  All in all everyone on the ride is very sportive but it wasn't the start I had envisioned.

Day 1 Astoria to St Helen's 68.8 miles. Swelling had gone down enough that I could move index and middle finger so I thought I would ride. Shifting and breaking are a challenge but I wasn't really going that fast. Weather...its Oregon, RAIN, temps 38-43. My hands where cold as I can't wear gloves. First 35 miles was fairly flat. Very wet but that's part of what we signed on for. There was a 7% decline that had some uneven surface at mile 48. The lead rider was concerned because my left hand had swollen a great deal by than and vibrations of trying to hold the bike with my hand at speeds over 22 mph was VERY painful so, I took a ride in the sweep van and my ego took another hit. I have been riding for six years and have NEVER taken a ride but this is a long journey so I need to look to the next 50 days. After the hill I was back on the roads on the flats and peddled the last 20 miles. The hand is unbelievably sore,swollen and stiff. The road rash is starting to dry. And the sun came out and the rain stopped after the last rider, which was not me...arrived at the hotel.

Some pictures from yesterday and today

field of elk

the pacific 

my hand right after crash

ER after cleaned

The first splint that couldn't stop bleeding

Whats left of my wedding band and engagement ring

Offically registered, my bike PASSED safety inspection, after I completed putting it together. I was honored by the American Cancer Society for the money raised for this ride. Afterwards, several of the cyclists and I went to dinner. Tomorrow is just an easy 30 mile ride to the pacific to dip our back tire in the ocean. Several people have asked what this week looks like for our ride. The following is the milage for this week:
Monday;        Astoria to St Helens    69 miles
Tuesday;        St Helens to Welches   75 miles
Wednesday;   Kah-Nee-Te                 66 miles
Thursday;      Prineville                     60 miles
Friday;           John Day                     117 miles
Saturday;       Baker City                   81 miles
Sunday;         Ontario                        83 miles
Monday;        Boise, ID                    63  miles
Tuesday;        REST DAY

Elevation over the course of this week is 0 to 5,000   so not too bad. Some sites in Astoria

Bike is back together!!!