Category: Touring

Getting to the coast on busy roads. The traffic is nuts around here, fast and constant. In Rose Lodge I got off the main road and onto the old scenic highway route 101. Riding here through the Oregon forest with no cars, just nature and the chorus of birds.

Out into the traffic again and on the coast.

Sand Lake is a small, peaceful and friendly place. After some food and drink at the only store, I continued riding to Tillamook. I opted to take the original route that was updated with a warning of steep gravel and dangerous road conditions. I’m glad I did, the views were worth the risk.

At Tillamook I was back in traffic to get the the campsite with Nancy.

This morning as I was getting ready to ride I was notified that my longtime friend and riding companion of many brevets, BMB, QuadZilla, 24hr time trials, and zillions of fun riding miles lost his battle with cancer. July 14, 2022, Ray left this world on the day I was climbing McKenzie Pass. I didn’t know this as I climbed but while I gained elevation I was thinking of him and all the fun we had climbing as we rode our bikes up and over hill after hill.

The hollow sadness I felt when I rode off into the cool morning was warmed by those special times we shared. He was in my thoughts as he left this world. Thank you buddy for climbing one more hill with me.

In memory of Ray Fortman.

Yesterday was a fun rest day, we took a river rafting tour on the McKenzie River.

( Photos to follow )

Today is the start of the last 263 miles to Astoria, the end of my west bound tour. I leave at 8 AM for a 68 mile day ending in Harrisburg, OR. All the Passes and major climbing is behind me. Ahead is rolling countryside with fields of wheat.

The day went by quickly as I soft pedaled in the large chainring. I ended the day at 3 PM at the Life Northwest RV and Lodging.

After saying good bye to the cyclists and hikers in Sisters I cooked oatmeal with strawberries for breakfast. I was relaxing into the short day, 45 miles to McKenzie Bridge to Nancy’s campsite.

McKenzie Pass is 18 miles away, a climb that will take three hours to the summit. I met up with two cyclists that were riding to the top and then back down again to Sisters, Colin and Dave.

The long climb on a narrow road has many views of the Three Sister Mountain and a glimps of Mt Hood in the distance.

Close to the top I reach the Lava Fields with the look and feel of being on the moon.

At the summit I meet a couple on vacation that offer me water and dried oranges and meat strips for my journey. High fives and fist dumps are exchanged. They are now following my tour on this blog. I also stopped here to explore the trails and to climb the observation tower to see the Belknap Crater that erupted to form this area.

The long and winding drop off this mountain led me into the forests of Oregon, tall trees and many shades of green.

Reaching the town of McKenzie Bridge I stopped at Obsidian Bar and Grill just before reaching the Campground. After settling in Nancy and I go back to the the bar and grill for dinner. We meet a nice couple, he is hiking the Pacific Crest Trail and she is meetin up with him every week or so. We have a lot in common.

At 5 AM I heard an alarm. Mark, Corey, and John were getting ready to start their day. Last night they decided to go off route after Prineville and head to Redmond for the night. I stayed in bed until 6 while they prepped for the day. I went into the kitchen as they were finishing to make my breakfast, eggs and toast. Mark came back to wish me a safe journey and that he hoped we’d meet up again.

The ride began with coasting to the base of Ochoco Pass. The temperature was 79° as I headed up the pass.

An hour later as I crested the summit it was 90°, the early start kept me fresh and after miles of coasting into Prineville I was ready to continue in the near 100° heat.

The next 40 miles to Sister was rolling with wonderful mountain views. I began seeing Mt Hood in the distance.

I am sleeping tonight in Creekside Park in Sisters, Oregon with a small group riding the TransAmerica east. We shared some food and stories before going into our tents.

I rode off at 8AM to get to tonight’s sleep stop in Mitchell, OR. at the Spoke’n Hostel 63 miles over the Keyes Creek Pass.

Dayville is the next small town I’ll get to and the only place for food and drink before Mitchell. The surprise of today, the road is being chip sealed for the next three miles. Gatorade and ice cream will help me get there and sitting on a bench in the shade is a plus.

Refueled I head up the road to the construction site and ride over loose stone over tar.

The climb out of the gorge is shade less and my Wahoo is showing 115°.

Keyes Creek is long and doesn’t seem to end.

Finally I reach the top and drop like a stone into Mitchell at 3:00. I pull up to the grocery store for Gaterade and ice cream before riding to the hostel a half mile up the road.

Spoke’n Hostel is set up with bunk beds, an area to relax, a kitchen, bathrooms, and showers. Mark, Corey, and John are here and also traveling west.

Dinner tonight is a burger, sweet potato fries and a lovely IPA at the Tiger Town Brewing Co.

A long day is ahead with 69 miles and three passes to get over. Dixie Pass will be the end of today’s climbing.

Prairie City will be at the end of the long drop off the mountain.

After Prairie City is John Day, an old prospecting town. I stop for a cold Dr. Pepper to help finish the last 8 mile to Clyde Holliday State Park. Nancy has set up camp here for a few days.

Today is going to be a long day of riding and a long stop in Baker City to get a prescription transferred. Before leaving I walked over to Sara’s Richland Cafe for a hearty breakfast. Four pieces of French toast, two eggs with four super large strips of bacon, a large OJ and a bottomless cup of coffee seem appropriate.

The ride out of town was up hill most of the way to Baker City.

The last ten miles into the city are downhill. This is where I exit Hells Canyon and begin to see green and trees along with cooler temperatures.

I was delayed this morning after discovering a slow leak in my front tire. I pulled a piece of glass from the tread and I needed to plug the cut. Nancy is also ready and anxious to get going to her next campground, a non reservation first come site, because it is Friday.

The long drop off the mountain was a fun ride with beautiful views.

Now at the bottom of the dam I cross over the Snake River and enter Oregon.

Crossing into Oregon, I enter Hell’s Canyon and in the heat, 103° and climbing my way up and out. My plan had been to sleep in Baker City but I underestimated the miles.

Dropping off the pass I met a cyclist touring east, we stopped to visit.

I stopped for the day in Richland, OR. with a 53 mile day. Baker City is another 40 miles and I will get there tomorrow. Tonight I am in an air conditioned hotel room hiding from the heat. This small town also has a great cafe, Sara’s Richland Cafe, that serves dinner.

I woke at 6:30 from a good night‘s sleep at David’s house. Once I got my gear pack and on my bike I walked acroos the street for breakfast. Cy and Kathryn had invited me to have a pancake and egg breakfast, their Thursday special. Then back to across the street to thank David before heading to Brownlee Campground to Nancy’s site.

It was a short 18 mile day so no reason to hurry. Nancy and dogs were off hiking so I rested in the shade, the morning was hot.

Later in the afternoon I looked over my bike and saw that the rear tire is beginning to show wear. I put on a new tire and set the bead using the front tire as an air tank. I made a device to connect the two tires and then pump the mounted tire to the one that needs to have the bead set. Then I open the shutoff so the air from the full tire rushes into the other tire to set the bead.

One of the first things I did upon arrival was to put some drinks into the cold flowing water of the brook running next to our site.