HIAWATHA TRAIL

 

Last week I was in Idaho for the Buck Knives Collectors convention. I took a break from  whoopee cushions and hand buzzers and went on a bike ride. I rented a bike and rode the scenic Hiawatha Trail. This trail is situated in the forested mountains on an abandoned railroad line. The best part of the ride it 15 mile ride that is all downhill. You travel through 10 large and very dark train tunnels. You cross 7 sky high train trestles. You also experience wild life and views that will be with you for a lifetime. 

The very first tunnel is 1.6 miles long. You are required to bring a light to guide you through. Let me tell you it is dark. I turned off the light for kicks and got a sensory overload of speeding through darkness not in control. The light went back on very quick. The tunnel is very cool and moisture drips on you from the ceiling. You will get muddy.

 What a fun ride of twists and turns and Mr. Deer munching on the side of the path. You get to the bottom and you are shuttled back to the top in an old school bus. The ride back in the bus is very scenic. I was having a blast in this bus and was getting flashbacks to summer camp of my youth. If you are ever in Idaho this is a must thing to do. Go ride a bike.

TOUR DE FRANCE

 TOUR DE FRANCE

21 DAYS OF RACING & SNACKS

Welcome to my food bicycle race experience. As some of you may have read, I have had some technological problems. This is a replay in its entirety of my 21 days on the couch watching the Tour de France. I hope you enjoy my food chronicle.

The Race

 Stage 1 will in the Basque Country; Bilbao Spain. It will be a hilly 182km route. The last kilometer boasts a 13% grade.

The Snack

 A spicy salsa from the our local farmers market. Norma’s Wicked Salsa packs a punch because it is kissed with the wrath of habanero peppers.

The Race

Stage 2 starts in Victoria-Gasteiz and ends in San Sebastián Spain. This is another hilly 200.9km route. Yesterday had an unusual finish of two brothers taking first and second; Adam & Simon Yates twin brothers from England.

The Snack

Yummy butter toffee peanuts are perfect to watch the racers tackle the hilly route.

The Race

The start of stage 3 is in Amorebita-Etxan, Spain and travels 187.4km to Bayonne France. Today will follow the coastline. The finish line will proably bring out the sprinters.

The Snack

California sun ripened beautiful peaches make for a tasty snack.

The Race

Stage 4, Dax, France will begin this 181.8km flat stage. The finish is in Nogaro which will have the sprinters hammering down. Will Cavendish break the record for most sprint wins? The world watches.

The Snack

You are witnessing a live shot directly from my couch. Chocolate on chocolate makes this brownie ala mode very special.

The Race

Stage 5 brings us to the Pyrenees mountains. It is a steep route of the Cole de Soudet and climbing the slopes of Marie Blanque. The race starts in Pau and travels 162.7km to finish in Laruns. 

The Snack

We need a high protein snack to tackle the mountains today. Belmont farms has a very fresh and crunchy Virginia peanut offering. So good.

The Race

144.9 km of mountain climbing for stage 6 the racers will endure. The route starts in Tarbes and ends in Gauterets-Gambasque. The Pyrenees mountains will challenge and race leaders will emerge.

The Snack

Oishi Prawn Crackers sparked the curiosity for this snack thrill seeker. Let’s just say; I take risks so you dear reader do not have too. The top was ripped open to release the aroma of an abandoned bait shop. The only positive thing I could come up with about this snack; I did not die. We all cannot wear the Yellow Jersey.

The Race

Stage 7 has the Sprinters excited. A 189.9 km route from Mont-de-Marsan to Bordeaux. Mark Cavendish was the last winner here and can he repeat?

The Snack

We are live from my couch again today. Today we combine the Hot Sauce of the Month with the snack of your choice. What better way to heat up your viewing pleasure?

The Race

Stage 8 promises to showcase beautiful landscapes. It is a 200km route from Libourne-Limoges. It is a combination of flats with the last section being quite hilly.

The Snack

This snack is entitled BOLD Habanero Bbq almonds. Do not let the name scare you because the pepper bite is quite tame. I would venture to say the are mild but oh so flavorful. This snack is a winner.

The Race

Stage 9 will be a significant battle for the General Contender riders. It is a tough winding steep finish. The start to finish town names are a mouthful; Saint-Leonard-de-Noblat to Puy De Dome. *

The Snack

Fun black jelly eggs will put a smile on your licorice cravings.

* Mark Cavendish had to abandon (crashed) the Tour yesterday. This was reportedly his last TDF. Farewell to one of the best sprinters to ever race.

Today the Tour de France takes a break. Come back tomorrow and 21 days of racing & snacks will resume.

The Race

According to the official race guide stage 10 is a real leg breaker. The start is in Vulcania and climbs and descends for 167.2 km to Issoire.

