June 26 Boise Rest day

Today was a wonderful day, slept really late- 7:15 am, had leisurely breakfast, leisurely trip to the bike shop, got a new pair of sunglasses to replace the ones I lost, new chain for the bike, electrolyte supplement for water and a leisurely trip to the laundromat.  Actually we went to two really good bike shops.  Yes, the key for today is leisurely.  I feel much better than 2 days ago.  rested and refreshed.  Various people had to replace wheel rims, freewheels, hubs, bike bags and assorted tubes.  I got the new chain as a preventative because we won't see a good bike shop for 500 miles or more.  Current chain has about 2,000 miles on it.  If you don't change the chain when needed, it wears the sprockets and you end up changing the chain, sprocket and freewheel.


Jeff cleaning his chain with qtips

Cleaning bikes is always a popular pastime as a clean bike is a happy bike and rider.  Jeff just takes it to the extreme, in a leisurely sort of way. 
Washing clothes was also very popular today.  The hotel machines ran all day.  I went with a few others to the laundromat about 12 blocks away.  No waiting.
Boise is a VERY clean city.  Major activities are government, Boise State University and recreation.  Beautiful bike path system called the greenbelt.  Julia Davis Park is right downtown on the Boise River.  The river is very clean and fast flowing.  Very clean as in you can see several feet down to the rocky river bed.  The zoo and duck ponds are also only blocks from the center of the city.  Boise is 64 square miles, 205,000 people and low humidity.  Seems to be a nice place to visit and live.  We are staying downtown and have walked past the capitol bldg., Boise state Univ.  and the tallest bldg in Idaho.  (maybe 15 stories). 
Tomorrow Wed. June 27, Boise to Mountain Home, ID  is an easy day.  One of the shorter days at 53 miles and only 1,400 ft of vertical, light tail winds, temp in the 50s to 70s.  We will start with arm and leg warmers on finish in jersey and shorts with LOTS of sunscreen.  I carry sunscreen all the time and SPF 50 is provided at all SAG stops.  There are plenty of unusual tanning patterns among the riders.  Tans start at lines on the upper arm and end in a sharp line wear gloves start.  That patterns on the back of hands.  White bands from wristwatches are everwhere.  Best suntan pattern is one guy with a Klingon pattern on the top of his head that matches the slots in his helmet.  Just like the ridges on the skull of a Klingon.
Enjoy the day
Sam