Pinehurst to Cambridge, ID

Brian’s Ride Miles Biked: 68.9 Average Speed: 13.7 mph Max Speed: 30.7 mph Time Pedaling: 5 hours Total Feet Climbed: 2940 Start/Stop Time: 7:30 am to 3:00 pm Wind: Beginning as calm changing to a head wind at Council Weather: 55 to 104oF

The day started with another climb from Pinehurst to Tamarack, 2800 to 4100 feet. Thankfully the roads were quieter than yesterday (Sunday) as most of the whitewater rafting traffic was gone. Without the traffic, the climb was easier. The high dry desert gave way to pine forest as I entered the Payette National Forest. Once I reached the plateau near New Meadows, the pine forest gave way to grazing lands. Leaving New Meadows, the grazing lands quickly returned to pine forest. I reached the peak of this area near Tamarack. As far as I can tell, Tamarack is nothing more than a wood mill turning trees into lumber.

Cycling down from Tamarack was a joy because of the heavy shade and pretty forest but there were a few too many logging trucks. Running parallel to the road was a long abandoned rail line. On the east coast, this line would have quickly been turned into a pedestrian/bicycle path. Out here in the west, people our quibbling over the property rights. One would think that since this route is part of Adventure Cycling’s TransAmerica Bicycle route that it would become a bicycle path. But I am only a foreigner in this part of the country.

Coming down from Tamarack, I entered a dry hot valley devoted to more hay.  I met Joan, brother-in-law Joel and nephew Evan in Council for lunch.   Leaving Council, a headwind developed and the temperature soared to 104oF in this high desert environment. Thankfully, it was mostly downhill to Cambridge and I was able to speed along at 16 to 20 mph for the 23 miles.  It was so hot and dry that if I didn’t drink frequently enough, my mouth would dry out and it would be difficult to swallow. By time I got to Cambridge, I finished my four water bottles.

In Cambridge, we found a nice RV park behind a motel and next to a private backyard that had a beautiful garden. To cool off, we followed the local advice and took a dip in the Weiser River entering from an overpass. As we relaxed in the water, three local children (10 to 11 year olds) joined in the water with their chocolate Labrador. We were impressed with their composure and conversation and their dog Coco. Coco swam from child to child and from Joan to me so he could be held for a moments rest.

After leaving the water and drying off, the heat again became stifling.  Only when the sun started to disappear did the temperatures drop. In the past week or to, the temperatures usually dropped to the 50s or so. On this night, it only dropped to the lower 70s and I wished for relief.

Joan’s Version

Brian’s spirits were much better when he awoke this morning. By the time Joel, Evan and I met up with him, he had ridden farther than I imagined and was much happier than during the previous several sag stops.

We met for lunch in the town of Council, where the local reporter interviewed us for the weekly newspaper. Later, exploring the antique shop, I couldn’t resist purchasing an old, rusted gold-miners pan. I wonder who’s hands and hopes touched it. The dream of discovering gold simply fuels my imagination and I listen attentively as the shop owner provides instructions for it’s use and directions to his "favorite" mining spot which happens to be on our route! Was it my enthusiasm or my gullibility that he marveled at as he told tales of recent gold findings?

Proceeding forward, we made it to Cambridge where we teetered between staying at the Bed & Breakfast or at the RV parking area behind the local motel. As I sit here in the RV writing this journal entry in the sweltering heat, I believe we made the wrong decision! Brian just put on the air conditioner and it hardly cools me.

I must confess that "real" life is creeping into my psyche, thereby ruining my mood. We just heard the air conditioning broke at our home in Atlanta, our cats had to be boarded, I must phone my previous boss about re-employment, and Brian is happily counting down the days until the trip ends.

The "upside" barely improves my mood even though it consists of a reporter from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution trying to schedule a full feature on the ride, an invitation from Whole Foods Grocery to sponsor our welcome home party and many e-mail from supporters. I feel like a pouting schoolgirl who doesn’t want summer to end.

Brian and I discuss some ideas to ease the transition back home in Atlanta and to further our efforts promoting NAMI. I perk up a little as we contemplate some sort of slide show or presentation about the ride and a possible publication of photos and journal entries.