Abrupt end to ride!

We were getting ready to start our 10th day of riding about 6 AM today. Ron was making coffee in the hotel. The glass coffee pot broke while he was holding it and cut his right hand. The doctor who examined him found the flexor tendon was severed. He will need the attention of a hand specialist. So no more riding at the present time. He actually feels fine and this will just be a slight bump in the road.

We rented a Tahoe SUV in Boise Idaho and Sharon drove is home with our bikes in the back. We arrived home about 9 o'clock this evening. 

Day 9: Halfway, Oregon to Cambridge Idaho: 58 miles

We got an early start--we were on the road by 6 AM. We had 25 miles x 8 a.m. Then we hit the dreaded Hillclimb and the heat. It took us five hours for another 30 miles. But we are safe in Cambridge Idaho. 

We met a couple of riders going west. We have never seen bicycles loaded more heavily.  They had heavy canvas bags packed with who knows what loaded many upon many. They were older than we are -- surprise surprise. they average about 10 miles per day! For my sister Fran I would say that is fully loaded! 

We were sad when we realized were in the time zone change and it's one hour later. We will miss that one hours sleep tonight. The Brownlee Dam area of the snake River was very beautiful. 

Day 8: Baker city to Halfway Oregon 54 miles

 We were up early today because the forecast was for hot weather. We went from being cold to being hot with no transition. The hotel we stayed in had a restaurant that opened at 6 AM. Breakfast was included and we were given the option of three meals. Worried that the meal would not be enough we also had a short stack of pancakes. Ron left Sharon to pay the bill and gave her money to do so. the total was four dollars since we only had to pay for the pancakes. Sharon told the waitress we did not need any change and gave her the bill that she thought was five dollars. I told Ron to leave one more dollar when he got back but the waitress said we had already given her enough. It was miles later when we realize that it was a $10 bill! We are very generous tippers. We actually had more food than we could eat.

Most of our ride today was in Hells Canyon. It was scenic. We had no towns 44 miles so we had a picnic along the river when our huge breakfast wore off.

The day was not done until we had conquered the hill. It was 4 miles uphill and we could see the switchbacks clearly. It was hot with a headwind at times.  We are very happy to reach the summit and begin our downhill into Halfway, OR.  It was probably 90° when we arrived.  Tomorrow we leave Oregon and enter Idaho.

Day 7: Sumpner to Baker City, Oregon: 30 miles

It was a relatively easy ride into Baker city this morning. There was a little drizzling rain definitely not as cold as yesterday. We took the time for café breakfast before we left. We got  a replacement tire at the bike shop and did laundry. Clean clothes are a special treat! Last time we took a rest day on Baker City and saw the Oregon Trail Interpretive center which is quite impressive.  We decided a 1/2 day rest will do us for now. One of the nice hotels here had a ayce soup lunch that was great--but it is no longer on the menu. We must have eaten too much to make it profitable. We had a very good nacho and salad lunch.  Tomorrow's destination is Halfway, OR.

Day six: John Day to Sumpter Oregon; 58 miles

We knew from experience that today would be a hard day. We had three mountain passes over 5000 feet to cross. Each one was 6 to 9 miles up. The first Dixie pass was the hardest. The downhill is usually the best part but today it was frigid. Our saving grace was the Austin Junction Café was open. It is usually closed on Tuesdays but the owner had nothing else going on and so had it 

open for a few hours. We were able to warm-up have hot tomato soup hot coffee and buy some dry gloves. I told the owner she was an angel! We traveled this route two years ago so we knew what we were getting into. Tomorrow we have a short day under 30 miles to Baker city.

Another highlight was finding a breakfast place that served Dave's bread.

Day five: Mitchell to John Day Oregon 70 miles

We started the day with a Costco muffin and banana before our ride today. The first 6 miles were a significant climb and it took us one and a half hours. We had planned to go 70 miles and we were questioning that plan.  Happily the downhill was more than we expected. It was a cold downhill ride but helped us to get 50 miles by noon. 

Sharon had a proud moment when she used her mace spray successfully on a dog that was trying to give her trouble! 

It rained after we arrived here in John Day. It made us appreciate the fact that we are not camping.  Tomorrow our goal is Sumpter. There are three mountain passes of over 5000 feet before we get there. We are nearing the 300 mile mark for this trip. Ron continues to sample the chili. He told me this evening he may take a break. We met and spoke with two other solo cyclists who are going cross country.  This proves we are not the only crazy ones! All is well!

I have included a picture of bird houses made from cowboy boots. A local John de man makes these.

Date 4: Prineville to Mitchill Oregon 48 mi

Happy Father's Day was not what Ron was thinking when he changed two tires within 15 miles of hills.  One was for a flat tire (tube) and one was for a bad tire. We did get a good downhill to compensate some. We are staying in the historic Oregon hotel in Mitchell Oregon. We rode in shorts but kept taking our coats on and off. No rain but we did have a headwind times. Tomorrow's destination is Mt. Vernon or John Day, Oregon.  We're both sore in places you can guess. 

Day 1 -- 58 mi to Detroit, OR

It was a good day for cycling. We left at 8 am and arrived at 3 pm. Sharon's sister Fran is riding 2 days with us. She did well.  Except for her shoelace getting in the chain. Luckily no bad outcome. it rained on us the last 8 miles. Since we arrived it has rained quite a bit more. Meal options are limited here but I think we ate enough. Tomorrow we ride two sisters Oregon --it will be harder.

Day3: Sisters to Prineville Oregon; 40 miles

It was a blue sky day; a lIttle cool but dry!  We are here because the other option for lodging would be more than 45 miles away in Mitchell. The rodeo was in town in Sisters and the parade was about to start. Unfortunately that meant the coffee shop was too crowded. Our excellent Mexican food lunch in Redmond made up for it.   Sharon saw a porcupine roadkill-- did the car that hit it get a flat tire? Ron always looks for money beside the road. He hit the jackpot today with a 25 cent coin!

Day 1 & 2 Salem to Detroit to Sisters

We are having trouble posting. . .but should figure it out soon.  All is well after a very difficult ride today.