Day 10 - July 2nd - Missoula to Avon

Stumbled over to the U of M Student Center at 6:30 for breakfast. What a wonderful spread of choices! I kept discovering new nooks: look, here's all kinds of toast! look over here, there's cereal! and would you look at that, a machine that dispenses Folger's coffee! It was helpful to have an ice dispenser and water tap to fill up my Camebak. Our route today will be just a hair short of a century. Though it is not supposed to be hot, it will be important to have cold drinking water on hand (or back, as the case may be).

The route led us out of town in short order. The sky was cloudy and air was very cool. What a nice change from hot-feet days. The landscape was lush and somewhat forested. The hills adjacent to State Route 200 were a soft green, with gentle contours. Almost looked like a painting. I soon met up with Douglas and Tony. Douglas dropped back at some point and we continued on. At around the 23 mile mark I noticed a large carved upright bear holding a street sign. I moved in closer to get a photo. The light wasn't very good but I wanted to take the shot anyway. When I returned to the highway, Tony alerted me that my rear tire looked soft. Indeed. First Flat (but no fall). By the time we had the tube changed, Mark had driven up in a support vehicle and decided that our corner was just the spot for the PB&J table/check point. Soon numerous other Riders joined us there, ambled up to the table to make a sandwich (to carry for later in the day), eat some snacks, and talk about how the day was unfolding. After cleaning our hands and making our sandwiches, Tony and I got back on our steads and headed out.

At mile 38, we stopped at Stoney's Kwik Stop where Riders had pulled over to buy non PB&J sandwiches, enjoy a hot beverage and troll the snack aisles. I ate a chicken salad sandwich ("I made that just today" said the stern (or stoney?)-faced cashier) and drank down a cold Snapple lemonade. Time to go. Miles ahead. Eventually reached Avon (mile 95) around 2:30. It was imperative to stop at the Avon Cafe (about the only establishment in town) to sample their renown pie. I scanned the list of options and decided to start the experience with a hamburger. THEN pie. Peach. The waitress was enjoying the steady stream of Riders who came in - especially the younger guys. It's not everyday that you have a herd of strapping young men in spandex stumbled in the door. After lunch (or was this 2nd lunch, or 1st dinner? I've lost track), we continued the remaining 3 miles to the Echo Valley Church Camp. Set up tents (or had the option to sleep in camper-warn A-frames). The Avon Cafe staff drove over and cooked us dinner, and of course brought pie for dessert. Apple, blueberry, peach, cherry, Boston Creme, Coconut Cream, and Chocolate Cream. What a great meal! Riders could hardy get up and make it back to their tents. It was cool by dusk, setting the tone for a good night's sleep. Only a coyote concert (they were making an attempt at singing a round) at 2am interrupted my rest.

And now a word about bugs.
When you are working your way up a hill, you can sometimes be gasping for air. Seems to be an invitation for a bug to fly right into your mouth. Your initial reaction might be a half-gasp of surprise, but this only invites the guest in further. Should you take on water, rinse and spit? Cough and blow? Be brave and swallow? And all the while you are trying to make it up the hill, not run over glass, and god forbid, stay away from the rumble strip. This biking stuff is hard!