Day 64 - 080309 Finish Line!

Junction City, OR to Florence, OR - 65.77 miles - Trip Grand Total: 4343.77 miles






It was tough to leave the campsite this morning as it would be our last as a group. I was excited to finish and accomplish our goal but sad at the same time. Finishing will be bittersweet. Don's diner once again whipped up a delicious banana and chocolate chip pancake feast. This part of Oregon is beautiful but surprisingly cold for this time of year. Our first stop was at the Deadwood County Market in Deadwood, OR. They were unfortunately out of Umpqua chocolate milk so of course I went with a root beer. The majority of us rode as a group. Kevin and Chris however left a bit before us as Kevin's rear wheel was in pretty bad shape and he was in for a tough last ride. Our second stop was at Randy's Riverview Market in Mapleton, OR to meet up and prepare for our final 14 miles into Florence. As we rode in on 126 I slammed into a road construction cone. Luckily the collision didn't cause a spill but the contents of my handlebar bag did explode out onto the busy roadway. We finally arrived in Florence and headed for the beach for the Pacific Ocean tire dip. Geoff's parents met us at the beach with celebratory champagne and snacks. Thanks again! Most of us were so excited we sprinted into the waves for a skin tingling, breathe taking swim in the cold Oregon ocean. I then rode to the Heceta Mini Mart for some soda as Don and company headed to the store for feast goodies. We played trip trivia and celebrated into the night at the Lane County Parks Harbor Vista Campground on the Siuslaw River.

Day 63 - 080209

McKenzie Bridge, OR to Junction City, OR - 78 miles




Great day for riding and we were excited to visit Eugene, the largest city on our cross country journey. Our first stop today was at the Leaburg Store in Leaburg, OR. I rode with Bret most of today and we stopped to enjoy some of Oregon's famous wild blackberries. Apparently Oregon is the leading blackberry producer in the world! Yummy! We rode into Eugene and stopped to eat at the Steelhead Brewing Co. Leaving Eugene was nice as the city is extremely bike friendly and has a trail system for cyclists. After arriving at the campsite Don Kristen, and I went to the Fern Ridge Market to buy goodies to cook for dinner. We camped for the night at the Lane County Park Richardson Park Campground on the Fern Ridge Lake.

Day 62 - 080109

Sisters, OR to McKenzie Bridge, OR - 61.57 miles





Today we started by climbing to the top of our final pass. We stopped at the summit of the Santiam Pass - elevation 4817ft to celebrate! We exchanged high fives and posed for a few pictures as we would only be declining in elevation for the remainder of our trip. The descent was sweet yet tricky with fallen rocks littering the shoulder. As we turned onto 126 we noticed strange terrain possibly igneous rock. We reached the McKenzie Bridge Willamette National Forest Campground but continued a few miles past to the Rustic Skillet Restaurant for some food. We returned to the campsite which was on the McKenzie River and a few of us enjoyed a very very cold but refreshing swim.

Day 61 - 073109

Ochoco Pass to Sisters, OR - 72.15 miles - Trip Total: 4138.43 miles



Don's Diner came to the breakfast rescue again this morning with grilled egg and cheese sandwiches! Pretty nice ride today with mostly flat terrain. Our first stop was at the Cross Street Shell in Prineville, OR. Our second stop was at the Dairy Queen in Redmond, OR. I rode the last leg of the day with Don and Kristen and we arrived in Sisters and enjoyed some pizza at Martollis Pizza. Sisters is a busy town for a place with a population of 1750. I took advantage of the Sisters Public Library for some internet and blogging. Mason's cousins owns the Three Creeks Brewing Co. so we are having some tasty treats and a few delicious drinks. We camped for the night at the Sisters Overnight City Park.

