Day 5 -- We scoff at hills...well sort of.

June 25, 2004

ROUTE: Prineville to John Day OR            
DISTANCE:  116 hilly miles        
WINDS: Light from behind all day until the last 8 miles for the late riders.  A cooler wind off a thunderstorm was in our face at about 15...UGH.

WEATHER: Cool in the morning, hot in the afternoon.              
TERRAIN: 2 big climbs and rolling in between.  Fabulous descent through a beautiful canyon (gorge).  
TOTAL CLIMBING: 5500 ft

RIDE OVERVIEW: Early get up today since we had lots of miles to ride.  Everyone woke this morning with a feeling of uncertainty about their ability to finish the toughest day we have on our schedule.  The distance is over 117 miles and we have over 5000 feet of climbing.  The only thing easy today was the navigation...turn left out of the motel and ride 117 miles and turn into the motel. Somehow I could tell it on their faces that fact didn't seem to give them much comfort as they sat around breakfast.  I tried to assure them that it was doable and if they needed anything out there, we'd be there.

We loaded the luggage at 5:15 and set up breakfast at 5:30 to beat the heat...at departure it was pretty chilly, but it didn't take long for the sun to start warming things up and when we got to the climb just past Mitchell, it was really toasty.  A couple of riders even skipped breakfast with us to get an earlier start which put a little stress on our support, but the team responded with great aplomb.  I was sweep today so I was in the mindset for a long day in the saddle...I wasn't wrong as it was after 6 when I finally got to the motel.  We release the sweep at the last SAG stop to let the vans work the final miles, but by the time we got to that SAG, I wasn't sure if I had much left to push the pace to get in as soon as possible.

There were so many beautiful vistas today.  After the first climb, we traveled through some magnificent Ponderosa Pine forests and saw several deer and other wildlife sneaking through the brush.  The views made you feel like you should see Ben, Little Joe, Hoss, and Adam Cartwright coming across the meadow 4 abreast on their trusty steeds, but alas, all I could see were these two cowboys taking their herds to the upper pasture.

The town of Mitchell at mile 45 was a neat little spot in the road on highway 26 East just before the ascent to Keyes Summit.  It's one of the few spots on the road today where you could get food...I guess it was 1 of only 2 such places we passed today.   I knew right away that Mitchell was a tiny town when I saw the local Laundromat which also serves as the welcome center...and you can get your pet supplies there too...what a novel idea?  Probably everyone in town stops by every week to do laundry and the fact that those passing through could also do laundry while learning about the hot spots in Mitchell just makes it all the more special.  Hey there's no end to the excitement in this small town of about 25 buildings.  There was also a live black bear in a pen but I couldn't get a good picture since he was sleeping.  Hey, I wasn't going to poke him just for a photo...it was a BIG bear.  Kind of wanted to let him out so he could go up in the hills where he belonged.

Just out of Mitchell, we encountered a 6-mile climb to Keyes Summit at 4369'.  This climb was a good one that rose above several grass pastures resembling a golf course in the desert.  Areas that are not watered here are brown but any place they can get water is always a deep green with either hay or grazing horses.  After going over the summit, the riders enjoyed a beautiful 25 mile downhill with a tailwind...it just doesn't get any better than that.  Along with the great conditions we definitely experienced sensory overload as the landscape was beyond description.  They descended into a canyon that was just breathtaking...it's hard to believe something could be so beautiful...all right, I've beaten that horse to a pulp, but I don't know how else to say it.

I must say that Oregon is one of the most beautiful states that I've ever been in.  It has a most varied geography: Pine mountains, high desert, fertile high prairies, a beautiful coastline, and some of the most beautiful natural topography I've ever seen.  The land is so fertile on these high plains that almost anything will grow up here.  Today, we came across a Nike tree.  I stopped Karen and she was in awe.  It's the first time I'd ever seen one up close and they are really quite interesting...they look like a pine tree strangely enough.  The Nike shoe company harvests the fruit for their new styles every year and I'm sure they will have a good harvest next year.  In some areas of the country they are Adidas trees; in other parts of the country, they are New Balance trees...I just happened to have my camera with me so I got a good shot of one...see any styles you like?

At our third SAG at 85 miles, we set up at the Dayville Mercantile.  The proprietor, Steve Cookinham, was a participant on the Odyssey 2000 around the world bicycle trip so they were definitely "bicycle friendly."  The store was something out of a travel magazine, and I imagine if you couldn't find what you were looking for, you probably really don't need it.  You can get a saddle for your horse or tires for your bike...what a deal!  Check out their web site for some good deals and some bike stuff too.

Everyone should be proud of their accomplishments today.  The last rider got in at 7:30...it was definitely a long, tough day, and they all came through with flying colors.  We had a couple of people who opted to ride in the van for a portion of the ride...they have my utmost admiration for recognizing their limits...sometimes that's harder to do than to try to ride it out and get into trouble.  We even had a couple of people who had never ridden a century before...CONGRATULATIONS!!! 

Well, tomorrow's another tough day with 3 summits to cross.  So I need to sign off for now.  See you again tomorrow when I get to ride again...no rest for the hired help.  As I say to my non-cycling friends, "Your worst day cycling is better than your best day at work."  Although this is work, it still is cycling!  See you tomorrow. 

HEARD ON THE ROAD TODAY:
"Who's this John Day character anyway?" [Tune in tomorrow to find out.]

DUH! OF THE DAY:  

• Yesterday at the SAG, Judith was trying to identify all the tracks around the SAG area.  She was asking everyone if they recognized any of them...were they cougar?  Were they deer?  Were they coyote?  Then someone popped her bubble and said they were tracks made by Sidi mountain bike shoes and Shimano road shoes that all the riders were wearing.  I think Judith probably didn't get her outdoors merit badge when she was in the Brownies.
• Robert qualified for a Duh too...seems when he got to the top of the climb at Keyes Summit, after filling his water bottles, he noticed he was missing his wallet.  He thought he'd left it at the café before the climb.  Several calls by cell phone failed to alert me at the bottom of the climb that he was missing his wallet.  What to do... Good old Josh went around to close up the van and drive to the bottom to retrieve the wallet when he discovered it lying by the water jug...now how did it get there????  Could it be "SATAN?"
• PS:  For those who are following Lynn...she is back on her bike and doing well.  She's a toughie.

PHOTOS OF THE DAY:

Gerard's wife would be proud...he can do laundry. 
At least he's carrying it for someone.  Not sure
he actually added the soap and turned the dial.

Bill's swaying toward something a little lighter than what
he's riding...but I'm not sure where he'd put his trunk and rotating
light if he rode out on this high wheeler.

Most conversations on a bike ride are about bottom brackets,
frame materials, or the best tires to buy...but not if you are
sitting close to James our Botanist.  If it grows out here,
he knows what it is.  At least he has a Lance shirt on.

Ted spent several minutes contemplating changing his saddle out
for the one on the wagon...yippee ki yi ay!

Maybe I didn't understand the concept.

In the small town of Mitchell, you've got your restrooms and showers...
plus you can do your laundry while getting  information about
the local area.  What I'd call a multi-use facility.