On the road at 7 again. I love riding in the early morning. I’d like to say peaceful and quiet but not with all the commuter traffic. Had a bike path for a short distance and then it immediately went on the highway with a great shoulder except for the bridge in the first 100 feet. Forced right onto the highway. I wasn’t quite ready for that. But the shoulder was great except for 6.4 miles near the end of my day’s ride. It totally disappeared and the road became somewhat hilly and very narrow. Only 4-6 inches of gravel on the edge, and then it dropped off into oblivion. I knew this was coming but wasn’t prepared for the two tanker trucks with trailers and the dump truck with a trailer all within the first half mile. I tho’t I was doomed. Absolutely no way to get off the road. As soon as the shoulder disappeared, there was a sign showing bicycles on the road and SHARE THE ROAD. The traffic was basically good, but it was hairy. Hope that’s the worst I have to deal with. And because we were following the river, there were stretches of road with guard rails. I HATE GUARD RAILS. I always feel like I’m going to get sandwiched, and I think I’d rather be pushed off the road.

No noxious weeds today but I did see a pretty patch of purple lupine. And another purple flower whose common name has eluded me. I know the Latin name and will have to look it up. How weird is that! However, I saw nothing but the road those 6 miles and looked in my rear view mirror constantly. There could have been bears or whatever and i’m sure I wouldn’t have noticed. I just put it high gear and pedaled like a maniac to get done with that stretch as soon as possible. My legs were complaining and I hope I won’t feel worse for wear tomorrow. I don’t ride like that unless I have to. Not my style, but I felt like that was survival.

Camping tonite at the base of Lost Trail Pass. I need to rest for the 12 mile up first thing in the morning.