Crusty Cassette

Steve threatened to join us this weekend but either we didn't provide the best ride options or he really was busy. In any case, he provides this account of his 4th. --Corrie

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SHADE

Spalding Park provides much needed shade and water.

“And now it begins,” Cliff said apocalyptically. “The descent into the bowels of hell.”

It is 12:30 in the afternoon on the 4th of July when Lewiston temps will reach triple digits. We are on Reuben/Gifford Road about to descend Magpie Grade to the Clearwater River. Somewhere out ahead of us are Mike and Bruce enjoying speeds above 45mph. Behind is Debbie, on her first century of the season.

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Would you trust a man like this?

“I’ve got lots of surprises for everybody. For you too,” Cliff said. His right eye twinkled.

It had to be nearly 100 degrees in Harvard at 3 where we gathered strength to make that last 12 miles back to Deary. I was beat. The heat was bad. I had climbed the backside of the White Pine Drive faster than I should have and now I was feeling it. “Ah, Cliff’s got a cooler of beer,” I thought.

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Hi Everyone,

We continue to have great weather although it is somewhat humid. I'm getting tan right through my clothes!

We see storks and stork nests all the time now - they are the country's 'state' bird. Beautiful.

Also many farmers still use horses to work in the fields. They have a horse that is bigger then a riding horse but not as big as a Draft horse. Their wagons have rubber tires. One shot I got is of a girl in a bikini using a pitch fork to toss hay in a horse drawn wagon. There was also a guy in a bathing suit helping her. They love the sun! Lots of older women out working in their gardens in dresses. Since they don't have fences they tie the cows out in the pasture. Some had halters but most had a small chain around their neck.

We have seen quite a few long low cement buildings that have obviously been abandoned for a long time. We asked our Estonian guide about it and he said they were used to raise mink and fox.

My last email was sent after 9:00 p.m. so I think I forgot to tell you that the holiday they were celebrating was victory over the Germans--- in 1243!! Seems a bit ironic but I'm sure they felt if we did it once we can do it again.

It's hard to imagine what these countries have endured being caught in the middle of Russia and Germany. Our guide is 31 and he remembers the only way they could celebrate Christmas was to pull the curtains and not let anyone know. When the Russians finally left in 1991 the school kids burned the red scarves they had to wear to school ((the scarf was like a 'rank' in the boy scouts) but then they were terrified because they thought the Russians might come back and find out what they had done.

The biking is going very well and now the playing field is leveling out. :-) Yesterday -20k from the end- I was still in the middle of the pack! Actually I think some of them are just finally saying what's the hurry. We finally got into some 'rollers' which was nice for a change. One day the distance was 175k. I did 128. For 5 people in our group it was their first century.

I think we have 4 guys in their 70's. One is 75. and 2 are 69! I'm not sure if I am the oldest woman but I think so. Most of the time we stay in a hotel on the outskirts of town because it is easier to get to on our bikes. Coming into Vilnius was unbeliveable - I was longing for the sand and potholes of good old EURO VELO #1!!! Narrow roads, lots of trafic and construction, a few cobblestones. We all made it and except for the last 30 min. in town it was one of the favorite rides.

Last night our Van got broken into. It was parked right in front of the hotel. Actually they CUT the window out. All that was inside was a breifcase full of our Poland maps and they took that. Rick spent most of his day trying to get us new ones. The next stretch has us going for 7 straight days (I think). I'll pick a 'rest' day and ride in the van.

Oh yes, my Twin Rivers jersey is a big hit!

Bye for now.

Love Helen/ Mom