Day 11, June 25, 2015, Mountain Home, ID to Twin Falls, ID, 100 miles and 2350 feet of climbing.  Wow, another great day of pedaling!   I left the motel at 6:00 a.m.  The ride leader wanted to get us on the road early in an attempt to beat the heat.  I had to set my alarm for 5:00 a.m. and today was the first day it woke me up.  Every other day I have been up before it goes off.  When I began the day it was a refreshing 62 degrees.  It was nice to be on the road as the sun was peaking up over the distant mountains.  As the day wore on the temperature steadily increased and reached 88 degrees when I arrived in Twin Falls around 2:00 p.m.  The first part of the ride was through dry, barren scrub land.  It slowly transitioned into heavy agricultural terrain as we began to follow the Snake River.  Again, irrigation is the only thing that allows this land to produce anything.  Towards the end of the day we traveled through cattle country and far too many feed lots where they are brought to fatten up prior to being turned into our dinners.  The feed lots are not visually or aromatically pleasant.  I’d prefer to not see how our food is produced.  Throughout the latter part of the ride we were treated to awe inspiring vistas of the Snake River.  As we entered into Twin Fall we crossed over the Snake River Gorge.  What a way to end the day!  I had another great day on the bike.  Felt strong and comfortable.  Ended the ride with a 15.2 mph average, which is good for me! It really did not feel like a hundred miles.  On rides like these I usually get stronger everyday and so far it seems to be the case on this one.

P.S.  Early in the ride I heard a loud sigh of relief from the right side of “the road”.  When I was able to check the news I learned that the Supreme Court had ruled affirmatively on a key provision of the Affordable Care Act.  That sigh I heard must have been from all of those Republican legislators who were fearful their lawsuit would be upheld and they would have to come up with an alternative to what is proving to be a successful first step in insuring all Americans.  The things I hear out on the road!!

 

Early morning sunrise over the mountains.

 

This bicyclist rode along side me for several mile in the morning and I just could not shake him!

 

I had to ride 28 miles to find Espresso.  The coffee was sub par but this lady was a delight.

 

How'd you like to live in this town?

 

Bridge over the Snake River Gorge.  I have never been on a bridge that shook so much.  Everytime a car passed it rattled!!

 

Snake River Gorge in background.

 

Pic of Snake River going through a valley.

 

Snake River Gorge.

 

Elevation profile of today's ride.  Nothing but a step for a stepper!