Last SAG Day

We're closing in on our destination.  Today's 65 mile route ended in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho.  The route included bike path, bike lanes, quiet country roads and a few busy state roads.  All in all, riders were happier than yesterday's route.  Everyone was focused for the last long mileage day.  There was lots to see on the route today.  We're back in agricultural area and there were many osprey sightings today.

There were two scheduled SAG stops, important as there was only one town on route today with any services, Spirit Lake.

Riders left Sandpoint around 7:30 this morning after a very enjoyable time there.   Some were apprehensive about the longer mileage day again.  Everyone is tired at the end of two weeks of biking.

Sandpoint was pretty quiet when we left.  Folks were setting up for the farmers market in the park behind the hotel, but other than that there wasn't much activity.




Riders were on the road quickly to get the work done.  They exited Sandpoint via city street onto a bike path that paralleled US 95, but within 10 miles were able to get onto a quiet country road that would take them all the way to the first stop of the day around mile 24.  For some reason today, I was almost 45 minutes ahead of the riders.  It doesn't normally work out that way.  So, I had plenty time to make sure I had a safe spot away from weed control, did a little artwork for the riders on the road, talked to the locals that came by, all kinds of things.

NOT a good SAG location

SAG stops allow riders to fuel up and for the drivers make sure everyone is accounted for.

Spirit Lake seemed to be a thriving community.  Many of the riders stopped to enjoy the bakery and a coffee.

The second SAG was shortly after Spirit Lake, around mile 44.  It was about that time one of the riders missed a turn, and followed the other riders in by about two hours.







Coeur d' Alene appears to also be a thriving community.  Riders had to navigate the downtown business area to get to tonight's hotel.  There are stores, shops, restaurants and resorts.  It was pretty hectic for the riders, and all were successful in arriving at the hotel without incident.

Tomorrow we return to Spokane on a 37 mile bike path route.  No one is saying it'll be easy after what happened yesterday.