Off Day in Boise

Tuesday June 28th, off day in Boise, ID

After breakfast I took a short bike ride to Boise State University.  I wanted to see the "Smurf Turf", the famous blue football field at the stadium.  BSU is a large university on the opposite side of the river across from downtown.  The large stadium is bowled but I found an unattended open gate and somehow sneaked on to the end zone turf.  I had just snapped a couple of photos before being approached by someone from the football staff and being asked to cease and desist.  Oh well, mission accomplished.

Speaking of accomplishments, I also got laundry done (no small feat in a four story hotel with exactly one guest washing machine), cleaned my bike, bought and changed the cleats on my cycling shoes, and updated the blog.  I spent the afternoon inside the hotel as temps approached 100 degrees again.

The Blue Turf at Boise State U's football stadium (before being asked to leave)

The State Capital of Idaho in the background on Capital Street

IDAHO

First state crossing

Monday June 27th, Ontario OR to Boise ID, 64 miles, 1700 feet of climbing

We left the hotel and within only a half mile reached the Idaho state line and said goodbye to spectacular Oregon.  The route today was more or less back roads to Boise with mostly agricultural backdrops.  The final 20 miles were suburban, quite nice Boise neighborhoods.  Fortunately it was a relatively short ride as the temperatures quickly rose- Boise hit 100 degrees in the late afternoon.

Most riders stopped at the local bike shop (George's) for various supplies or mechanical fixes.  We are staying at a Courtyard Marriott close to downtown and will be having an off day tomorrow.  We had a nice catered BBQ dinner on the hotel premises.

West of Boise

Ontario, OR

Sunday June 26th, Baker City OR to Ontario, OR, 83 miles, 2,100 feet of climbing

After a couple of tough mountain days it was nice to have a day without so much climbing. However, that advantage was somewhat offset by the increased heat (which evidently will be with us for some time).   We rode for the first time on the Interstate (I-84 east).  It is legal to cycle on an Interstate highway provided there are no other practical alternatives.   After exiting the interstate there was one very steep climb at about  the 46 mile mark coming out of the small town of Huntington, OR.  The land is turning more agricultural in its nature.  We saw onions, corn, and wheat among the crops. A few onions had spilled out among the shoulder of the road and appeared fresh.  I peeled one back and took a bite- warm, juicy, and not bad at all.

At around the 60 mile mark we entered the Mountain time zone.  I was not aware that parts of western Oregon were in the MT time zone.  Ontario is a small town literally on the Idaho border. Almost all the riders stopped at the local DQ for lunch before the hotel.

Outside Baker City

Our first SAG stop at a rest area on I-84 East

At first SAG

Baker City

Saturday June 25th, John Day OR to Baker City OR, 81 miles, 5,075 feet of climbing

Today was another tough day with three different mountain climbs/descents.  The wind was also somewhat against us for the first time ( you can't be lucky forever).  On the ascents, for 5-8 miles long climbs we average  only 6-7 mph, followed by descents where we average 25-30 mph for several miles.  As such we spent about 80% of the time climbing (just the way the math works out). But wow, are the descents thrilling (and well earned).  The scenery was varied and included some pine forests.

At the summit of the third mountain we met a Brit on bicycle, self-supported,  travelling the other way.  He started in Yorktown VA and was ending in San Francisco.  I kidded him how the Battle of Yorktown turned out.  He artfully reminded me that we had the help of the French and that they (UK) had taken care of "them" yesterday (referring to the UK's vote to exit the EU).  A funny retort.

Baker City is a active, hip type small town of about 10,000 in Western OR.  By pure luck the city was hosting a cycling race event featuring a number of events for top regional cyclists.  I stopped and watched one of the events on my way to the hotel.

Clowning around pulling the Conestoga wagon a few miles east of John Day

Darin from Fort Worth TX (right) with The Creamcycle and me with the Orange Crush

Bike Race in downtown Baker City

It's 117 miles to John Day

Friday June 24th, Prineville OR to John Day OR, 117 miles, 6100 feet of climbing

We started the day intimidated by the thought of  a 117 miles ride with over 6,000 feet of climbs.  However, although it turned out to be a tough day we were very fortunate with moderate temperatures and generally a tailwind (I was able to average 15.7 mph for the ride).  Most of the climbing was completed during two major mountain passes in the first 50 miles, followed by long descents.  The temps were as low as the mid-40s at the summits and never exceeded 70 degrees.  The scenery was spectacular.  I never get tired of the views.   A long day but rewarding.

John Day is a small town of about 2,000.  It is named for one of the members of the Astor Expedition which I spoke of in my earlier post while in Astoria.

