Sometimes I say “I get endorphins and a view”. Sometimes I say “because it feels good when you stop”.
For Bob and I, it was the last tough ride of our tour. We got an early start at 6:50am to beat the heat. The 4000ft of climbing went well. You just have to be patient and go at your own pace. I drank 4 liters of water and ate 3 granola bars along the way.
We stopped at the top to eat our lunch. The main food we had left was a freeze dried meal in a bag. We don’t usually eat a hot meal but it’s all we had left (and some peanut butter and a few leftover chips and cookies. We rode down the 12 mile hill into Idaho City, population 458.
Idaho City was a gold mining town started in 1862 and peaked in the 1863 at 6275 when it was actually bigger than Portland – but it has been decreasing ever since.
We had a beer at the Goldmine saloon and checked into the Idaho City Hotel (built 1929).
Since their are no shoe stores or variety stores we tried to find Bob some shoes at the thrift store. Eureka! He found a pair of used Nikes for $10. Bob is much happier.
A half pound burger and slice of pie at Trudy’s replaced all the calories we burned up the hill.
Next, we ride into Boise (this time on pavement). Stay tuned.
