No, I don't mean the army corps of engineers flattened the old WhiteBird grade just for the ride. Craig, the Mountain (I'm not that tall), dropped me on Wawawaii Canyon a few weeks ago. I held him off on the Lewiston Grade last Saturday. But today was Craig's chance for revenge on his home ground. Sure enough when the ride leader said ride neutral to the bridge, the lead pack went out too fast for me and Craig went with them. I spent the first half of the ride trying to catch the pack and be with them when Craig backed off. I didn't make it of course. But I could see Craig riding just ahead of me with someone else. Every corner, I'd see them turning the next. I couldn't seem to make ground on the Mountain until one corner a couple of miles from the top revealed the Mountain ripping tube from tire. "That's Cruel's job," was the essence of my comment. I didn't let a fellow rider's bad luck stop me though. So, with the help of a flatted Mountain, I once more beat Craig to the top. Now I'm afraid to ride the next century with him. Ah, he's a sweet guy--he won't make me pay, much.

Cyclists Everywhere Linda, Corrie, Debbie, and Nikki drove to Grangeville Friday evening to stay at the Super 8. Nice motel, reasonable rates and a continental breakfast. We had a wonderful Mexican dinner at Palenque's though we couldn't find the room for the delectable Fried Ice Cream deserts we saw coming out of the kitchen. Sad.

At breakfast, a gentleman asked if we were touring. We were in our club jerseys, a dead giveaway that cyclists were about. Turns out he was taking a leisurely 90 days to ride from San Diego, through Utah, Idaho to British Columbia, then back to ride the Columbia River Gorge and the back along the cost to San Diego. He's takin it slow and looked at the dark clougds once before signing up for another night at the Super 8. Now that's a Largent pace.

More riders The four of us fought a head wind up the road from Grangeville and down the old WhiteBird grade to Hammer Creek. We struggled with the appropriate garb but settled for jackets and leggings, if we had them. Debbie, of course, had 'em and more. Dave D. passed us right at the summit. Debbie hailed him down and got a ride to Hammer Creek. She was cold despite the climb. She was also right. I was miserable all the way down the grade. Gold, stressed from watching the pavement for gravel, and generally stressed because I didn't want to be late for the start.

On the way down, we passed probably a dozen touring cyclists well-laden and spinning for all they were worth. I envied them their warmth. Linda reports that they were headed for Boston.

It is great to see so many cyclists on the road. It is good for our sport and for the health of the nation.

Speaking of Health I have to salute Nikki and Maureen for refusing to allow diabetes to keep them off their bikes. The daily hastle of managing that disease seems discouraging to me. Nikki found her calculations to off a bit with the extra mileage and the extra effort she was putting into the climb. She found herself with a hard bonk near the top of the grade. Pop and sucrose wafers got her to the finish line. High tech equipment reported that the blood sugar level was only coming up slowly. So, she opted to ride back to Hammer Creek with Dave D who brought her back Grangeville. She's fine and looking to ride the Lapwai loop with us tomorrow. Any other takers? 9:30 start at Southway.

I won't begin to be able to site all the riders we knew today. But I'll try.

Significantly, Chris did the hill in about 53 minutes. He had no flats but look at this pic of Chris and the newest tech to fight flats: The Green Tyre. Hey, he placed 5th!

Dave D, of course, rode the hill as well as did double duty as a sag wagon. Thanks Dave.

Lance hammered to a 10th place finish in 56 minutes.

Matt W. neglected to break a chain this week and so finished in just over 44 minutes. Took First place.

Wendy, Dave S. and Dave T rode the grade. Wendy is getting strong really quickly. Back must not have bothered you today.

Cliff continues to grow comfortable with his recumbent. Zipped right up that hill feet first. Very strange!

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