Across Oregon
Destination: Coburg, Oregon
We got a late start this morning but it was nice to hang out at Kevin and MaryRuth’s. After driving back to Rickreall I started riding where I left off yesterday. It was a beautiful day with blue skies and tailwinds to push me down the Willamette Valley. As usual the route took me on lightly traveled back roads and I only had to spend about 10 miles on Hwy 99. I rode through Monmouth, Corvallis, Peoria, Harrisburg, to Coburg where we are camped. I saw a Mennonite Church and many hand painted signs with biblical quotes near Peoria. I took them to mean that I will have to pay a heavy price for the heavenly tailwinds I had today.
Tomorrow we will head east towards McKenzie Pass. I still don’t know if the pass is open or if we’ll have to go over Santiam Pass. In any case I’d like to make it to Sisters but that’s 100 miles so we may pull up short.
Mileage: 64/267
Jani: I drove to Corvallis and parked in a shady spot, right next to a great bookstore. Looked around for awhile then walked Kira all around the downtown area. Found a nice park to walk in and watched the kids play in the fountains. I’d get a thrill every time I’d see Gary on the side as I passed by. Spent quite a bit of time in Harrisburg shopping. Then ran into Gary just as we were turning off for Coburg. So far he’s always ahead of me. How does he do it? The RV Park we’re in has a dishwashing sink, I wish they all did. Steak/mashed potatoes/green beans/cherries. Kira broke her collar trying to get to a dachshund.
Thursday June 22nd
Destination: Sisters, Oregon
I’m tired but happy about today’s ride. It was 100 miles with 5620’ elevation gain and I felt okay. I may take tomorrow off or do shorter mileage but the legs are coming around. The route followed the McKenzie River valley then went over McKenzie Pass. The pass is still closed to cars but bikes are allowed. It made for the best bike trail I’ve ridden. The road passes through lava fields at the top and gave great view of The Sisters, Mt Washington, and Mt Jefferson. On the descent there were swarms of butterflies over the road and I was smeared with fluorescent green bug guts by the time I met Jani in Sisters.
I met the first other Transam riders today. They were both English but that is where the similarities ended. The first rider had started from Virginia two months ago and told me that I was going the right direction since he had fought headwinds the entire way. When I told him that I was sorry for him but glad to hear that I might have favorable winds he told me that he thought it was cheating to travel west to east. He then complained about everything from the coffee to the three other riders he had started with but then left. I’m sure the other three will never regret leaving him. The second guy is a train driver from Newcastle. He can’t get enough time off for the entire trip and has done it in two sections: Yorktown to Breckenridge, Co last year; Breckenridge to Florence, Oregon this year. He was really nice which fortunately is the norm. It should be fun to talk with other riders even if they’ve gone the opposite direction.
Mileage: 100/367 Transam riders: 2/2
Jani: I spent the morning mailing a package; buying pillow/laundry bag/dog leash/collar/dog treats. Then somehow got turned around and was lost. The GPS came to the rescue. Bought raspberries in Walterville then continued on to Leaburg, all good family names. Kira and I had a blast at Suttle Lake. She was curious about a log in the lake and made the plunge to retrieve it (twice). Then chased butterflies to keep me entertained. Sisters town is a lot like Winthrop, with the Western styling and shopping. Our spot at Cold Springs campground had a creek running through it that was just right for Kira to jump over and run madly through. Ponderosa Pine completed the Western look.
Covered Bridge over McKenzie River
Three Sisters
McKenzie Pass
Friday June 23rdDestination: Sisters City Park
We decided to head towards Bend so I took off on the bike while Jani stayed behind in Sisters to look through some shops. It was a quick ride to Tumalo State Park but they were full so we drove to Redmond. After striking out at two RV parks we came back to Sisters and are camped in the city park. We did our laundry and it’s nice to be set for another week. I met another Transam rider from England so that’s three for three.
Tomorrow we’ll head east through Prineville then on Hwy 26 to Mitchell. There aren’t many towns through that part of Oregon so the mileage will be dictated by where we can stay.
Mileage: 18/385 Transam riders: 1/3
Saturday June 24th
Destination: Mitchell, Oregon
It’s hot on the way to hotter. At least it’s still a dry heat.
I was going to start riding in Redmond because of road construction but started ten miles out because the garage sale opportunities were too good for Jani to ignore. I rode a backroad (O’neil Hwy) into Prineville then took Hwy 26 over Ochoco Pass to Mitchell. The forest was very scenic with large Ponderosa Pines and lush grass everywhere. Once over the 4700’ pass it was evident we had passed into eastern Oregon. By the time I reached the bottom of the descent it was 20 degrees warmer and sagebrush was the only vegetation. I started to worry that Mitchell (population 179) was going to be a hot dustbowl that would make for an unpleasant night but it’s a nice little “town” consisting of a general store, cafe, hotel, and city park (where we are camped).
