Friday, July 31, 2009
Friday. Mitchell, Oregon to Redmond, Oregon 72 miles. Great start today. As I was getting my bike ready to go I realized my back tire was flat. Rotten way to start the day. I changed it no problem, but couldn’t find the cause. This is not good because whatever caused the flat could still be lurky. Sure enough after 10 miles in the midst of a 20 mile 2500 foot climb it went flat again. At least it wasn’t hot yet. Andy thought the problem was with the wheel. I changed it again and hoping for the best rode on and miraculously made it all the way without another flat. At this point I’ll leave well enough alone and keep riding. After the initial climb the rest of the day way flat to slightly down hill. Right after Prineville with about 20 miles to go a bit of excitement ensued. Scott had been ahead of me passing earlier when I stopped for second breakfast. In the distance I see his bike parked on the side of the road but no scott. As I approach I notice a car parked on the opposite side of the road and someone crouched down beside it. I realize that it’s scott and that he must be helping someone with a mechanical problem. I stop to check it out and immediately realize this is an emergency. A dopey kid had stopped to change a flat and didn’t properly set the jack. Somehow he got under the car and the jack collapse bringing the car down Ion his face and chest. I asked scott if he had called 911. He thought it more important to get the kid out and was furiously working the jack. I called 911 and 4 sheriff’s car arrive in about 2 minutes. The kid was pulled out with compression pain in his chest and scraps on the side of his face and head, but did not seem to have any serious injuries. i‘m sure scott saved his life as the weight of the car probably would have suffocated him. Quite a day!!!!!!!!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Thursday. Prairie city, Oregon to Mitchell, Oregon 82 miles. Today’s ride was within one mile of our longest single day ride. For the first 51 miles we rode down steam through the broad valley along the john day river. We then entered a deep narrow canyon turned and headed up a long 25mile climb that took us up out of the canyon and through pine forests to summit after climbing about 2500 feet. Then it was down hill to the tiny town of Mitchell where we’re staying in an historic old hotel. Historic means no air conditioning and bathroom down the hall. Hopefully it will cool down from the current 97 degrees.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wednesday. Baker city, Oregon to prairie city, Oregon 70 miles. Today was our toughest ride in weeks. The terrain was uniquely different from any other day on the trip. We encountered three ripples all 1000 feet plus or minus in elevation change. All three were had identical grades heading up and screaming down. After completing the first climb the descent was only a few hundred feet and entered a beautiful high valley. The road flattened for several miles and then the second climb took us up again and then down a bit to another higher valley. Flat again and then another climb which opened into a huge valley as pictured below.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Monday. Halfway, or. To baker city, or. 53 miles. Two healthy climbs with two short quick descents and the rest of the day gradual uphill through steep dry canyon walls on both sides. We’re definitely in high dessert which will continue for a few days. there’s a heat wave in much of Oregon that somehow avoided us today. Mid 80’s, low humidity, and wind that didn’t pick up until we made camp. Rest day tomorrow then a seven day ride to the ocean.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sunday. Cambridge, Idaho to Halfway, OREGON!!!!!!!! 52 miles. Forecast was for hot, windy and chance of t-storms so left at 6:05am. The first 20 miles was a climb out of the weiser river valley to 4130 feet. Then a great cautious down hill to the snake river and hell’s canyon with a wonderful second breakfast halfway down. The landscape is still hilly but extremely dry as you can see in the pictures. We crossed the brownlee dam and entered Oregon our last state. We continued down the snake through hell’s canyon for twelve miles. Very, very hot. Andy kept us in water and even delivered popsicles. The climb out of hell’s canyon was a gradual 16 mile up hill to halfway where we’re staying in a very nice motel due to heat and probable storms.
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