Central Oregon

Thursday June 23rd, Kah-nee-ta OR to Prineville, OR, 60 miles, 3500 feet of climbing

Today's route took us on a mostly southern route to Central Oregon.  Again weather conditions were near ideal with partly sunny and temps in the 60s (knock wood we can keep this streak going).  After leaving the hotel we had a climb,  followed by another long and exhilarating descent.  The toughest climb of the day followed, a four miler with about 2000 feet of climb.  At the summit were able to look back to a spectacular view.

The final 25 miles showed more irrigated agricultural farms as opposed to low density ranching.  We are staying in Prineville, a town of about 9,000.

Oregon the Diverse

Wednesday June 22nd, Welches OR to Kah-nee-ta, OR, 66 miles, 5,150 feet of climbing

Today was a tough but satisfying, in some ways amazing, day.  Once again with great weather we left the hotel.  We actually cycled to a restaurant for breakfast and left directly from there.  Immediately we began an unrelenting 13 mile climb to the first SAG stop- not super steep but no let-up at all, which taxes the leg muscles as they have no real recovery opportunity.  Along the way we had some closer views of Mt. Hood.  The many varying views of Mt. Hood are tough to beat.

After the first SAG we had a big descent followed by some more climbing and then more descending. The topography dramatically and unexpectedly changed from deep forest to open high desert scrub.  Essentially it felt like we began in Oregon, skirted Alaska with its snow packed glaciers, and ended in the  hot desert in New Mexico.  Definitely not the Oregon I was expecting- at least not so soon.  After the second SAG some other major Oregon mountains came into view, most prominently Mt. Jefferson.  After one last tough climb we had a truly spectacular fast and long, harrowing, descent into Kah-nee-ta.  Kah-nee-ta is a small resort town on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, We are staying at the Kah-nee-ta Resort, a large hotel property.  I arrive early enough to enjoy their outdoor pool.  We had a nice buffet dinner at the hotel this evening.

Climbing towards Mt Hood from the West side

Riding away from the east side of Mt. Hood

Mount Hood

Tuesday June 21st, St Helens OR to Welches OR, 75 miles, climbing 3,150 feet

We headed out of St. Helens going East on US Rt 30 for the first 20 miles.  Rt 30 is a busy highway with suburban commuting traffic to Portland.  It wasn't a particularly fun opening segment. However, the weather was excellent with sun or partly sunny and moderate temps, a great day for cycling.  After exiting Rt 30 we meandered through one of the many Portland bike trails.  This one stayed close to the Columbia River and also went by the airport.  We got to see a number of houseboats on both the Oregon and the Washington side of the Columbia.

The climbing started after the 2nd SAG as we moved inland.  As we climbed near the town of Sandy we were rewarded with our first glimpses of Mount Hood, Oregon's highest mountain.  Truly spectacular.  In Sandy we refueled with a smoothie at Dairy Queen before climbing the last 17 miles into Welches.  We stayed the evening at "Resort at the Mountain " a very nice sprawling resort hotel.  We were advise to not get too used to its comforts.  We shuttled to dinner at a local restaurant.

House boats on the Columbia River

Mount Hood from outside of Sandy, OR

And We're Off!

Monday June 20th, Astoria OR to St. Helens, OR, 69 miles, 3400 feet of climbing.

Our first "real" day.  After breakfast we assembled for a group picture and then were let loose. Finally, after all the training, organizing, and waiting,  it is such a relief to take the first pedal strokes. Today turned out to be great day for the directional challenged- exit hotel, turn left on to US Rt 30 East and proceed 69 miles to your destination.

The weather was beautiful and the terrain moderate with a couple of long climbs.  Rt 30 is a two lane busy highway with a lot of logging trucks (occasionally scary to ride beside).  However it does in most places have a wide shoulder.  The route was ESE and more or less follows the general direction of the Columbia River.  We were able to have a few glances at Mount St. Helens, which famously erupted in 1980.  It's profile from miles away clearly shows an asymmetrical crater.  What power must have been expelled.  I was able to finish relatively early and got to enjoy a burger at the aptly named Burgerville.  St. Helens is a town of about 12,000 and is about 30 miles from Portland.  We are staying at a Best Western.

America By Bicycle, Across America North tour participants 2016

Taken on Rt 30 entering Ranier OR, on the Columbia.  Mount St. Helens is in the background (mid-right).

Pacific Ocean

Sunday June 19th, Astoria OR to Pacific Ocean (and return), 29 miles.

First riding day.  A short jaunt this morning from the hotel to the Pacific Ocean at Fort Stevens State Park and back, a round trip of 29 miles. At the Ocean I dipped my tire into the Pacific. The day was beautiful with sunny skies and temperature in the 60s.  The ride was scenic and largely rural, pretty much the polar opposite of my ocean dip in Los Angeles last year.  On the way out I saw several young elk by the shoulder of the road.  I initially thought they were deer but when they failed to scatter as I approached realized they were elk.

