We awoke early, well not that we haven’t been awake early, but we were deliberate to get camp put up, bikes loaded and pedaling down the road. The county road south of Priest River, meandering eastward towards US 95. The morning was cool and the miles clipped by. The car traffic was light and courteous.
I was on a mission. Prior to leaving Boise my rear brake caliper was leaking fluid, ever so little, causing some squeaking. Shimano was going to warranty it, but Worlds Cycle needed to order it. But we were leaving in the morning. So the part was shipped to Greasy Fingers Bikes N Repair in Sandpoint. They open at 10.
The serene ride ended when we joined the bumper to bumper traffic of US95. The shoulder was wide. At Sagel we joined a bike path all the way into Sandpoint. Typical of me, we arrived at Greasy Fingers plenty early. So we found a bakery and ate a tasty egg, tomato, avocado croissant and a hardy dark coffee.
Getting back to Greasy Fingers N Repair as it opened, we found it busy. Obvious the local favorite to have your bike tuned. In addition to the warranty work, my flat tire that I plugged 11 days and 400 miles ago finally gave up. We limped the bike in the last 10 miles. So they agreed to fix my tire and also adjust Rhonda’s front shifter. We expected the repairs would take the day. Greasy Fingers is the bikers kind of shop. They are well stocked with all the accessories you need. So I replaced my biking gloves with something with padding. We found some rear mud guards to replace my bodge created by a used milk jugs. The mechanics and staff are friendly to visit with. They have a great shop
Sooner than later, we got the call that the bikes were ready! We returned and got all loaded up and started eastward again.
12 miles later, we couldn’t escape yet another broken beer bottle. Rhonda’s rear tire got a slice bigger than my tire plugs could fill. We could have done a road side repair with tire boots, inserting an inner tube and limped onward in the heat. But as Providence would have it, Becky was still in the area and Greasy Fingers was still open. Returning to the shop Rhonda got a new tire installed and some more supplies.
In the meantime Mark, Clate and I pedaled another 13 miles to camp.
Shortly the girls joined us, camp was made, we showered and then enjoyed a great 1/2 rack of pork ribs at the restaurant on the water.
Now we await a beautiful sunset on the lake.
“May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him…” Romans 15:13
What a beautiful trip. Linda says to say "hi" to her former front yard - Pend Oreille Lake
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