Today we had what some consider the toughest day on the ride. I was also one of the most scenic. We rode from Idaho Falls, ID at about elevation 4700 FT up over Pine Tree summit @6800 FT and then descended to about 5800 FT before climbing up and over Teton Pass at 8500 FT then a long decent into Jackson Hole Wyoming, our 3rd state. It was awesome and with a few of the strong riders having mechanical problems/flats and a few having altitude/burn out problems on a final 3 mile 10% ascent I was actually the 3rd rider over the pass and with my fearless decent reaching 52 MPH rode in with a guy from Germany 2nd into the barn.

Beginning to climb up along the Snake river

Roommate Charlie and me as the climb was about to begin

View of the Tetons

Some of the Penguins at the top of the pass .... note Tom the Neurologist from Atlanta bent over his handle bars.

And now I must pass along some bad news with regard to some of the penguins. We were told at the onset of the trip the first day that usually about 4 or more people do not make it through the entire journey. Most commonly it is due to an injury or an accident or getting sick or saddle sores. Our group has been more dramatic. First in Idaho Falls last night Mike from Texas who looked to be in pretty good shape though he rode near the back of the group, while waiting for his room in the hotel lobby turrned a weird ashen color and sort of passed out. As penguins looking out for each other somebody called 911 and 2 or our riders who are doctors diagnosed a heart attack. He was taken away and today had emergency trippl;e by-pass open heart surgery.

Then today Tom the Neurologist (shown above) who is one of the most experienced and strongest riders, but evidently not experienced on decents, went int a high speed shimmy and crashed on todays decent and is in the hospital with a broken hip. I feel fortunate to have a strong heart and lots of experience on descents from Greylock and others in the Berkshires.

I have to go to bed because tomorrow we have another climb, though only one not 2 but up to Togwotee Pass at 9658 FT, our highest elevation and where we cross the continental divide. It is supposed to be beautiful through the heard of the Tetons.