Here Comes the Rain

Despite the fact that our ride today was to be only 45 miles - our third relatively easy day in a row - we got underway at the "usual" time of breakfast at 7.  The forecast called for an elevated chance of rain starting around 11 so no point in delaying the inevitable.  Our accommodation was a little ways out of the small town of Graegle in a rather rural setting.  So it was no surprise to see these lovely creatures outside our door on the way to breakfast at the van.

A little bit warmer today.  Started out about 6C.  No really tough climbs but...... little bit up, little bit down........ for about the first 12 miles.  We've been seeing lots of these blue flowers (lupines?) by the side of the road for a few days now.

Rumour had it that there was a good breakfast place/bakery in Quincy @ about 25 miles.  Pretty much all downhill from Lee Summit so we were ready for cinnamon buns before we had really earned them.

While it was a pretty ride today it wasn't my favourite.  We were on SR 89 all day but we joined SR 70 as well for about 33 miles.  Seems there were a lot more trucks on that route as well as less paved shoulder.  We have started to see logging trucks for the first time on this ride although not too many so far.  Over the course of a few of these rides I would have to say that some of the worst drivers are schoolbus drivers.  Not sure if they don't know where the sides of their vehicles are or whether they just don't care how close they come to us.  Maybe they picture us as some of their most misbehaved passengers!  Quincy was in a bit of an agricultural valley.

We quickly moved back into more forested terrain, with deep valleys, creeks/rivers, and railway tracks.  Note both the tunnel and the tressle in the last picture below.

Once we left SR 70 behind we started climbing toward Greenville and followed a creek almost all the way - Indian Creek, I think.

The clouds started to build and at 10:52 it started to rain - not enough to put on raingear, but enough to look forward to getting out of it.  Soon enough Greenville appeared.

We're staying outside of town at the Hideaway Motel.  Definitely a small-time operator but the basic rooms seem adequate enough.  A few of us didn't get very wet but a few others who were just slightly behind us really got quite drenched.  I was lucky enough to get a room to myself tonight so lots of time to spread out and just relax.  Since we're out of town and since we pedalled directly here to stay dry-ish, Emily made us all grilled cheese sandwiches and hot chocolate for lunch (in addition to the lunch I had packed on the bike).  No hunger pangs on this trip!

Stats for the day:
76 km / 47 miles from Graegle CA to Greenville CA
2273 feet up
3072 feet down
Weather:  6C to 20C, then back down to about 10C when it started to rain.  Light to moderate rain showers, but beat the hail and downpour that followed.  By 3PM the sun is intermittently shining again.  Haven't looked at the forecast for tomorrow yet.