Cindy's Silver Valley Ride to Defeat ALS 2021

Team Gleason decided to do the ALS fundraiser bike ride at the normal location.  The ride was virtual again this year but I am sure next year we will get the full experience.  We did our best to recreate the experience.  We started at the trailhead in Kingston, Idaho across from the Snake Pit restaurant.  Peggy and Bonnie did their speed walking and Sheila and I biked the Trail of the Coeur d Alene's.  

Sheila could have had me hold her bike or she could have used the asphalt path to the restroom but NO!  She hauled her bike up the stairs.  

And there they go, the speed walkers!  They saw a bald eagle on their walk!  We did not see the bald eagle riding bikes. 

This trail is so beautiful.  

No diving or jumping off the bridge.  That was not a temptation at all.  

I was riding my bike when I took this picture and didn't know if I would capture the fishermen.  I did. I am getting pretty good at taking pictures while moving.  HA. 

We went across the road to explore the other side of the trail.  It started out looking great. 

We discovered that this was some sort of a quarry that created lots of dust.  We turned around. 

We finished our ride and walk and headed to the Snake Pit.  The Snake Pit usually provides an outdoor BBQ after the ride.  Trying to make the experience as close as possible to the real deal meant we had to eat at the Snake Pit.  Of course we did!

See that grilled cheese sandwich?  It was the best grilled cheese I have ever eaten.  That says a lot because I have eaten a lot of grilled cheese sandwiches.  

I appreciate these ladies and their continued support of my ALS fundraising efforts and of me in general.  Good friends, good food, good exercise for a good cause.  Thank you for joining me and being such good friends. 

Cindy's Ride To Defeat ALS, 27 Miles of Fun!

Why in the world haven't I done this before???  I am not sure.  It was so much fun!  I wasn't going to make a team but Trish persuaded me that a team was a must.  Here we are Team Gleason ready to ride.  It was a beautiful day.  

We took the drive to Kingston, Idaho to start the ride.   The trail head was right by the Snake Pit restaurant.  The drive was about 1 hour and 15 minutes.  

There was a silent auction and a raffle! 

 Friends!!!!!!

I thought Trish should have been singing the national anthem.  She has a beautiful voice, really it is beyond beautiful.

 Getting ready to roll!  Becky had some information to give us.

 Then Nathan!

This is our before picture.  All geared up and ready to go!  Our plan was to ride 20 miles.  We rode 27 miles.  Next year maybe more!

 Here goes Sheila!

 This is the Snake Pit.  They supplied the food after the ride!

So beautiful.  I have said it before.  God loves us so much and he created this beautiful scenery for us to enjoy.  You might ask how I was taking pictures.  I can take them while I am riding my bike.  Some turn out blurry but most are AOK!   One hand on the handlebar and the other on the camera! I haven't crashed yet.

 There was a moose on the trail that others saw but we didn't.

 A thunderstorm was expected later in the afternoon.  Skies are blue here!

 5 mile rest stop with random strangers in the picture.

Off we go again!  The lily pads were amazing.  I missed getting a picture of a spot that had hundreds of lily pads!

 We didn't get to see the moose but we did see a lot of horses!

 We are at the half way spot.  Snacks and a quick stop!

We picked up the pace on the way back.  Not as many pictures.  If you click on this picture and make it bigger you can see a group of bikers on recumbent bikes.

No White Flags! We did it! 27 miles of beautiful scenery on a fabulous day.  The weather was perfect and the thunder storm never arrived.  I have some pretty great friends that support me a lot.  I am so thankful!!! One day we will hear that there has been a treatment discovered or even better a cure discovered for ALS!

Wow!  What a great lunch.  I was thinking burgers or something like that for the BBQ but no!  Rice, BBQ beef and pineapple. So, so good! The BBQ was included in the fee for the ride.  Well worth it!

 Still no rain!

I can't wait to do this again.  I know that Trish and Sheila are in for next year.  The great thing is you can ride 1 mile up to 63 miles.  You can turn around anytime.  The route is pretty level and the scenery is amazing.  Not to mention the BBQ and most importantly it is for a great cause.

 To top the day off we had a raffle winner, Trish!!!