Day 10: Boise, Idaho to Mountain Home, ID - 51 miles, Climbing 1,400'

The strong scent of skunk was in the air as we started the ride around 8:30 (a late start but I am on vacation you know) on a bike path not too far from the hotel. After that we were back on the Interstate for 7 miles or so where I tried to shoot a video from the flightdeck of my bike at around 25 mph as 18 wheelers flew by. Most of the ride was through desert sagebrush with very few hills and a massive tailwind. We arrived in Mountain Home prior to 11:30 and had all the gear unloaded before noon. A nice easy day of riding so we should be fresh for tomorrow's 97 mile ride.

Roadkill tally: 74
Flats: 0
Hurts: Life is good

Day 9: A rest day in Boise, Idaho

After over 600 miles in 8 days with over 30,000' of climbing we are taking a day off in Boise. Started the day with a breakfast of oatmeal, scrambled eggs, sausage, fried potatoes, and a bagel with cream cheese. Got my laundry going prior to breakfast and finished it before walking into town with Tom to see the State Capital Building and take in a slice of Boise. The town is very bike friendly with trails and parks along the river near Boise State. Even the squirrels are friendly here. Needing one more white SPF 50 shirt for the ride I rode out to REI on the otherside of town. I made a leisurely ride back to the hotel and cleaned my bike and lubed the chain for tomorrows ride. Picked-up a spare chain so I have a replacement when my old one reaches about 2000 miles and also mailed a package back home to Belle. Dinner was at a nearby Perkins. A great relaxing day in Boise. (To see more pics please checkout my facebook page.)

Roadkill count stands at 71

Flats: 0

Hurts: Sore spots are gone as a good night's sleep and only minor biking seem to have taken care of em.

Day 8: Ontario, OR to Boise Idaho, 64 miles, Climbing 2,739'

Another day of sunshine. Most of today's riding was on country roads through irrigated farmlands with crops of corn, onions, wheat and potatoes. Saw many quail and hawks. After 62 miles in the saddle had a nice lunch in Hyde Park on the edge of Boise where I had a "Belle of Boise" sandwich with turkey and cranberry sauce. (Strange coincidence as my badly missed girlfriend's name is Belle.) Dinner was outside with barbequed chicken, baked beans, fruit and apple cobbler. Two of the riders, Carl and Gayle will be leaving tonight as they only signed up for the first week. One week down with the first 612 miles behind us. Looking forward to a day off tomorrow.

Roadkill: 71

Flats: 0

Hurts: Minor hammy, palm and butt soreness

Day 7: Baker City, OR to Ontario, OR - 83 miles, Climb 2,153'

We are back down into the desert. Today's ride had over 35 miles of downhill which made for a quick 83 miles. Rode through several small towns and entered the mountain time zone. Spent time talking to several fishermen on the Snake River. Had to ride on the interstate for a while due to no other options. Got in at around 2:15 and had to wait for the gear truck to get clean clothes. Dinner at Sizzler was great. One more 60 mile day tomorrow and we get a day off in Boise. WooHoo.

Roadkills: 66 including a hawk

Flats: 0

Hurts: Life is good

Day 6: John Day, OR to Baker City OR - 81 miles, Climb 3,446'

Today we had 3 summits above 5100' during the first 50 miles of the ride but had them all behind us by 11:00. Had a great lunch under the Ponderosa Pines. Saw many hawks, sandhill cranes, osprey, and vultures. The downhills were excellent! Tom and I were done riding by 1:45. Baker City is back down in the desert but has much more to than John Day. (Dog pictured was in the back of a pick-up at one of our rest stops.)

Roadkills: 59

Flats: 0 (Love those Specialized armadillos)

Hurts: Minor muscle soreness to be expected after over 450 miles and 25,000' of climbing

Day 5: Prineville, OR to John Day, OR - 116.5 miles, Climb-3,083'

A long day with several climbs above 4,300'. The landscapes shift from desert to grasslands with many big cattle ranches. Lots of great views and thrilling, winding downhills today. As long as we mentally break the day down into small sections it is very doable. There are many fossil hunters around John Day. Our dinners are usually good but the chicken tonight was very dry. The water pitcher should have been labeled "dipping sauce". On to the next town tomorrow.

Roadkills: 52

Flats: 0

Hurts: The training is paying off, all is well.

Day 4: Kah-Nee-Tah, OR to Prineville, OR 61 miles - Climb 3,300'

Another beautiful ride with no problems. Reaching the top of one of the climbs several of us got off to take photos and Howard (Our oldest rider at 79 years old) said it sure is great to be on this side of the road. Across the highway was a cemetary. Had a few sweet decents today. The area is mostly irrigated grasslands so the fields are green. The group is starting to get to know one another. We have several guys from Switzerland, one from G.B., a few from Canada, and one from Scotland. We also have riders from 23 different states. Tom and I are the only ones from Washington.