I know we’ll adjust to the heat. This is the first day we’ve had over 80 degrees all year. When it started to bother me on the climb I tried to remember all the dark, wet, freezing commutes last winter when I would have been glad to be too hot. The other change I’ve made is to break out the gin and tonics. Life is still good.
Mileage: 79/464 Transam riders: 0/3
Mitchell, Oregon
Sunday June 25th
Destination: Prairie City, Oregon
It was about 95 degrees today and is supposed to be hotter tomorrow. This morning was very comfortable temperature which was good because it started with a 1500’ climb. We went through more high grasslands before dropping down to the John Day River then took a short detour to see the John Day Fossil Beds. The visitor’s center has very good displays of many different fossils.
I had another day of good tailwinds which helped me finish riding by 2:30 in the afternoon. I got on the bike at 8AM but will try to get out earlier tomorrow. I only have to ride 68 miles but that includes climbing three passes on the way to Baker City.
I got a new reply after answering that I’m riding across the country. This one came from a little girl who asked if I was doing it to lose weight. No, but that would be nice. Other questions have been: Does your bum hurt? What kind of motorcycle are you on?
Mileage: 84/548 Transam riders: 0/3
Monday June 26th
Destination: Baker City, Oregon
It’s supposed to be 100 degrees today and it certainly feels that hot. The ride here was not that long but the climbing was over 4000’. The good thing is that most of the way was up in the forest and it was relatively pleasant. The bad thing is that there weren’t any towns along the way and I got very thirsty before getting water at a campground 50 miles from the start. I find that I need to drink at least twice what I normally would and am still dehydrated. I got to Baker City a little after 1PM and found Jani and Kira at the city park. We’re camped at an RV park just north of town. There are a lot of big trees with shade for us and filled with squirrels to keep Kira occupied.
Jani has been too hot to write in the journal but has still been able to find used clothing everywhere. She mailed home two more big boxes to bring the total to 4 or 5. I can’t keep track.
Tomorrow we’ll go through Halfway then cross into Idaho at Brownlee Dam. Oregon has been more scenic than we could have imagined but it will be nice to finally enter a new state.
We got a late start this morning but it was nice to hang out at Kevin and MaryRuth’s. After driving back to Rickreall I started riding where I left off yesterday. It was a beautiful day with blue skies and tailwinds to push me down the Willamette Valley. As usual the route took me on lightly traveled back roads and I only had to spend about 10 miles on Hwy 99. I rode through Monmouth, Corvallis, Peoria, Harrisburg, to Coburg where we are camped. I saw a Mennonite Church and many hand painted signs with biblical quotes near Peoria. I took them to mean that I will have to pay a heavy price for the heavenly tailwinds I had today.
Tomorrow we will head east towards McKenzie Pass. I still don’t know if the pass is open or if we’ll have to go over Santiam Pass. In any case I’d like to make it to Sisters but that’s 100 miles so we may pull up short.
Mileage: 64/267
Jani: I drove to Corvallis and parked in a shady spot, right next to a great bookstore. Looked around for awhile then walked Kira all around the downtown area. Found a nice park to walk in and watched the kids play in the fountains. I’d get a thrill every time I’d see Gary on the side as I passed by. Spent quite a bit of time in Harrisburg shopping. Then ran into Gary just as we were turning off for Coburg. So far he’s always ahead of me. How does he do it? The RV Park we’re in has a dishwashing sink, I wish they all did. Steak/mashed potatoes/green beans/cherries. Kira broke her collar trying to get to a dachshund.
Thursday June 22nd
Destination: Sisters, Oregon
I’m tired but happy about today’s ride. It was 100 miles with 5620’ elevation gain and I felt okay. I may take tomorrow off or do shorter mileage but the legs are coming around. The route followed the McKenzie River valley then went over McKenzie Pass. The pass is still closed to cars but bikes are allowed. It made for the best bike trail I’ve ridden. The road passes through lava fields at the top and gave great view of The Sisters, Mt Washington, and Mt Jefferson. On the descent there were swarms of butterflies over the road and I was smeared with fluorescent green bug guts by the time I met Jani in Sisters.
I met the first other Transam riders today. They were both English but that is where the similarities ended. The first rider had started from Virginia two months ago and told me that I was going the right direction since he had fought headwinds the entire way. When I told him that I was sorry for him but glad to hear that I might have favorable winds he told me that he thought it was cheating to travel west to east. He then complained about everything from the coffee to the three other riders he had started with but then left. I’m sure the other three will never regret leaving him. The second guy is a train driver from Newcastle. He can’t get enough time off for the entire trip and has done it in two sections: Yorktown to Breckenridge, Co last year; Breckenridge to Florence, Oregon this year. He was really nice which fortunately is the norm. It should be fun to talk with other riders even if they’ve gone the opposite direction.
