A fantastic night’s sleep. Everything charged. Repacked everything so back to a great pack. Bike Loaded and rolled out to the donut shop. It turns out that donuts on a stick or donut holes – on a stick. Nice! The women that owned the shop and was the baker was so kind. I asked her if she had custard filled long johns. She asked me if I wanted it with Maple or chocolate. She then pulled one out of the counter and went back to the kitchen. She came out with a long john that must have had a whole bag of custard emptied into it. I also got a apple fritter for later and a milk. This was the best long john ever.
Glad I stopped but a huge day of riding ahead of me. It would be almost 150 miles to Ashton but – yay – very little climbing. Today was focus, hammer down, hour after hour to reach Ashton and be back on track. It was already warm this morning and one of the hottest days so far as the day went on. Lots of highway miles, no shade, very few stops along the way. It was only 26 miles to Arco, my original target for Day 6. Arco is famous for being the first town in the World powered by Atomic Power. Everywhere was businesses with a play on Atomic in their name. It was cool. I can’t believe I don’t have any pictures from Arco. Too much of a hurry I guess.
From Arco, it was a long 85 miles to Rexburg. Rexburg would be one of the largest towns I would visit. Targeted a resupply at the Maverick or Albertson’s there before heading on to Ashton. After about 50 miles I was in Howe, Idaho. They had a park and a big banner that said Farmer’s market today. It was about 10:30 so I stopped to check it out. A couple of ladies were setting up and said it started at 11:00. I found some shade and ate my apple fritter. A concession stand was setting up and they would have water available at 11. It turns out in Howe starting at 11 means everyone starts showing up to setup at 11…..
I met a really nice couple from Rexburg that both worked for the “lab”. I found out this meant the Idaho National Laboratory. It is the government’s focus on energy but they explained to me it was pretty much all military technology development and research. They were selling their wares at this market then driving on to Mackay for their farmers market on Sunday. I was excited to share with them my experience at the BBQ place and how wonderful Mackay had been. This was their first time to Mackay so they were thankful for the info. We traded info and off I went.
The sixty plus miles from Howe to Rexburg was very hot, no shade, no landscape, highway miles. Many, many of these miles were through the thousand of acres set aside for the Idaho National Labs. wow. endless. boring. Just focus, work, rinse and repeat, look for shade. I saw a railroad crossing up ahead and hoped their would be a switch building. Thankfully there was and I walked my bike over to it and utilized the little shade it offered. Refuel, rest, out of the sun. Then off again.
At about 3:40 pm, I hit 100 miles, only 1065 feet of climbing. My five and dime focus was paying off as I was averaging over 15 mph for the entire ride so far. At 4:25 pm, 112 miles, I arrived in Rexburg. And after the first couple of roundabouts going into town, there was the huge Maverick gas station and convenience store I was looking for. The big Mavericks have everything. Hot food, huge grocery, every drink and snack imaginable. I knew Day 8 would be one of the hardest days of the ride and I wanted to get my feed bag full to cover a day or two while I had the chance.
I ended up with a fresh slice of pizza, some machine smoothie frostie. Honey Stinger Peanut Butter Waffles! Thanks Burt! Sandwiches, chips, more advil. Total homerun of a stop. It was worth the hour and I was fueled, happy and ready to tackle the final 30 miles to Ashton. Back on Schedule!!
Once I got out of Rexburg (home to a BYU campus where all the Lab folks come from) things got green again. Plenty of water meant irrigation and miles and miles of crops. I took the backroads from Rexburg to Ashton and once again the landscape was beautiful. And I could now start to see the Tetons in the way way distance. It was a beautiful evening to ride and as the clock ticked past 6:00 pm the temps started to drop. I was feeling strong, confident and happy that I was going to make Ashton as planned end of Day 7.
I had called Lori while in Rexburg and asked her to look for a little motel in Ashton. She found the Rankin Motel. The owner understood I would be late getting in and just gave her the cabin number and said the key would be in the room. Now I had even more positive motivation – a place to sleep! After such a boring, hot hard ride to Rexburg the ride to Ashton was so enjoyable. I was having a blast riding through the irrigation spillover on the roads and playing on empty roads winding around and up and down through the country side. This is what I love. Pedaling for fun and enjoying every mile.
I arrived in Ashton at 7:55 pm. There was the FrostTop drive In right at the main intersection and I popped in not knowing they closed at 8:00. But after turning 146 miles I was just happy to be in Ashton before dark. The sun was just starting to set. A waitress came over and took my order. A huckleberry shake and a bacon blu cheese burger. Then another manager type person came over and told me they were closed. I offered to go outside but my waitress said for me to stay. The other lady offered me to go to a picnic table outside. Which I was happy to.
The food was amazing. I felt amazing. I was so happy to be in Ashton. I took my time and watched them close as car after car rolled in to see they were closed. I then cleaned up and rode the entire one block to the Rankin. My cabin #6 was open. It was like the Tardis – bigger on the inside. I honestly can’t remember if I showered or not. Surely I did. I plugged a few things in, did some emails and went to bed with the windows open and the cool breeze putting me to sleep.
Back on track. Ready for Day 8
