Day 10-Boise to Mt Home

Day 10

We are rested after a day off. The day begins later than usual because its only 53 miles to Mt

Home. The wind is brisk but decidedly at our collective backs. Its partly cloudy and good riding

temperature, in the upper 70's. Sage brush and range land. We do access a fair piece of I-84 and make really good time on the freeway. Just a pic of the vastness of this part of the world and a cool view of telephone poles planted in a row stretching off into infinity.

Well, my friends, I have decided to chronicle my trip by using this website. I've never blogged before. Have you? I hope you find it interesting.

Day 0

Here's a studly pic of me in my room in Astoria the evening before. Snazzy jerseys!
And one of my gorgeous GF!


Day 1

We left Astoria Oregon on the morning of June 21, in the fog and drizzle so common to all of us Oregonians. It was actually good to ride in and although the ride went east on Rt 30, which is very busy with truck traffic, log trucks especially, it was uneventful. We ended the day 69 miles later in St Helens, on the Columbia River just north of Portland.


Day 2

The ride today is 75 miles and the route takes us into Portland on the St Johns bridge. It was a bit intimidating in its own right. Traffic is close the sidewalk. The route leads us on a series of twists and turns using bike paths and backstreets. We found our way along the Willamette River on Marine Drive , crossing under the Interstates until we are free of the city and following various roads through the green, rich farmlands of the Willamette Valley. Many fields of nursery trees and fertile crops, all in full bloom, are so pleasing to the eye. Everyone is marveling at the beauty. The weather has turned sunny and just right for riding. Mt Hood shows itself to the southeast, glistening white against clear blue skies. We continue thru Sandy and up the highway to Welches, our second night stay. Its gorgeous and we have condo units in the resort.

Mt Hood from 40 miles

Day 3

We start early, about 7 for 64 miles of two wheeled bliss! First its a 12 mile climb to the pass. Its a long slow climb especially for the third day. The morning is cool but partly sunny. The mountain beckons ...or perhaps it was just setting us up! Anyway, Govt Camp which is the summit was a welcome sight. Riders gathered at the SAG for water and snacks, which is a normal routine now. ODOT was there painting lines in the lot and I noticed an ODOT guy with a spray can in hand painting markers on the faded lines for the paint truck. I asked him if ODOT painted all the lines with a spray can and ...well, I don't think he thought I was very funny. We talked for a bit and I reassured him that I was kidding...yeah uh huh

The ride down the other side resulted in a climb up to Mt Hood Meadows, another ski area which is also around 5000 ft. Well, we finally got going down passing some Alpine meadows that were just brilliant green. The pics don't do justice at all. We went through the pine forests and eventaully came out onto the semi arid sage brush and range land of central Oregon.



While we were at a SAG, one of the riders, Dan, had two blowouts, one on each wheel, while he was getting water. The bike was just setting there in the sun and bang...bang...can you spell KARMA!

The route takes us along the road to Ka-Nee-Ta. The Cascade range is in sight with Mt hood in our rear-view mirrors. The late, wet spring has all the wild flowers in bloom still. Everything including the grasslands are green. Even the sage is bright colored. Wild lupine are everywhere as well as other varieties of high desert flowers. The day ends at the resort on the hill over looking the valley. Nice pool, nice hot tub, nice Black Butte Porter...Nice 65 miles.

Day 4

We are up early for the 61 mile ride to Prineville. The sun is up with us and already warm when we leave about 6:30am. The snakes are out laying on the pavement getting warmed up as we pass. Some forgot to move for vehicle traffic. Others are very much alive. Lots of rattlers.

We pass through Warm Springs and get on 97 South. Its busy. Heres a fly fisherman on the Deschutes...wish I was...We follow the Deschutes along the valley floor and then start climbing out of the valley leaving the river behind. Its really pleasant...and warm. This view of the plateau shows the road carved out of the side of the mountain. This was a long hot climb. Mt Jefferson is in the rear view mirror out to the west. Stunning Oregon...again. Riders, many of whom have never seen Oregon are amazed. And humbled. So am I.