Mileage: 100/367 Transam riders: 2/2
Jani: I spent the morning mailing a package; buying pillow/laundry bag/dog leash/collar/dog treats. Then somehow got turned around and was lost. The GPS came to the rescue. Bought raspberries in Walterville then continued on to Leaburg, all good family names. Kira and I had a blast at Suttle Lake. She was curious about a log in the lake and made the plunge to retrieve it (twice). Then chased butterflies to keep me entertained. Sisters town is a lot like Winthrop, with the Western styling and shopping. Our spot at Cold Springs campground had a creek running through it that was just right for Kira to jump over and run madly through. Ponderosa Pine completed the Western look.
Covered Bridge over McKenzie River
Three Sisters
McKenzie Pass
Friday June 23rdDestination: Sisters City Park
We decided to head towards Bend so I took off on the bike while Jani stayed behind in Sisters to look through some shops. It was a quick ride to Tumalo State Park but they were full so we drove to Redmond. After striking out at two RV parks we came back to Sisters and are camped in the city park. We did our laundry and it’s nice to be set for another week. I met another Transam rider from England so that’s three for three.
Tomorrow we’ll head east through Prineville then on Hwy 26 to Mitchell. There aren’t many towns through that part of Oregon so the mileage will be dictated by where we can stay.
Mileage: 18/385 Transam riders: 1/3
Saturday June 24th
Destination: Mitchell, Oregon
It’s hot on the way to hotter. At least it’s still a dry heat.
I was going to start riding in Redmond because of road construction but started ten miles out because the garage sale opportunities were too good for Jani to ignore. I rode a backroad (O’neil Hwy) into Prineville then took Hwy 26 over Ochoco Pass to Mitchell. The forest was very scenic with large Ponderosa Pines and lush grass everywhere. Once over the 4700’ pass it was evident we had passed into eastern Oregon. By the time I reached the bottom of the descent it was 20 degrees warmer and sagebrush was the only vegetation. I started to worry that Mitchell (population 179) was going to be a hot dustbowl that would make for an unpleasant night but it’s a nice little “town” consisting of a general store, cafe, hotel, and city park (where we are camped).
I know we’ll adjust to the heat. This is the first day we’ve had over 80 degrees all year. When it started to bother me on the climb I tried to remember all the dark, wet, freezing commutes last winter when I would have been glad to be too hot. The other change I’ve made is to break out the gin and tonics. Life is still good.
Mileage: 79/464 Transam riders: 0/3
Mitchell, Oregon
Sunday June 25th
Destination: Prairie City, Oregon
It was about 95 degrees today and is supposed to be hotter tomorrow. This morning was very comfortable temperature which was good because it started with a 1500’ climb. We went through more high grasslands before dropping down to the John Day River then took a short detour to see the John Day Fossil Beds. The visitor’s center has very good displays of many different fossils.
I had another day of good tailwinds which helped me finish riding by 2:30 in the afternoon. I got on the bike at 8AM but will try to get out earlier tomorrow. I only have to ride 68 miles but that includes climbing three passes on the way to Baker City.
I got a new reply after answering that I’m riding across the country. This one came from a little girl who asked if I was doing it to lose weight. No, but that would be nice. Other questions have been: Does your bum hurt? What kind of motorcycle are you on?
Mileage: 84/548 Transam riders: 0/3
Monday June 26th
Destination: Baker City, Oregon
It’s supposed to be 100 degrees today and it certainly feels that hot. The ride here was not that long but the climbing was over 4000’. The good thing is that most of the way was up in the forest and it was relatively pleasant. The bad thing is that there weren’t any towns along the way and I got very thirsty before getting water at a campground 50 miles from the start. I find that I need to drink at least twice what I normally would and am still dehydrated. I got to Baker City a little after 1PM and found Jani and Kira at the city park. We’re camped at an RV park just north of town. There are a lot of big trees with shade for us and filled with squirrels to keep Kira occupied.
Jani has been too hot to write in the journal but has still been able to find used clothing everywhere. She mailed home two more big boxes to bring the total to 4 or 5. I can’t keep track.
Tomorrow we’ll go through Halfway then cross into Idaho at Brownlee Dam. Oregon has been more scenic than we could have imagined but it will be nice to finally enter a new state.
posted by Gary and Jani at 11:38 AM
1 Comments:
Gary, Glad you got to ride the MacKenzie Pass and enjoyed my home state of Oregon. I think you may have crossed paths with my brother Dennis on his ride. Did you see or hear a group of 20+ motorcycles on th ride to Baker City?
Keep on truckin'
GPW
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