Scott had to impune Doug's manhood to get him to come out on the wet pavement, but the Death Valley Team minus Steve made the Lapwai Loop Saturday morning despite wet pavement, east winds, and Scott's insistence that we ride it reversed.

Scott and Jen live in the Orchards near where Cliff used to lilve. They had already ridden down Tammany and didn't want to ride back. I was just glad anyone had shown up at all.

Doug and Scott have mapped out a four day self-supported tour in Death Valley and I have joined in. They report about 176 miles of cycling on mountain bikes with trailers, panniers, the whole disaster. Now they have begun to mention four mile high passes. Since I hadn't done anlything ride longer than 35 miles, I really wanted to push myself a bit. They must have felt the same for there was nothing inviting about the morning's dark aspect.

I'm riding with a gps these days and I like knowing the grade and seeing total elevation afterwards. The backside of Web Ridge turns out to be 9% at its worst. Too bad that comes after a couple of miles of 3, 4, and 5% riding.

Just to top off the day, Doug and I had a head wind down Tammany. Doug kept saying he didn't mind 'cause it was downhill. I hate having to pedal downhill. Didn't Sean tell me this Pilot would pedal itself?

For the ride of it. --Corrie