Day 4 - Kah-Nee-Ta to Prineville, OR

Today: 60 miles, 3395 feet of climb
Cumulative: 301 miles, 15944 feet of climb

Climbing a hill, headed east away from Mt. Jefferson and the Cascades

If there was a biker heaven, today would have been it. With all due respect to my biking friends in Georgia (and Scott, ha-ha) today was the best bike ride of my life. Picture this: You are gliding effortlessly down a smooth straight flat road, southbound. There are farms on your left and right. The sky is clear blue, not a cloud in the sky. It is a bit brisk, with a slight wind in your face. But the sun on your left warms you just so. A slight smell of burning wood indicates a fire, miles away. The birds are chirping. And there is a yellow prop airplane buzzing back and forth across the road, crop dusting. Then, on your right are all the snow capped mountains of the Oregon Cascades. Three Sisters, Mount Washington, Three Finger Jack, and Mount Jefferson, with Mt. Hood towards your back. That was the first half of today’s ride.

Mt. Hood receeding in the distance

We started a little later than normal at 7:30AM after a nice buffet breakfast. Climbing away from the hotel, the Cascades became visible. Then it was south for about 25 miles of spectacular scenery until we turned east. At Madras (30 miles) we said goodbye to the Cascades and they disappeared behind a ridge. We are now in farm country, though we also rode through Crooked River National Grassland the second half of the day. We topped out at 3400 feet elevation before a seven mile descent into Prineville where several of us went to Brothers Restaurant for lunch before checking into the hotel. It’s a Best Western, and the room is just fine.

Luckily, I have not had a flat tire yet. Margo had the honor of the first flat tire, about 4 miles from Astoria. Yesterday, poor Dan inflated his tires to 120 psi in the cool morning. At the second SAG stop it was quite warm and he laid his bike down on the hot road surface. About 5 minutes later both tires punctured at the same time from the heat. Fortunately, Dan wasn’t back on the bike at the time.

We have a long way to reach John Day tomorrow

We are starting to put a dent in the total mileage now. No more signage to Portland in our rear view mirror. Tomorrow is a long day of 117 miles into John Day. That will be the longest I’ve ever ridden by 12 miles, so I conserved energy today.

Day 3 - Welches to Kah-Nee-Ta

Today: 67 miles, 5181 feet of climb
Cumulative:241 miles and 12,549 feet of climb

Start of the climb up Mt. Hood to Government Camp and SAG1

Kah-Nee-Ta.  I'll bet you can't find it on the map. This is a hotel/casino in the middle of nowhere. To be more precise, it’s on an Indian reservation, and reservations are always in the middle of nowhere. It’s a very nice place to stay, the people friendly, the rooms very spacious, but the staff moves at their own pace and the WiFi not working didn’t seem to concern anyone. Finally tonight, I saw 20 bike riders sitting on the floor in the lobby with laptops and figured out there was a signal there. I’ve got a nice balcony overlooking a treeless mountain range, there is a huge swimming pool and golf course here too.  Plus the weather is warm and dry now. I’m getting spoiled by these nice resort hotels. By the time we get to Barley, ID on Day 12, the Budget Barley Inn should get my expectations back in line though.

This picture was taken after the climb up Mt. Hood

It was another great day for a bike ride. 53 degrees, windy and cold at the start, but the 14 mile, 2700 foot climb right out of the hotel got everyone warmed up. The route was a climb on US26 up Mt. Hood to Government Camp at 4,000 feet elevation. Then, there were some downhills and uphills and eventually a left turn on Route 9 towards Kah-Nee-Tah. It was cool forest with tall trees, babbling brooks and streams for the first 43 miles up and over Mt. Hood. With the left turn on Route 9 the terrain immediately changed to high desert; much warmer with wildflowers, few trees, and dry air. Clouds that make it over the Cascades do not drop very much precipitation in this area. Finally, I was able to take off the arm and leg warmers, and windbreaker for the rest of the day.

Another view of Mt. Hood during today's ride

I rode near several other riders and we hop scotched back and forth because there were many stops for photographs. In view on Route 9 were the Three Sisters to the Southwest, Mount Jefferson to the west, and Mount Hood to the northwest. The climbing today is supposed to be the most we’ll do until Vermont, except for the one day into Jackson, WY which (I think) goes over the Continental Divide.

The staff of six on this tour really go out of their way to make your day worthwhile. Barbara drives the box truck with the luggage to the first Sag and sets up there. Then she heads to Sag 2 with supplies. Then she drives the truck to the hotel and checks on our reservations before helping to unload the luggage. Mike is riding up and down the course looking for folks who need help and takes pictures of us at several spots. Karen sets up at the second Sag. Jeff gets to ride sweep behind the last rider from the start to Sag2 where he switches off with Karen so she can also get some riding in for the day. And John is the mechanic at the start and finish who rides with Mike during the day, fixing flats and small mechanical problems.

 

The Cascades, looking west

We should have a much easier 60 mile day tomorrow, and then a big 117 miles into John Day on Friday.  I think I'll take it slow and conserve my energy tomorrow.

Day 2 - St. Helens to Welches, OR

Today: 76 miles, 3302 feet of climb today

Cumulative: 174 miles and 7368 feet of climb.

The bike path along the Columbia River

Another great day of riding. It was a very easy day for me; much better than yesterday. The weather was overcast and it was cold at the start again. Todays route was on US 30 South to the St. Johns bridge. Then through Portland to the Columbia River bikepath.  The bike path goes out along the river past the airport. Very peaceful and quiet.  And flat. Flat is good. We then went south to US26 East which took us to today's hotel at The Resort At The Mountain.  A nice hotel, as far as I'm concerned. Even the Creative Directors at BBDO would probably like it here.