The Snack

Vine ripened cantaloupe from Stockton California makes for a sweet refreshing treat. Dare I say; healthy?

The Race

Stage 11 is a 179.8km route from Clermont-Ferand to Moulins. Today possibly will have a sprinters finish. The finish line has a straight 900 meter launching ramp for a wild and potentially dangerous end.

The Snack

Today’s snack does not tilt the excitement wheel. It truly is a pre-snack to tide us over to the good stuff. Nature Valley makes a perfectly decent oats and honey snack bar.

The Race

Stage 12 is a very hilly 168.8km route from Roanne to Belleville-En- Beaujolais. Today the break-a-way group may succeed while cycling through the Beaujolais wine making region.

The Snack

Fruitcake and bike racing in July; life is good. I received my ‘Fruitcake of the Month’. Actually it is a quarterly subscription service offered by Supreme Fruitcake Company. I received this fruitcake cookie, cake and a whole lot more. I am one happy Tour de France couch watching fan.

The Race

Stage 13, Ghatillon-Sur-Chalaronne to Grand Colombier is a huge mountain climb. The route is only 137.8km long but is steep.

The Snack

Ms Goofy out did herself with some home made cherry pie bars. I can personally guarantee there was not one pit present on these yummy snacks.

The Race

Stage 14 will climb 4,100m of vertical gain; Ouch! Annemasse is the start and a fast descent 151.8km later in Morzine Les Du Soleil is the finish. This is a battle for the General Contender group.

The Snack

Cheese Florets by the Southern Supreme Fruitcake company will be the snack of the day. These are homemade “Cheeze-It’s’ on steroids. They are rich and addicting.

The Race

Stage 16, Les Gets Les Porters Du Soleil, 170.8km to Saint Gervais is on the plate today. The break-a-way group has a good chance for victory today. 

The Snack

My childhood all time favorite candy bar is up today. These bars are sold mainly in Canada and are not easy to find in the states. Coffee Crisp is a chocolate coated wafer bar that brings back fond memories.

The Race

Today is the time trials. Each racer rides individually on a 22.4km route course. Valuable seconds can be won or lost on this unique Stage 16.

The Snack

Watermelon fresh of the vine from Stockton California. What a great way to cool down from strenuous race watching.

The Race

Stage 17 has been called; ‘Rendevous in Hell’. 5000m of vertical climbing will test the riders will to survive. The race starts in Spain-Gervais Mont-Blanc and ends 165.7km later in Gourchevel.

The Snack

This is my Achilles heel of snacks. I love bbq flavored corn-nuts. I think you do too.

The Race

Stage 18, 184.9km, Moutiers to Bourg-En-Bresse is the route today. The Danish rider Jonas Vingeguaard is the race leader and wears the yellow jersey. It looks like he is riding to victory.

The Snack

Today’s snack should be called; I tried it so you do not have to. Ginger Chew caught my interest at the International store. They were inexpensive and I believe there is a reason for that. I opened the individually wrapped candy and popped it into my mouth. My initial thoughts were; it is sweet and chewy as advertised. But then it happened. A burn, not like a chile pepper heat, began to climb. What is happening? It was more of a spice burn like too much cinnamon. My mouth actually began to numb. I had to spit it out. My mouth remained numb for a good 10 minutes. All snacks are not winners. You are welcome.

The Race

Stage 19 is 172km route from Moirans-En-Montagne to Poligny. Todays stage will most likely be won by a breakaway. Team Jumbo-Visma will protect their leader the maillot juane/yellow jersey on the race to Paris

The Snack

Thankfully today we have a wonderful snack of maple crispy peanuts. This snack fires on all cylinders; crispy,salty, mapley, sweet and ever so addicting.

The Race

Stage 20, we are so close to Paris. Today starts in Belfort and rolls 133.5 km to Le Markstein Fellering. Tommorows finale is right around the corner.

The Snack

No explanation needed

The Race

Today is the finale. We start in Saint-Quentin-En-Yvelines and roll 115.1km to Paris. The racers will race around the famous cobblestoned Champs-Elysees. Congratulations to Jonas Vingegaard for winning the Yellow Jersey.

The Snack

Ms. Goofy made this wonderful small cheesecake. What a perfect way to end the race. 

I hope you have enjoyed Tour de France .....21 days of racing & snacks.  What a race and what great snacks. I promise to find and try even more snacks for next year.

 

I SHALL RETURN

To quote the famous General MacArthur; I shall return. I have been having computer difficulties. Actually my 10 year old computer froze up on me and died. I will be returning with a brand new fangled, faster, fancier, newer and even toasts bread computer. Stay tuned.

I have been posting on another social media; Tour de France.........21 days of racing and snacks". I will probably give it to you in its entirety Monday. Stay tuned.