On Sunday morning we woke up to a chilly 36 degrees! I put on all my warm clothes including my booties! It was going to be an 80 mile day with three peaks to climb. a triple bypass. Some of our group were developing colds or had some injuries or were just too tired and decided to take the day off. They would ride in the van to the next place. I was tired and my left knee was getting sore but I decided to press on. It turned out to be the best day yet! We headed out of our hotel with warm cookies from our hostess onto Hwy 7 again. It was cold and we had thirteen miles of flat riding to warm up our legs before doing any climbing. We followed the Powder River which was small but moved very quickly with a lot of rapids. At mile thirteen we had a three mile climb of 2% followed by a one mile steeper climb. By the time w
e came to the foot of the first pass it was time to remove the jacket and warm gloves. The climb to our first pass, Sumpter Pass, started at mile 26 and we came to the summit at mile 30. The pass is at 5,082' . We were in beautiful evergreen forests. All the people who didn't ride today were at the summit with the van to cheer us onward and to pick up anyone who had had enough climbing for the day. Anne and I headed down the 5-7 mile descent at 5-6%. Anne is a very good descender and has to wait for me at the bottom, but I am getting better. My eyes were tearing so much from the cool air that I couldn't look at my speedometer anyways! At mile 38 we started our climb to the second summit called Tipton, 5,124'. We reached the summit at mile 43.7. This one wasn't as steep as the first. Another descent and we turned onto Hwy 26. All the roads were good and the traffic was light. At mile 51 we stopped for lunch at a Cafe. I had the grilled cheese and tomato and ice tea. Then with all my warm clothing off and safely stowed in the sag wagon, we were ready for summit #3, Dixie Mountain Pass - 5,277' The van picked up the last person who decided that a bypass was enough for her today. This was a longer but more gradual climb then the other two and we reached the summit at mile 57.8. Absolutely breath taking scenery as we descended almost ten miles into the tiny Town of Prairie City. Another thirteen miles and some pesky headwinds and we were in John Day. The temperature was now 86 degrees! Our chef prepared us corn crumb encrusted catfish, mac and cheese, salad, and marinated cucumbers. My roommate for two days is Kaye from California. She is one of the ladies who hosted us in McCall for our day off at the lake. stats: 4130' of climbing today!, 81.61miles, 6hrs 33min., fastest speed 30.9,, avg.12.4. We only have ten riding days left! The picture of the three ladies: Elizabeth, Anne, and me at the first summit.
e came to the foot of the first pass it was time to remove the jacket and warm gloves. The climb to our first pass, Sumpter Pass, started at mile 26 and we came to the summit at mile 30. The pass is at 5,082' . We were in beautiful evergreen forests. All the people who didn't ride today were at the summit with the van to cheer us onward and to pick up anyone who had had enough climbing for the day. Anne and I headed down the 5-7 mile descent at 5-6%. Anne is a very good descender and has to wait for me at the bottom, but I am getting better. My eyes were tearing so much from the cool air that I couldn't look at my speedometer anyways! At mile 38 we started our climb to the second summit called Tipton, 5,124'. We reached the summit at mile 43.7. This one wasn't as steep as the first. Another descent and we turned onto Hwy 26. All the roads were good and the traffic was light. At mile 51 we stopped for lunch at a Cafe. I had the grilled cheese and tomato and ice tea. Then with all my warm clothing off and safely stowed in the sag wagon, we were ready for summit #3, Dixie Mountain Pass - 5,277' The van picked up the last person who decided that a bypass was enough for her today. This was a longer but more gradual climb then the other two and we reached the summit at mile 57.8. Absolutely breath taking scenery as we descended almost ten miles into the tiny Town of Prairie City. Another thirteen miles and some pesky headwinds and we were in John Day. The temperature was now 86 degrees! Our chef prepared us corn crumb encrusted catfish, mac and cheese, salad, and marinated cucumbers. My roommate for two days is Kaye from California. She is one of the ladies who hosted us in McCall for our day off at the lake. stats: 4130' of climbing today!, 81.61miles, 6hrs 33min., fastest speed 30.9,, avg.12.4. We only have ten riding days left! The picture of the three ladies: Elizabeth, Anne, and me at the first summit.
Kathie, you're awesome! I cann't imagine that you would climb into the broom wagon just because it was too cold or you too tired or having an achy knee. No way! I remember when Milan did his first Triple Bypass (in Colorado), he reached the clouds. It was so wonderful. It must have been the same for you. To do this in a little over six hours, on that distance and with all that climbing, you really kicked butt! I'm not surprised that this was the best ride yet! Milan and I spent the last two days marking the Highlander route. It was hot and muggy, but so beautiful out there! Now I'm drooling reading about your mac and cheese and marinated cucumbers...
ReplyDeleteWow, that's Highlander class climbing. And the scenes at the top of those hills looks pristine. It must be so rewarding to finish this challenging day with three major climbs. And like Dana said, I know you too well to think you would take the SAG wagon home! love, Ken
ReplyDeleteThanks Dana and Ken for all the confidence in my climbing abilities. I am looking forward to the Bristol Hills and home again. This is beautiful country out here but you can't beat the view in upstate New York!
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