Mario is STILL Riding: INTERNET!!!!

OK! so I Promise I am still riding.... and still meaning to keep this updated as often as possible. Thing is internet has been ridiculous to find and the house we are staying tonight has WIRELESS!!!! I didnt think itd be near this difficulty to find. Oh well ill try to catch everyone up as fast as I can....

We are on day 7 of our ride and it has been 1/8th of an adventure to say the least. We have hit everything from rain forest to high sierra desert.... all just in Oregon/Washington. I keep saying that about every 20 miles or so the whole picture changes. Though we had about 80 miles or so in some absolutely beautiful, wide, rolling wheat/barely fields. On a particularly tough stretch of road, I remember thinking I was sitting in a Brewery smelling some intense malted barely, got me through the tough stuff... Oh, and Full Sail was in fact sweet times

Just watched the LVs Ride Salute to Father's Day... AWESOME!!

Anyways... back to the ride

Along the way we have been fortunate enough to stay with hosts who have been way off the map hospitable, and we have been so incredibly grateful for it. Seriously, if you have been one of our gracious hosts, you have changed me life with your kindness. From the pot luck in Dayton, WA last night (amazing!) to the enchiladas with Veronica's salsa to the scrambled eggs (that mysteriously tasted like bacon!!) you have fed us well! And having a bed, floor, carpet to sleep on has been a blessing (hey you count the little things!) And, surely not to forget the singing and hot tubs! haha You have been wonderful and have given us all something we will never forget.

So we are in Idaho now, first time I have ever been here and its great! Get to check that one off the Map! The ride today was 70 miles most of which we had the strong gusts at our backs which made for some BA tailwinds and and easy riding! Another thing about today that was great is that we started at like 630AM to finish around 2. Feels like a rest day!

Other days.... not so much

Yesterday was long, hot and kinda awful but had a Great finish with Mari, Glenna and Karen. We had some tough goings all day (all 9.5 hours of it!) but just found our rythms towards the end and just let it ride, slowly and surely.

Biking into Hood River was rainy so that was no fun....

But, take all the hurt and discomfort we have all experienced and it amounts to nothing but a side story to all the great sights, sounds, smells and experiences of the ride thus far. Really feels good to acomplish the day no matter how the ride went.

Can't wait to change time zones! Getting closer to the East Coast will be a blessing!

Love You All

Hope to get back on here soon

Enjoy the Pics!