Day 10 - Wednesday, July 1, 2009 Boise to Mountain Home

Distance 51.52 miles, Average speed 13.5 mph, Time 3:58:28

It was back to work after our rest day, but today was a relatively easy one. We had smooth roads, with little climbing, and with a nice breeze at our backs. Leaving Boise we traveled some scenic bike trails in the greenbelts. We rode along the Boise River and various small canals. This shot shows a backward look at Boise with a some smog forming above. Boise left a very good impression: clean, orderly, with nice homes and buildings new and old, not too big and not too small. Most of our ride to Mountain Home was on Interstate 84, and we are getting quite comfortable on interstates. Our easy ride today will likely be a far cry from our 97 miler tomorrow.

I just wanted to add a comment on interstate riding. The greatest hazard is drifting into the rumble strip which divides the interstate and the shoulder where we ride. I have attache a photo with which I am attempting to show the severity of the rumble strips. If we were to drift into them the danger of falling is pretty great so you have to be very vigilant. Also the on and off ramps pose another problem, as riding on the shoulder involves crossing both at each exit. Tom included the over the shoulder shot as we left Boise, so I am adding the off ramp sign for Mountain Home. Good nite all we breakfast at 5:30 am tomorrow and load luggage at 5:50 am. It looks like a long day coming up.