Joe on the St. Johns bridge. The Steel Bridge, Willamette River, and Portland in the background

These were all familiar roads to me today, from having run them during the Hood to Coast Relay and the Rose City 75 mile ultra. Many memories came back about running here with my running buddies and the miles passed very quickly. I knew where I was going, which was a good thing because there were a bunch of turns where the road was not signed very well.  Eventually, the skies cleared up as we climbed towards Mt. Hood and the Cascades. But it barely got to 60 degrees. Once over the Cascades we should have sunny skies because the mountains trap most of the clouds and moisture on the west side. Tomorrow will only be 64 miles, but we'll be climbing over 5000 feet.

First long view of Mt. Hood today

If I have my count right there are 16 women and 31 men riding all the way cross country. On average the women are probably better riders than the men. There are two guys riding only because their significant other asked them to do so. This ride is not a race and in fact there is a disadvantage to finishing early because then you get to unload the luggage truck. The reason I mention this is because several of women have been finishing before me and have been helping with the luggage too. I just found that different from BRAG.

Another view of Mt. Hood after skies cleared

Hi to my friends and family and former co-workers at BBDO. Debbie and Sara, the camera is working great.

Day 1 - Astoria to St. Helens, OR

Today: 69 miles, 3284 feet of climb

Cumulative: 98 miles and 4,066 feet of climb

Ready and anxious to cycle eastward

Day one is safely done.  Breakfast in the hotel meeting room opened at 6:30AM and there were 53 riders in the room when I got there at 6:31. I was talking to a couple of the guys at the end of breakfast around 7AM, looked up, and the place had cleared out already. Everyone was anxious to get going after all of the training, packing, and travel. A couple of pictures under the bridge, and we were off for New Hampshire.

The descent towards SAG2. Columbia River and bridge to Washington to our left

It was another overcast day in the 50's but no rain, as you can see in the pictures. The last time I saw the sun was 15 minutes before my plane landed on Saturday.  A far cry from the weather I hear we are having in Georgia. I'm having a great time so far, no complaints, but give me sun, 90+ degrees, and humidity rather than overcast 50's.  But I'll probably regret saying that, because we'll be in hot sunny weather fairly soon.

A Schroeder Road sighting on Day 1!

The route today was an easy one to follow. Even I couldn't get lost.  Make a left out of last night's hotel on to US30, cycle 69 miles and make a right into today's hotel.  There were two decent climbs, which I needed in order to shake the cobwebs out of my legs. (Actually, I worked a bit and was glad to see today's hotel.)  After being off the bike for a week, it takes a day or so to get your legs back. Several views of the Columbia River, and we passed a road named Schroeder!  Views of Mt. Hood should open up tomorrow as we get to and go through Portland. There is a lot of logging in the area and the logging trucks do not slow down when they go past you.  So one needs to be vigilant of traffic, though that is difficult to remember to do for several hours straight. After a while, you go brain dead when you get tired. Everyone is safely in for the day though. Tomorrow's ride to Welches will be on familiar streets for me.

Day 0 - Pacific Ocean to Astoria

Today : 30 miles 782 feet of climbing

Arrival at the Pacific Ocean to dip our wheels

The beginning

We did ride this morning.  Today was the unofficial start of the ride, out to the Pacific Ocean and back.  I joined a group of about 15 riders at 10:30AM and we headed out to the coast for the traditional wheel dip in the ocean.  Low 50's with a few brief sprinkles of rain were ideal for a short easy first day.  Actually, today was called "day zero" so I guess the mileage didn't count. Am I really here? After snapping some pictures we headed back to the hotel with a stop at Fort Clatsop.  This is where Louis and Clark spent their second winter on their three year expedition.  The fort was not very large, more like a barracks than a fort, and conditions must have been tight for the men. At least the local Indians were friendly here.

Joe at Fort Clatsop

There are 54 riders and a staff of six on the ride.  Riders are from every part of the country plus Toronto, Switzerland, Scotland, and Hong Kong.  47 riders are going to the Atlantic and the other seven are just doing a section or two.  Later, we will pick up other riders doing latter sections.  Some of these section riders are completing the whole coast to coast ride over several years.  That is perseverance.

Tomorrow we head east, 69 miles to St. Helens.

Astoria

After a nice flight from Atlanta to Portland, and a two and a half hour bus trip from Union Station to Astoria, I'm at the start of the ride in Astoria.

The train and bus station in Portland

Registration and bike assembly is today, followed by a meet and greet, orientation, and dinner. Then, the ride starts tomorrow. Temperatures in the low 50's and rain today; a little bit different from what I am accustomed to in north Georgia. Never the less, I'm looking forward to meeting the other riders and getting my bike put back together today so I can start riding east.

The bridge from Astoria to the State of Washington

Bicycle Ride Across Georgia

I just got back from a nice week long ride with my friends Gary, Harold, and Bill. This year's BRAG ride was a loop from Fayetteville down to Columbus and back. Seven days, 506 humid miles, and 24,000 feet of climbing, including Wednesday's century ride and all of the extra hammerhead options. I only see Harold and Gary one week per year for BRAG, but we pick up right where we left off the prior year. I appreciate them putting up with me for the week.

This was a good final tuneup for the cross country ride, both for me and the bike. The bike is ready to go after the overhaul by Dan at Free-Flite.  Tomorrow it will be dropped off at FedEx in Jasper after being boxed up at the bike shop. Then, I have an early morning flight to PDX on Saturday. I felt great during each day's ride this week, even towards the end of Tuesday's 82 miles and Wednesday's 104 miles.

I did meet someone on BRAG who did the cross country ride with ABB two years ago and got some good pointers from him. So all that remains is to pack my bag and laptop and fly out west where, hopefully, my bike will be waiting. Next post should be from Astoria.