Thursday, June 29, 2006
Day 11 - Twin Falls - June 29th 2006
Weather: Early on, slight drizzle and overcast turning sunny. High of 95.Location: Twin Falls, Idaho (from Mountain Home, Idaho)
Miles per day: 99.56
Average miles per hour: 13.33 (one of my best days, possibly due to a generous tailwind!).
Blizzards/Ice Cream consumed to date: 8
Flat tires to date: 1
Elevation climbed today: 2450 feet
With a big ride ahead (97 plus miles), it was an early start at 6:00 am, just after dawn. We left Mountain Home heading down through farming communities (most of it growing potatoes) and passing along rail road tracks. I just love seeing the trains move by us along the landscape! Later in the day, we saw large dairy operations (very impressive) and lots of cows, horses, goats and sheep. As promised, the scenery did improve, switching from lovely green farms (lots of irrigation here) to barren desert buttes.
We headed into Twin Falls City along the Snake River - quite impressive. The canyon views are amazing and I was stunned to see them able to squeeze a golf course within the gorge. In 1974, Evil Knevil (remember him?) attempted but failed to jump the Snake River with his rocket-powered cycle. We crossed the Perrine Bridge, so named for I.B. Perrine, who is known for irrigation and electric power development in Idaho. The bridge (built 1927 and rebuilt in 1973) structure spans 1400 feet, 476 feet above the Snake River (when constructed, it was the 'tallest bridge in world' ). The bridge is one of the few places in the world used for B.A.S.E parachute and bungee jumping: Building, Antennas, Span, Earth. A few of the group saw the jumpers today. Four miles away (up the Snake River) is Shoshone Falls; At 210 feet they are higher than Niagara Falls. Tomorrow we are going to swim in the river.
The road conditions improved from yesterday with far fewer flat tires (just 6 today compared to yesterday's 20). The cause - see the photo - the nasty truck tires! Being on back roads today helped immensely. That said, Twin Falls is an immensely busy city with evidence of being a Truckers Paradise for stop overs (lots of hotels and fast food) and a population of about 30,000.Today was one of my best days of riding yet. I was averaging 15.38 MPH for the first 40 miles. Whilst my endurance is improving, its still not quite there for the 97 mile days. I am gaining quiet confidence that 'I WILL FINISH' each day and hence am enjoying the scenery and the stops quite a bit more. Today, I managed an ice cream at 9:30 at a place called STINKERS in the city of Bliss - and who says Americans don't understand irony? I then spent a leisurely break at a real western country bar and cafe which was filled with a group of Latter Day Saints and a few Potato farmers - made for an interesting conversation. I topped off the riding bit of my day with what has become a 'must have' Subway sandwich. Later it was on to an 'all you can eat' buffet restaurant - Americans seem to love these. I myself am not so keen.
After completing a near Century today, I am physically exhausted and need some rest.
Another great ride and another great day!
