August 15, 2010 Looking Back

It's been almost a month since Steve And I finished our cross country ride.Looking back at what we have accomplished I find it hard to believe what we did. I'm still thinking about all we have seen, and all the people we met in this beautiful landscape we call our Country and home.As my life goes on I'll still picture the sites I've seen,and more important the people that put the magic I felt into each and every day.One thing I know for sure is that my live and my feelings about people and places will never be the same....Ted

Thursday, July 22nd, Day 77
Eugene, Oregon

It’s over and very hard to believe that we did 4,200 miles on a bike and we navigated over 200 thousand feet of elevation across the country. The west was incredible with its mountain ranges and we can realize, with accurate and personal experience, the beauty of this country we call home.

Wednesday, July 21st, Day 76
Sisters to Blue River, Oregon

Our last mountain pass is today. And this is our next to last day on the ride. Imagine that.
Our objective is Santiam Pass at an elevation of 4,800 feet. Our hope today is to enjoy as much as possible of the ride we are embarking on. Let me tell you, it was totally enjoyable.
The climb to Santiam Pass was 21 miles that we both jumped on with eager anticipation. When we hit the summit, I think the two of us were relieved. This was the last pass, the last mountain climb, the last cold morning, the last of everything on this ride that started over 4,000 miles ago and also two months ago.
We are headed to Eugene and we both feel it’s all-downhill from here.
It’s hard to relate how powerful we feel.
More after we get to Eugene.

Tuesday, July 20, Day 75
Ochoco Divide to Sisters, Oregon (77 miles)

Today, in essence, was two days. The first three hours, then the rest of the day.
We woke up to 38-degree temps on top of Ochoco Pass. A breakfast from our bike pack certainly wasn’t what would help warm our chilled bodies. We started a 20 mile downhill that resulted in our stopping many times on the way down to warm our hands and faces that were being pelted by the frigid air. It was oh so cold.
In less than two hours, we were 30 miles down the road arriving in Primeville for a very welcome second breakfast. While there, we changed into our shorts and shirts from the warmer clothing that we needed on the road down. The temperatures were rising rapidly into the high eighties and low nineties. We Passed through Redmond and onto Sisters. We are staying in Sisters City Park tonight. A nice hot shower is the order of the day, however, the showers are not functioning at the moment. They’ll be ready tomorrow afternoon while we are on our way to Blue River. Bike Ted.

Monday, July 19, Day 74
Dayville to Ochoco Divide

Today we did two mountain passes, Keyes Creek, 4,350 feet and Ochoco Pass, 4,700 feet. We started from Dayville and passed through “Picture Gorge,’ and John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. This is an area of many fossil finds and is quite beautiful. We traveled through a canyon along the John Day River for about three miles. Then a long climb of about 20 miles to Keyes Creek Pass. Then up and over for a 7-mile downhill trek to the town of Mitchell, population 171 with two cafes and many boarded up buildings. We had a quick lunch then began the next climb, a mere 16-mile uphill trek to Ochoco Pass. This ride was a little on the rough side. When we hit the summit, we found the Forest Service Campsite and tented for the night. A very tired two bikers said good night at 8pm. Bike Ted

Sunday, July 18, Day 73
Austin Junction to Dayville, Oregon (61 miles)

This morning at 5:30am, it was 40 degrees. Steve and I had a “cold” breakfast at tent side. Needless to say, we dressed warmly and were on the road by 6:30. The day began with a climb to Dixie Pass at an elevation of 5,300 feet. It actually turned out to be an easy climb and we were up and over in a little more than an hour. The rest of the ride was downhill into our goal for today, Dayville. Enroute, we passed through Prairie City, John Day, Mount Vernon and finally into Dayville.
The cities and towns in this area of Oregon seem to be very alive and vibrant. It’s a welcome change from other areas of our country that were dismal and dreary. It’s nice to see because it’s making the end of this trip very interesting and colorful.
Bike Ted.

Saturday, July 17, Day 72
Baker City to Austin Junction, Oregon (54 miles)

The ride today required Steve and me to go through two mountain passes, Sumpter Pass at 5,100 feet and Tipton Pass at 5,150 feet above sea level. The two passes were about 14 miles apart. We had to climb, too, when leaving Baker City at 3,500 feet. So, you can see that most of the day was “UP.” We both worked hard this day and were rewarded with an 8 mile downhill on our way into Austin Junction.
We are tenting for the night.
A side note of the day…. I had my 7th flat tire (hope it’s the last) 12 miles outside Austin. Thank God it was the front tire…much easier to change. Till tomorrow. Bike Ted.