Day 6
49 Degree North Ski Area WA to Sandpoint ID
67 miles
7 hours travel time
5 hours saddle time
I woke up this morning outside the closed up ski school. I made myself a Nutella sandwich for breakfast, bundled up in many layers, and biked the 15 cold miles down the mountain. Cycled another 15 miles to Newport for a heartier breakfast
As much as I knew I was cycling to Newport WA, I still kept visualizing the nautical New England Newport. So I kept telling myself to expect another typical town, but my brain still kept picturing tourists and boats. Well, part of my brain was correct, I’ll let you guess which one.
I then headed the final 30 miles to meet up in Sandpoint with Roger Alexander from my high school. I decided to take the scenic AC route which turned out to be beautiful, with wind at my back. Plus I completed my first state crossing and moved into Idaho. (Special picture for Abby).
There was a big bike ride that day in town and I was meeting Roger at the finish line. Roger works with juvenile delinquent kids and since today’s race was a fundraiser for the school systems, he was volunteering.
I pulled into town and went straight towards the bike shop, Greasy Fingers, that had my tire waiting. However, the tire they had waiting wasn’t foldable, so I couldn’t pack it away as my back up tire. And the fix from yesterday’s tune up (pic of Ben posted today) seemed to solve my tire problem so I didn’t want to mess with what is working. They did have a foldable tire in a slightly smaller width, that I purchased for now. I’m going to try to contact a bike store a few stops up on my journey to see if they can order the right one
Then I met Roger and his delightful 5th grade son Conner at the finish line (which I got to cross). I ate three pulled pork and brisket sandwiches at the post race party and then we went to visit the Statue of Liberty.
Roger has 6 children, so staying with him wasn’t a possibility. He hooked me up with his close friend Jim, who is a big cyclist. Jim is about to go on a few hundred mile mtn bike ride down the state of Idaho. I had dinner with Jim, his wife Lisa, and their adorable 4th grade daughter Margo. Lisa showed me how to hypnotize chickens ( they have a bunch running around). Margo and Conner shot bbs and sling shots at different targets as us parents sat around discussing life in Idaho vs NY. I told them about living around the corner from the Clintons and they told me about the double murderer next door. We really had some fascinating discussions about values and priorities. Jim teaches science and Lisa teaches public speaking, both at the local HS. After a great chicken dinner, Margo performed her cups song and I went to the trailer to go to bed!
What to do tomorrow? I had planned to take the 7th day off each week to rest. This would be a great town to do it in, with some interesting people. However, my thighs are the only sore part of my body. I feel like I should press on. I think I will decide tomorrow. Maybe I’ll do an afternoon ride to move ahead 30 miles. Or maybe not!
Matt, btw, you can stop studying Darwin and the evolution of birds. Today I discovered where birds were invented!
Some of these pics are from yesterday
Congrats on completing your first state! How many will you be going through on the whole route?
If you were smart, you’d have dipped your tire in front of the mini Statue of Liberty, had someone take a picture, and kicked-back for the next 8 weeks.
Congrats on taking down your first state.
Ken love reading your blog! Pictures are great!!
Ken
Don’t forget that rest is critical! Make sure to give your body a break
Joe
You must be having a blast meeting all these new people and learning all these new things!
I been following you and all I can say is you are one crazy son of bitch . Keep on riding ..
Very proud to call you my friend!!!
Hi Ken. Love reading about and watching your progress so far. I heard Idaho potatoes are really good. Bring me home a big sack. Haha.
Stay safe and thanks for reminding me how beautiful our country really is.
I can’t tell you what you’re doing is super cool cause as my boss that would just be weird but as a not-boss, almost, sorta friend type person I would say you rock!!! Look forward to the posts everyday. Kick butt and stay safe. Make sure you have that latex glove handy, just in case!!
Great job Ken! Keep it up! I love reading your daily posts. Enjoy the ride.
Steve Coyle
Great start, Ken, and the daily posts give all of us a better sense of your trip. I have never once wanted to ride across the US, but these dailies give me an idea of how great it could be. I will probably pass, but appreciate that you are giving us the insight without the exhaustion.
Although you said “some of these pics are from yesterday” you duplicated the Church one, that was from Day 5 “Ski School was Never this much fun” YES, I AM FOLLOWING YOU CAREFULLY and paying attention to detail. SHOCKING I KNOW, No comments LFA!
No Duplicate pix please, I look forward to your blog and pics everyday(was a little concerned when I did not get a “New Post” Email on Friday 6-20, although it came in at 12:33am- DETAILS), and I don’t want to think that maybe this is all part of a NEW Internet Reality show. Ya know, since there is a mystery photographer, still not John Saldi; the shadow pics are cool.
Oh and by the way, I signed you up for “Survivor” ya know the Reality Show; that should be a piece of cake(chocolate). Enjoy, stay safe, remember we did not put a chip in you and we did not buy K&R Insurance…… haha. Don’t forget to stretch(hopefully you remembered the stretch strap… since you only remembered {or planned} one pair of long pants, really?????)
Thanks for the Adventure, Lydia …Assuming there is only one Lydia you know, if not the “No comments LFA!” is your clue!
Ken, Ken, Ken, I always knew you were nuts in a great hysterical way, you always think they yr cracks before you smart them out. Your blog is just like you but in some twilight zone way, where your standing next to the statue of Lib in an Idaho lake! A very Serious Congrats to you pal to keep going and going.
Everything is super and were all very happy for the trek of life you’re pulling. Hope you read this with yr legs up an a glass of Merlot.
Enjoy the ride, my friend. Louie
Hi Ken,
Much congratulations on completing your first state from Washington to Idaho (I lost 3 pounds this week just following your blog every day). Loved the ‘Statue of Liberty’! The blog updates are the best – both the writing and the photography are outstanding. What you’re doing is amazing. Keep up the great work. We’re all proud of you! Most importantly Ken, stay safe –
Best regards,
Jerry