Roadkills: 27 (Several rattlesnakes, deer and UFOs (Unidentified Flattened Objects)
Flats: 0
Hurts: Nothing significant

Day 3: Welches, OR to Kah-Nee-Ta, OR - 64 miles - Climb 5,150

Started the day with a long climb that took us around Mt. Hood with temps in the low 50s. Coming down the mountain being buffeted by 18 wheelers was scary. The topograghy has changed drastically. We started the day in the alpine Pacific Northwest and are now in desert sagebrush with temps in the mid 80s. It looks like the old TV show Bonanza could have been filmed a few miles from here. Hard to believe we are only three days into this as a routine has already formed. Missing Belle dearly but we at least get to talk and text daily.

Roadkill count: 12
Flats: 0
Hurts: Sore hands from constant braking and roughchip/seal roads

Day 2: St.Helens to Welches, Oregon - 75 miles - Climb 3,150'

A beautiful ride today. I actually finally saw my shadow as the sun came out. We have started riding around Mt. Hood with spectacular views but it is still a ways off. Had lunch at an interesting place called Calamity Janes where they had us wheel our bikes through the restaurant to place them on a patio in back. Visited Wildwoods Recreation Site with great educational exibits along the Salmon River. The Resort we are staying at is beautiful. Will have to come back with Belle to snowboard on the glaciers of Mt. Hood. Dinner was a buffet at a Chinese restaurant down the street.

Road kill count: 11
Flats: 0
Hurts: none yet

Join Kim in raising $5000 for World Vision.

Day 1: Astoria to St. Helens, Oregon - 69 miles - Climb 3,250'

Good day to start the ride. The weather was mild, no rain, overcast skies with a high of about 60 degrees. Visited a hatchery. The many logging trucks going by where helpful in pulling me along. Everyone in the group seem to be up for the challenge.

Road kill count: 7

Flats: 0

Hurts: Nothing yet

Day 1: Astoria to ST. Helens Oregon 69 miles

Good day to start the ride. The weather was mild, no rain and overcast with a high of only 50 degrees. Took a few pictures and visited a hatchery. Got passed by many logging trucks which helped to pulled me along and was done riding by 1:00.

Orientation

Arrived in Astoria on Sunday and had our bikes checked, attended several hours of meetings about the trip's logistics and safe ridng practices followed by a short meet and greet and then dinner. The group has about 50 riders going coast to coast and maybe another dozen coming for a week here and there. The average age is probably over 50.

Triathlon and last minute details

Saturday morning we drove down to Auburn where Belle did the Five Mile Lake Triathlon in the pouring rain. She did awesome placing second in her division. When we got home we organized and packed for my 7 week trip.

Belle sews a cue sheet holder I will use on the ride to keep from getting lost

After years of planning and preparation, the start of the ride is only a few says away. Lord only knows what will unfold during the ride from Oregon to New Hampshire. Since January I have logged over 4300 miles on the bike and run over 300 miles in preparation for the ride. In trying to balance working, fundraising, keeping up the house chores and training please forgive me if I have been slow to respond to phone calls, emails and letters of encouragement. I know we all have busy lives. Your support is greatly appreciated! Regardless of what lies ahead in the next 7 weeks it is nice to know that so many people have taken time out of their busy lives to send kind words and even donate to World Vision. Through the last 6 months no one has been more supportive than my girlfriend Belle. Whether we're training together, fundraising, snowboarding with Outdoors for All, cooking, splitting firewood, working on the computer, walking her dogs, going to church or even sewing a map holder for my bike she has been off the charts supportive. Her support in helping me "keep the plates spinning" has been invaluable. Although during the ride we will still be able to talk on the phone each day I know I will miss her dearly in the weeks to come.

Done with the 250 miles/week training rides

Yesterday morning on Belle's birthday, Belle and I did the Issaquah Triathlon in 59 degree water and it wasn't too bad. After many days of rain the weather cleared for what turned out to be a perfect day. We both finished with no incidents. In the afternoon I rode for another 44 miles to finish the week with 250.4 miles. Only 2 weeks left before the ride and plan to taper my riding down to 150-200/week so as to feel fresh for the start of the ride. Today the rain is back again. Since January 1st I have ridden over 4060 miles. Doesn't seem like it has been that much but day after day it adds up. Fundraising is also going well having just passed the $2100.00 mark. Everyone has been generous and encouraging. Thanks to all who have helped me move closer to my goal.