Panhandler campground (20 miles south of Ione) to Sandpoint, IDAHO (71 miles)

 6-23-2010 Today our goal was to make it into Sanpoint by early afternoon, so that we would have plenty of time to get the tandem's wheel repaired. 

We left earlier than usual, one group of guys left by 6am so that they could stop for breakfast, the rest of us left by about 6:45.  The morning's ride was very pleasant, the temperature was cool, the sun's rays were blocked by a thin layer of cloud.  Just about perfect.  After less than 3 hours, we rolled into Newport, WA, to buy groceries and allow Don to pick up his new credit card.  (his wallet was stolen in Anacortes.)

Doug, Terese, Jeff, and I quickly got back on the road.  We were all anxious to get their bike repaired.  After a few quick pictures at the "Welcome to Idaho" sign, we started up the biggest hill of the day.  It was nothing compared to what we had been doing, but it was still a rude welcome to Idaho.  It's pretty cool to know that I've riden across my first state.

One state down, many more to go.

As the afternoon wore on, the ride became harder and harder.  The clouds burned off, raising the temperature considerably.  We also experienced more hills, many of which were quite steep.  However, we did get to see several Osprey nests, which was very cool and the overal scenery was very pretty.

Finally, we turned onto Route 95 into Sandpoint, which was extremely busy.  Probally the busiest road of the trip so far.  Luckily after about 3 miles, we were able to get onto a bike path which was much quieter.  Part of this path is a stretch of converted highway bridge.  They shrunk a 4 lane highway bridge to just two lanes and made the other two into a bike path.  That was a very neat ride.

Jeff riding with me across Lake Pend Orielle.

Once into Sandpoint we were able to get the tandem fixed up, and I was able to get and install new pedals.  After a quick ride around town, we setteled in at a campground right next to the beech in downtown.  The campground was a dump, but we had access to the Best Western's pool facilities.  The hot shower and hot tub more than made up for having a poorly maintained campground. 

I highly recommend to everyone, that they visit Sandpoint if they're in the area.  It's a very nice town, extremely bike friendly, with lots of neat shops and restaraunts.  I would have enjoyed having a couple more days to spend there.