db(L)o(G): We ride at night

Hot weather has led us to alter our riding schedules the last several days. After sunset the air is the perfect temperature for riding, you can push hard without breaking a sweat. Cruising along old country highways watching shooting stars pass overhead, and gazing at the silhouettes of mountains is a refreshing experience. Riding your bike without having to worry about cars or RV's barelling by is an altogether different feel. We've been logging miles in the morning, taking a long rest during high heat, riding some more, eating dinner and then riding 'til we tire out and sleeping. Idaho, like much of the West is crazy about its irrigation. To the point where it is hard not to consider the lurking crisis we're heading towards at rapid speed. It is easy enough to joke about, as we're woken up in the middle of the night soaked by poorly installed sprinklers in a public park. But as we ride, day after day, passing by yet another alfalfa farm in the desert, tended to by massive tractors, dependent on large quantities of pesticides and herbicides, and irrigation pivots, the reality of our broken food system is unavoidable. For practical purposes, as well as a change of pace, I have thrown my food ethic out the window. Riding everyday means eating a lot, and in the interest of making our money last we're on the quest for cheap energy. Needless to say I have eaten my share of Snickers bars (roughly 2-3 a day). Rolling up to a grocery store after 60 + miles feels like a speed addict pulling into Fresno (sorry Fresno). We search for the sale tags, 2 for 1 specials and day olds. It has become a skill, a science. We know when Albertsons discounts their doughnuts. We know Safeway is offering buy 2 get two free on candy bars. There is a pleasure in indulging this way, but we understand that it is because we are riding the shit out of our bikes that we can eat crappy food and not suffer the consequences. And at the same time we are supporting the bad guys, contributing to the large decentralized food system we despise. If nothing else this makes more apparent the changes we need to make. In Victor, ID on our way up to Teton Pass we rolled by The Grand Teton Brewery who was having a benefit for a local food collective that has a youth farm program for elementary kids. They gave us a big bag of fresh organic greens (which have been hard to come by in these parts). This proved to be a shinning beacon amidst the factory farms and CAFOS. It is these instances that provide a positive light to a somewhat distressing situation. Short story long, this makes me appreciate the work that has is being done to improve the way we eat such as CSA's, local food circles, farm to school programs and food pantries. Enough downer Derek..... here's some photo's. Also I've linked Brendon and Ted's blogs so you can see and read about the trip from their perspectives.