Day 60 - 073009

Mt. Vernon, OR to Ochoco Divide Campground at Ochoco Pass - 80.9 miles



I started the morning by again visiting the Food Mart Chevron. Our first stop today was at the South Fork Mini Market in Dayville, OR. We continued on to the Little Pine Cafe for lunch & the Wheeler County Trading Co for a few groceries in Mitchell, OR. The last stretch of our ride was extremely hot with blistering sunshine as we climbed out of Mitchell - 2795ft up to the top of Ochoco Pass - 4720ft. It was great to reach the top and conclude riding for the day. We enjoyed our campsite for the night, cooking food and sharing conversation. I woke up in the middle of the night to a dark sky filled with more brightly shinning stars than I have ever seen.

Day 59 - 072909

Baker City, OR to Mt. Vernon, OR - 89.92 miles



I started the day with a convenient store breakfast at the Downtown Chevron. Today was great but tough and filled with climbs as we climbed over Sumpter Pass, Tipton Pass, & Dixie Pass - 5082ft, 5124ft, & 5277ft respectively. I was the first to arrive in Prairie City, OR and I headed straight to the Mountain View Mini Mart for a 32 oz Gatorade and a 32 oz Powerade. I then joined the group at Chuck's Little Diner for lunch. During lunch a quick shower past over and we were forced to scramble inside to avoid eating soaked burgers. We continued riding until we reached our destination for the night at the Clyde Holliday State Park near Mt. Vernon, OR. Another nice campsite with showers available and a store just a mile up the road. Geoff and I decided to check out the Food Mart Chevron for a few goodies before returning to camp for the night. At the campsite I met the parents of Bobby Julich (http://www.bobbyjulich.com/) a great American cyclist. Thanks for the autographed card!

Day 58 - 072809 Oregon

Brownlee Dam to Baker City, OR - 82 miles


Great night last night filled with restful sleep and a sky full of stars. Don's diner whipped up another delicious pancake breakfast for the group this morning. Much appreciated Don! We rode over the bridge and across the Snake River into Oregon and instantly Danielle, Kristen, and Amanda simultaneously got flats.




I rode most of the day today with Chris and as we were riding close to Halfway, OR a rancher was herding his cattle down the road ... adding that experience to my list of first times as we proceeded uninterrupted. Our first stop was just after a climb to 3653ft at Shorthorn Bar and Grill in Richland, OR. The riding today was hot and dry with intense baking sunshine. Don and Will met us about 10 miles before we reached our destination and I instantly chugged three full water bottles. We arrived in Baker City and headed straight to the Post Office as I had a package to pick up, Thanks Mom! Next we went to the Dairy Queen for food and endless fountain drinks. I then spent some quality time at the Baker County Library for some blog time. We camped for the night at the Mtn. View Holiday Trav-L-Park. This RV park was hooked up with showers, Wi-Fi, and a spa!

Day 57 - 072709

New Meadows, ID to Brownlee Dam - 75.31 miles

A few of us started the morning with a full breakfast at Granite Mountain Cafe in New Meadows. The riding in the morning was nice with tree shade and a fast pace. A few of us met the trailer for a quick water stop in Council, ID before continuing on to the City Market in Cambridge, ID. After lunch a few of us visited the Hells Canyon Corner Sinclair for some much needed Gatorade.


After lunch we climbed to the top of the Brownlee pass - elevation 4131ft and stopped for some watermelon and a few beverages. I rode the remainder of the day with Don and Kristen to the Brownlee Dam.


We enjoyed a refreshing swim in the Snake River before showering and setting up camp for the night. Camp for the night was in the McCormick Park, one of Idaho Power's Hells Canyon Recreation Facilities just past the Brownlee Dam.

Day 56 - 072609

Grangeville, ID to New Meadows, ID - 89.39 miles

We woke up early as we anticipated a long, hot day. Don prepared yet another delicious pancake breakfast on the Coleman camp stove. Thanks again Don ... we all love Don's Diner. We started the day with a climb to the top of White Bird Hill summit - elevation 4429ft.




The descent was interesting with a multitude of switchbacks that ended in White Bird - elevation 1581ft. Hopefully we made Chief White Bird, who was a respected leader of the Nez Perce tribe, proud today as we climbed hard. Good hill Chief ... good hill! We then enjoyed a beautiful ride through the Salmon River Canyon.



