June 29, 2008 Sandpoint, ID to Thompson Falls, MT 88 miles (94)
Another wonderful breakfast at a high school was somewhat offset by the fact that all of the riders were anxious to get an early start due to the anticipated high temperatures predicted for the day. Today’s ride was fairly flat due to the fact that we followed the Clark Fork River most of the way. Sure there were some attention getting “rollers” but they helped keep things interesting.

At mile 36 we made our second state line crossing; Idaho to Montana. We are making progress. Montana, Big Sky Country, lives up to its name and I look forward to out next eight days in the state. At about this time though, the heat became oppressive and there were still 58 more miles to be pedaled. Just before entering Thompson Falls, our destination for the day, I spied another rider ahead. Since old habits die hard (those who know me can attest to this) I chased him down and was truly humbled….the rider I caught turned out to be on his own epic journey.

John was from Fairbanks, Alaska and was cycling solo from Fairbanks to Fort Collins, Colorado – a total distance of approximately 4,200 miles. Kind of makes the Big Ride seem easy! Did I say solo? Well, not quite, for he had his three year-old sled dog, Squirrel, with him. He was riding a Navara mountain bike, loaded with 80 pounds of equipment (not including the 42 pound dog) and pulling a trailer and still managed to average between 60 and 100 miles each day! John and Squirrel were invited to join us at the high school for the night (road courtesy). His stories of 300 miles of gravel on the Al-Can Trail and grizzly encounters kept many of us entertained.

The only wildlife encounters we had to endure (other than the mother bear and her cub sighted near the high school) were the horrendous hordes of mosquitoes. Grizzly bears or mosquitoes….? Does a dead fish placed in a rider’s bag count as an “encounter”?

By the way, the temperature in Thompson Falls, depending on which bank thermometer you chose to believe, was either 105 or 111 degrees. I have pictures to prove it!

Once again we will be up and out early. Temperatures are going to be hot again tomorrow.