Day 13-Twin Falls to Sandpoint ID

Well, this one started off very interesting. We took off from lodging at about 7am and no more than a mile out I took a fall and had to put my bike up on the rack for the rest of the ride. What happened was we were coming up on the pace line ahead of us to pass them, we were maybe 10ft back and out of no where one of the guys in the other pace line ahead of us fell so we had to hit the brakes quick but I was riding in the middle of my line and the guy behind me couldn't slow fast enough and started rubbing tires with me and fell left taking me down with him. I almost saved myself too but couldn't stay up. Only got some scrapes from the fall but my back wheel was a little out of alignment, enough that I shouldn't ride on it another 40 miles. We were able to take it to Greasy Fingers Bike Shop in Sandpoint to get it trued before the friendship visit so I can ride tomorrow, luckily the fix is pretty cheap. The ride looked amazing though I wish I could have rode for it but I hear tomorrow will be even better riding into Montana.

Because my bike was at the shop I missed riding into our friendship visit with Panhandle Special Needs but it was fun waving from the van too I guess. It is the first time a JOH route has been to this organization and they were really excited to have us. One of the major programs this organization is proud of is their work training programs to prepare people to work in the community, in Idaho and other states these programs are under fire from groups so they really urged that we support and spread awareness for these programs along with our ride. We ate lunch and then had a dance party and celebrated a couple birthdays of two of their members Bill 50 and Missy 41, they were glad to have so many people there to celebrate with especially Missy and her friend who liked talking to all the guys! They also had some amazing artwork displayed in the activity center where we were and I found out it was all done by their members, they have some very talented artists, they sell a lot of them and use them to make a calendar every year. Before we left, another member Bobby called us over to huddle up, he used to play football, he told us he didn't always have a "handicap", he has only had one for 2 years since a football accident and that what we are doing meant so much to him and that he was going to get better so that he could do the ride, he had a couple guys on the brink of tears including myself, he was so positive and such a funny guy during our visit, just joking around with us playing Uno for a bit before dancing. The impact this ride has on people like Bobby is incredible and he will definitely be remembered by all the guys this year and will help motivate us to push ourselves every day.

Dinner was sponsored by Cafe Trinity which is right on the water, gorgeous view, but very small meal so we went to explore downtown. This town is so small and so awesome, beautiful everywhere, one guy said the town is "too honest", one of our guys left his water bottle in town and someone returned it to the athletic center where we are staying. While exploring we found this really cool bridge/pier type deal that has a bunch of shops. The pier was full of local candy and trinket shops including a non-profit arts and crafts and toy store with a all natural fruit smoothie bar. The lady working there was so nice and let us sample a bunch of things and made some delicious drinks for a few of us.

Our lodging tonight is also so great, it is an athletic club and they are not very busy so we have free access to all the amenities including pool, spa, steam room, weight room, and most importantly a hydro massage!! It is amazing, my back and shoulders have been starting to hurt a little so it was perfect timing. Tonight we are headed to a local bar and grill to check out some local brews and word on the street is they have some of the best food in town too.

Tomorrow we have a 90 mile day and we are crossing into Montana, wooohooo another state down! We also cross back into the corner of Idaho after Montana for just a couple days again.