I rode with Mason and Leanna for most of the day and our first stop was at Bert & Kates Cattlemens Restaurant in Riggins, ID. It was super great riding along the Salmon and Little Salmon Rivers all day today! We finished our ride with another climb to New Meadows - elevation 5020ft. I was unbelievably thirsty on arrival and headed to Subway for endless fountain drinks and a foot long sub. We are camping tonight in the Dorsey Warr Memorial Park. The park is great and I threw some Frisbee with Bret and kicked the soccer ball around with Mason. Before settling in for the night a few of us went to the Turning Point A&W for a milkshake, I enjoyed two!

Day 55 - 072509

Lowell, ID to Grangeville, ID - 43 miles

It was great to wake up this morning after a night of rest without interruption. Our first stop today was at the Sunset Mart in Kooskia, ID. Kooskia was a great little town and we were lucky to stumble through during the Kooksia Days festival. The ride after Kooksia was beautiful and involved a 3000ft climb along the Middle Fork Clearwater River and was through the Nez Perce Indian Reservation. We arrived in Grangeville and I enjoyed 64 ounces of Snapple at the Depot Express Conoco. A few of us next went to the Zip Trip for a milkshake and a Taco John's burrito. Bret and I sat at the town park to blog thanks to the Wi-Fi provided by Hannah's Closet & Espresso. Tonight we will be enjoying a spaghetti dinner at the Senior Citizens Center - Grangeville Chamber of Commerce fund raiser which is being held in our honor. Great food and super nice people ... Thanks to Jeff, the Seniors, and the Chamber for the $504 donation. We will be camping at the Lions Club Park.

Day 54 - 072409 Idaho

Lolo Hot Springs to Lowell, ID - 94.4 miles


We woke up this morning to rain, thunder, and lightning. After realizing that the RV Park had showers available I decided to take advantage and start the day off right. The riding today began with a nice climb to the top of Lolo Pass - 5225ft where we welcomed ourselves to Idaho & the Pacific Time Zone! A few of us took advantage of the free hot chocolate and Wi-Fi offered at the Lolo Pass Visitor Center before enjoying the descent.




Our first stop was at the Nine Mile Rest Area along the Lochsa River for some of Don and Will's peach pancakes. Yummy! Thanks guys! Today was long but riding in the mountains and along the Lochsa River was incredibly beautiful. We finally made it to Lowell and stopped at Ryan's Wilderness Inn Cafe for a few milkshakes. Thanks grandma Betty (Kevin's granny) for the milkshakes! The Clearwater National Forest Wild Goose Campground was full so we camped Rambo style on the roadside about 3 miles past Lowell. The poles on my Big Agnes Seedhouse tent broke so Don, Mason, and I went to work on it using Duck Tape, screws, and some serious finesse to get it sorted and set up. Thanks again fellows!

Day 53 - 072309

Missoula, MT to Lolo Hot Springs - 46.2 miles

Thanks again to Sue Gelber for hooking us up with the 3 rooms at the Days Inn last night! There is no substitute for a quality night of rest. We headed over to the Adventure Cycling Association for some ice cream, pictures, interviews ( http://tiny.cc/6RjsA ), and for a tour through the history of American cycling tours. Such an amazing place ... thanks! It was also great to see Ted Bowman - Blacksburg High School class of 99, who works at Adventure Cycling.



Several of us enjoyed monster sandwiches at Worden's Market before leaving Missoula. On the way out of town Danella's tire exploded, sounding like a gunshot. I rode a mile or so back into Missoula to Open Road Bicycles for a new tire but received word that Mason had arrived with the support vehicle and a replacement tire.


The temperature was around 104 so we stopped at the Lolo Super Stop for some water and Gatorade. As we made the turn onto 12 we were bombarded with a headwind and rode uphill for the remainder of the day. A few of us missed the group and rode a few extra miles before returning to camp at the Lolo Hot Springs RV Park. Kevin made some noodles and I added some diced tomatoes for dinner. Thanks Kev-man!