June 2, 2005

When it rains and you are cycle touring - - you get wet!

We started off the day with a climb to 2,785 ft from 1,213 ft. After that there was a six mile descent with a 6% grade where we reached the highest speed of the trip of 47.1 mph.

Highest Elevation to Date

Shortly after the descent it started to drizzle which turned in to a steady light rain for the rest of the day. When you are cycling and it rains you get wet. We put on our rain gear.

Nick Riding in the Rain

We lost our tail wind at the top of the climb and had a slight head to cross wind the rest of the day. The terrain changed a lot from high bluff farm and ranch land until we reached the Snake River and then it was partly forested with high hills on both sides of the road.

The roads were smooth and mostly clear of debris. They became narrow with narrow shoulders when we reached the Clearwater River. Most of the traffic gave us plenty of room with the exception of a few truckers who apparently got their jollies by passing close to us and enveloping us with the mist and spray from their tires. Little did they know that the artificial tail wind they created was welcomed.

The ride up the Clearwater River is not only the Lewis & Clark Trail but also the Nez Perce Trail. The road was close to the river and we could see it almost the whole way. One could imagine Native Americans using the river as part of their daily lives.

I finally came up with a “trail name” for Nick. I’m calling him “Tatoo”. He has this habit of leaning his leg in when he stretches on the bike and rubs it against the chain. Consequently he gets tattooed with chain lubricant. Cyclists usually razz another rider when the get chain marks on their legs, thus the name Tattoo. I have five and a half weeks to break him of the habit.

No flats today. Just rain to compensate.

Jim

© 2005 - JNS