The formal tour orientation was held this afternoon followed by our first tour dinner together.  We have approximately 40 riders including three from Australia, and other riders from Germany, Israel, The Netherlands, UK, and Canada.  I looking forward to getting to know what seems to be a diverse group of people.

Pacific Ocean at Fort Stevens State Park, Oregon

Hanging in Astoria

Saturday June 18th, Astoria, Oregon

Today was basically an acclimation day.  I spent the morning walking around town with fellow rider Jim.  Specifically we wanted to find the location of the original fort of the Astoria Expedition .  The "restoration"  up on a hill overlooking the Columbia River was pretty modest.  Most of the true footprint of the original settlement has been long since developed.  Nevertheless, it is an interesting story and afforded nice views of the city and River.

In the afternoon we had "registration" which primarily was a primer of bit of dos and dont's followed by having my bike reassembled.  That went thankfully smoothly.  The highlight was meeting Darin from Texas who has my exact Trek Domane bike model in its distinctive orange and black paint .  We both had a good laugh as it is the first time either of us have seen another rider with the same scheme. I told him I had previously been labelled "Orange Crush" whereas his moniker is evidently the Creamcycle.

Fort Astoria

Bridge spanning Columbia River from Astoria OR to Washington State

Oregon Bound

Friday June 17, Baltimore to Astoria, OR

Kari dropped me off at BWI this morning for a noon departure to Portland.  Fortunately I was able to enjoy a non-eventful flight.  In Portland I was met by my friend Jim from Mass, who was on the cross country tour with me last year.  He had rented a car and we drove the remaining hour or two to Astoria where the bike tour begins on Sunday.

I learned a little about Astoria from a recent book I read.  Evidently Astoria was essentially a failed Jamestown.  Shortly after the Lewis and Clark Expedition,  Thomas Jefferson and financier John Astoria schemed an expedition to settle the Pacific Northwest and make sure it would be under US influence (and provide profits for John Astoria's global trade empire).  The idea was to send one group by ship around the tip of S. America and another group across overland .  The results were a catastrophic disaster due to a myriad of reasons- disease, starvation, Indian attacks, fighting within the ranks.  Mostly all died and the settlement was abandoned.  Hopefully tomorrow I can get a chance to take a look at the original fort location.

The cycling tour participants and staff are staying at a Holiday Inn which banks the Columbia River and overlooks the bridge that spans into Washington State.  I am enjoying quite a scenic view from my room window.

Packed and ready at BWI

"What Next?"

Quite possibly the first two words out of mouth after finishing my 2015 cross-country cycling trip from Los Angeles to Boston  were "never again".   That certainly was what I was thinking after finishing my fifty day, 3,400 mile adventure.  The effort, time, expense  (did I mention effort?) of training and then completing the ride taxed my physical (and to a lesser degree) mental capabilities to the maximum.

Apparently that mindset lasted all of a month.  Funny how all my memories quickly turned only to the beautiful, unique and diverse sights, the great camaraderie among my fellow cyclists, and that euphoric feeling when the conditions and scenery were at their optimum.  "Never again" quickly changed to "What Next?".

"What Next? " has turned out to be a 22 day (20 cycling days with 2 rest days) cycling trip from Astoria, Oregon to Rapid City, South Dakota.  The trip, which begins on Sunday June 19th,  will cover 1,632 miles or about half the distance and number of days of my 2015 trip.   The ride is administered by America By Bicycle and it is actually part of their Across America North trip that ultimately ends in New Hampshire http://americabybicycle.com/aan-short .   Because of work commitments, expense, and fairness to my family, it makes sense to bail out in South Dakota. Even then I am asking (again) a lot of Kari.

Although a different touring company, the format is quite similar to last year's ride with Crossroads Cycling Adventures.  Motel to motel, about 80-85 miles of riding a day.  My job again will be to ride, eat, sleep, repeat.

I have been training for some time but the spring has been unusually wet here in Maryland.  Seeing sunshine has been a kind of sad joke around these parts of late- quickly disappearing only to be replaced by four or five days of more rain and clouds.  So although I'm finally starting to get some good road work in, there have been far too many hours on the dreadful indoor trainer in the basement (essentially hooking the bicycle to a  resistance machine and pedaling in place until I can't stand it anymore) . Nevertheless I feel my fitness level is close to where I need to be and in about  two weeks will be flying west (regardless).

At Sandy Point State Park near Annapolis, my longest training ride , 86 miles.