At Dissmore's I began to think only the valley cylcists would show. Linda and I were a bit early, then Mike and Nicky and finally Cliff and Debbie. I expected Becky who lives just a little ways away to be there and that would have been 7. Instead our ranks swelled to 15 for a time even though we had to abduct Stephanie who just out for a ride on her own.

Elaine from Moscow had emailed me about the ride and I was lookig for a new face. She had warned me she was new to cycling and I had made it clear that route would include some hills but I promised that if she could do the distance, she'd be able to keep up.

Laureen was there too. She's become a regular as she prepares for a century this summer. She says she hasn't broken the 65 mile barrier yet. There's a great opportunity next Sunday for Deary to Deary--80 miles of mountains and prairies. This will prepare you for your century, Laureen.

At the last minute Jim Kenyon pulled up. Mike and I made fun of his chain looking dry and rusty. Jim claims he's got a thousand miles for the year. Time for a new chain Jim. And, what happened to you at Colfax? I thought you said you were coming with us and instead you must have gone on to Palouse.

While I was introducing Elaine around a young cycling couple in full kit who probably weigh less together than I do alone showed up. "They're going to be too fast for us today, I thought."

This couple had been on the Palouse only since Friday and left us early to get back to setting up their apartment.

But Ross and Ashley were out to make friends and learn the routes around the Palouse. Sean had pointed them to the website and here they were keeping pace with us and asking questions. They turned back at the church. Ashley would have gone on but said it was Ross's turn to be responsible and he said they should get back to setting up their apartment.

Wendy and Dave were supposed to ride out from Albion and meet us at the turn off to Klemgard Park. They weren't there. But while we were waiting to regroup we spotted cyclist flying toward us. The first two were Wendy and Dave. The third we didn't know. Wendy had sped on not explaining that the third cyclist wasn't with her. We expected this new cyclist to stop but we scarcely got a wave. Most of our group had already gone on. Ross and I rode by her deep in conversation. It was Mike who took the initiative and invited Stephanie to join us. She was riding out of Moscow and hadn't planned to go this far but it looked like Elaine was going to give her a ride back to Moscow.

So, sorry at the rough welcome, Stephanie. We did enjoy your company and look forward to seeing you again.

For some reason the board had scheduled this ride to start at 10. I refuse to take the blame for that. It wasn't my fault either that the weather decided to turn hot. So long as we kept moving the breeze was cooling, but if you stopped you suddenly felt an oppressive heat. I head several complaints about the heat but just from those late starters. I keep telling people some of my best long rides were in February and March.

We had lunch at Arby's in Colfax. Wendy lobbied around until she got a crew to go with her on to Palouse to complete the Tour de Lentil route. Laureen was one who wanted to push her limits. Jim told me he wasn't going to Palouse as I left Arby's but he never showed up. We figured he could have outpaced Elaine and gave up on him. She said he was still making up his mind when she had left. Tell you what, Jim. Just go home and oil that chain.

The rest of us headed back to Albion where we faced 5 miles of fresh seal-coat from Albion out to the Palouse Highway. This is a long, gentle slope and the heat of the day was on us. The seal coal had been nicely rolled. Vibration seemed muted and the surface had a shiny black sheen though it didn't leave tar on my tires. Debbie claimed she had tar on her legs though.

Elaine had run out of water by this climb. We had been taking turns checking on her to make sure she was okay. This was her longest ride and the first one on the road with real cars. Mike headed back this time and provided his patented push up the hill. Hint, Elaine. Next time you can leave the sandals and the two kryptonite locks at home. Your pack will be lighter.

So we abducted Stephanie, trained Elaine, and enjoyed the warmest weather of the season. Looks like we've got more of the same coming up. Remember to hydrate and replace those electrolytes.

And thanks again Mike and Nicky for the boat ride. I like my seat a bit more steady but not bad, not bad at all.