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