We ride south to Madras for a quick stop and then off to Prineville. Less traffic here. Rolling hills of sage and grasslands. Cattle country too. My tail section is sore. And I find that I have lots of company...ouch.

Day 5

We are worried about today. 2 huge climbs and 117 miles of hills, high desert and heat. We start off early, as always, and begin a 30 mile gentle climb up into the Ochoco Mountains. I took this pic of a cemetery, thinking how appropriate. Just bury me here...now...The alpine valleys are beautiful in the early morning sunlight.

We reach the summit, (proof is in the pic), and then begin a long descent into yet more beautiful landscapes. Large open valleys with cattle and ranches .

Mitchell is finally sighted and some stop for lunch and a photo op with the super-sized chairs made by a juniper furniture maker in Mitchell. Ah, this one will fit me just fine. And then lunch with other wayward souls. And then the second climb of the day and of course, finally, the summit. Love those summits!

More rolling hills and a ride down the John Day River canyon and a quick SAG stop in Dayville. On to John Day.


We arrive...spent...sweaty...happy!

Day 6

80 miles on the agenda today. John Day to Baker. First a pic of the Outpost Restaurant for breakfast. And although its hard to discern, that is me with the John Day valley behind in the early morning sun. Lots of open range land with the Strawberry Wilderness Area to the south of us.

The conestoga marks the passage of the early pioneers into the territory. Its located about halfway up our first climb to Dixie summit. Then its down a bit and back up to Tipton summit and down again and up to Snall summit. 3 in all and hard climbs all.

Its on to Baker City down the Powder River gorge with a tailwind. Then about 10-12 miles of a stiff headwind in to town just for good measure. As if 80 miles of ups and downs weren't enough for one day. Ah the life and times of a bicyclist.

Day 7

We are up at 5am to load and get breakfast. The 83 mile day is down hill and we are at the first SAG in about an hour and half. 30 quick miles. We were on I 84 for a few short runs too. I've never ridden on an Interstate before. But its Sunday morning and not busy at all! There was no other route. It all went ok though. First town was Huntington and the on to Ontario for a total of 83 miles today. It was over 100 in places along the way. We followed the Snake River for a while and then up and through the fertile fields of onions, sugar beets and grains. Just add water! Fertile and flat. No more hills. Yeah. And now we land at the Holiday Inn in Ontario with dinner at Sizzlers. Sweet. Tired legs and sore butts. I find myself also nursing a bit of a sore Achilles in my right heel. We do have an Orthopedic therapist riding with his son. So the advice is handy. I'm icing and taking Advil...we'll talk again soon.

Day 8

We have only 60 miles to get to Boise today. We cross our first stae line and oh gee whiz, another photo op! The ride should be flat, they say. Just rolling hills through onion fields and those famous Idaho spuds! Lots of irrigation ditches etc. Thats how its done here. The weather is warm...strike that...HOT, clear blue skies. The first 30 miles are fast. Little John and I are riding together and keeping up with the faster riders. Mayber they just slowed down? I have my first flat. I found a thumbtack. What are the odds of that? The odds of it flattening a tire are pretty good though. Anyway, I'm melting. Its a 100 at least when we get to Boise and I'm ready for some rest.

We had a severe weather change late in the day today. It clouded up and rained as a thunderstorm blew through. Really cooled things off. Nice.

Day 9 Day of R&R

After 8 days of riding with 54 hearty souls from many different states, England, Scotland, China, I think I have found a comfortable niche. There is a great deal of harmony in the group, a certain comraderie that pervades our time together. I also find that I am probably very close to the average in terms of ability. I can ride with most, most of the time. But it really does not matter. This ride is a wonderful metaphor for life. Finishing and just enjoying both the company and the country is what's important. Oh and I bought a new saddle(seat to you nonriders) today.