Taking a break ... (June 21, 2009)

I have pretty much parked my bike for the weekend, and have given the body a rest.

Baker City is hosting a regional bicycle stage race this weekend, and the town is full of very serious bike racers. The event, The Elkhorn Classic, ran Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and draws racers from throughout the Northwest and Northern California.

I spent Saturday downtown watching the time trials and the criterium races. Lots of fun. Had the opportunity to talk touring with a young couple, from South Carolina, who were passing through town. They gave me some worthwhile tips on routes and equipment. It was quite pleasurable to share the love of touring with these two. They are heading across country, and need to be back in South Carolina in mid August.

Sunday's race was to be a 105 mile road race, which was to go over three summits and then finish at a nearby mountain top. Another cold front, with cold rain, came through the area starting around midnight, Saturday night. The race officials ended up shortening this stage to 25 miles ... I would imagine the racers were greatly relieved as it was miserable.

I had planned on riding out to the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, which is about 6 miles out of town. Needless to say, with the rain, I did not visit the Center. I did, however, walk over to the Baker City Museum and learned that the guy who started the Airsteam Trailer Company, Wally Byam, was born in Baker City. Now that's a piece of information that will probalby come in handy at some point ... can't imagine when, though.

Monday's ride will be a tough one ... 66 miles with three summit climbs ... summits are in the neighborhood of 4500' to 5200'; Baker City is 3450'. Weather projections call for sunshine all week, so that is good. It will be good to get off of Route 84, and on to some scenic roads.