June 26, 2008

June 26, 2008 Odessa to Spokane, WA 75 miles (78)

Riders are already looking forward to a rest day but before that we have 77 miles to go.

Breakfast at the Odessa community school was the start of what was to prove to be the best day yet.

Rolling out of town we were met with rolling hills and dry scrubland. For the next 25 miles SR-28 was our direct line east. Our ride on SR-28 was 104 miles ending in Davenport. SR-28 treated us very well.

Entering Davenport, our group of eight, including Austin, Ed, Steven, Greg, and Noah, stopped at a B & B for a second breakfast. Several other riders were already enjoying a fine meal, sitting on the front porch, watching the world go by. While we were there more Big Riders joined us until more than half of our group mobbed the place! I overheard one of the owners say that they should put out a sign saying “bicyclists welcome”. They were obviously quite pleased with our business.

Out of Davenport the cue sheet stated, “Begin gradual nine mile climb out of town”. None of us were looking forward to that especially on a full stomach! Our fears were groundless; a twenty-mile per hour tailwind pushed us up the hill making those nine miles some of the fastest of the trip! Our group cruised along at better than 22 mph.

All the riders agreed that 77 miles, with sunny skies, comfortable temperatures, and a SCREAMING tailwind is about as good as it gets! Will this luck last? Some of our group suspects the good fortune we are experiencing is related to the signed sumo on my handlebar. I guess I can’t take it off for fear of jinxing the trip!