Cyclists make pit stop in Thompson Falls

Eagle Scouts Cycling Across America made a pit stop at the Riverfront Motel in Thompson Falls after a day long, 80-mile trip from Sandpoint, Idaho. The bikers started in Seattle and will continue to New York City, from there they will travel south down to Washington D.C.

The whole journey will consist of 67 days and around 4,200 miles, across 15 northern states. The distance will vary because the group will also be visiting 17 different Boy Scout camps and to reach them they will have detour of the route quite away and then get back on.

Brandon Bolick, from Fredericksburg, Virginia, thought that it was cool that the group would be zig-zagging off the route to hit the different Boy Scout camps and get to meet different scouts from around the country.

The group is made up of Eagle Scouts of all ages with the youngest rider, Phillip Bolick, at 15 and the oldest rider, Ed Waggoner, at 69. There are 10 youth riders and 20 adult riders from all over the country.

Wesley Pan from Great Falls, Virginia said that he "was a little more sore after the day's ride," but joked that "moral was still high." Pan has been an Eagle Scout for three years.

Amal Mehta, from California, said that "the ride was one of the toughest so far because of the heat." There were also comments about how Montana is sunnier than California, with the sun rising early and setting late.  

David Jones will be with the crew for the whole trip and he even brought along his dog, "Chester," who rides on the back of his bike in a comfortable modified basket.  

The caravan includes passenger vans and trailers to haul all the equipment. Having other vehicles also provides the opportunity to rest if any rider gets too tired or there is an injury. Ed Waggoner was the main driver of one of the vans but also had the opportunity to bike for three of the days so far. The group will also be picking up other riders along the route who wished to join.