Seemingly Always an Up (June 16, 2012)

It seems like having been on a four-day long roller coaster ride. For each of the last four days the rides included a substantial climb of some sort.

After a truly wonderful rest day in Baker City, we headed out for the 71 mile trek to Oxbow, OR. I should interject how wonderful a day spent in a huge town of 10,000 +/- population can be after passing through towns of miniscule population. To actually have a choice of several eating establishments and be able to spend time in a quality book store restores one's sense of urbanization (not sure that is even a word, let alone of the correct spelling). I am an unashamed city boy ... what can I say.

Anyway, back to the ride. The first half of the day was a fairly easy ride, but being that it was four days ago, little sticks in my memory. Frank and I stopped in Redland (I think) for lunch. To borrow a phrase from a Linda Matson touring story, I met the "mythical" Kim. Frank had met Kim way back on the Coast, and I had heard ongoing references to Kim throughout our sojourn across Oregon. As we were leaving the small cafe, two other riders (with whom Kim had been riding) rode in to town. So there we were, six of us (Roger returned from his quest for his quart of yogurt) ... six of us and our massive bikes/panniers and bright-colored clothing ... most enjoyable.

Anyway, back to the ride. After this luncheon interlude, we were presented with what turned out to be one of the most difficult climbs of the tour. It wasn't that the road was so steep (although it seemed so), or that the elevation gain was so great (although it seemed so) ... it was that it was so damned hot! As is to be expected in such circumstances, the summit sign was a relief to see. We all managed to crest the climb, and gathered at a very nice campground in Oxbow, OR. Six small tents scattered around a single tent-site ... $10 fee split six ways. It was a beautiful evening until a tremendous rain storm prompted us all to dive into our tents. Sleep came quickly.

At this point I do not remember that much about the next two days of riding (Oxbow to Council, ID ... 64 miles, and Council to Riggins ... 62 miles). What does stand out was the lodging/eating. I should mention that Kim has been riding with Roger, Frank and I since the cafe in Redland. Kim shares my dislike of all things camping and love of all things enclosed lodging. In Council, Kim and I partook in the joy of a pizza and salad bar. Very citified, don'cha know. Then it was off to Riggins.

For the better part of the final 30 miles into Riggins, the road runs along the Little Salmon River. For the worst part of that thirty miles, there is about five miles of incredibly steep (down, thankfully) of incredibly no-bike-lane, of incredibly trafficked ... horrifying ... pedal your ass off and pray that there are no semi-trucks needing to pass in opposite directions. I rarely am concerned about my safety while out touring, but this scared the holy-hell out of me. When we arrived in Riggins, we discovered that every salmon fisherman known to the Universe was in town. Where to lay our heads that evening was a serious question. Kim (did I mention her "love of camping"), had opted for a motel, and was very fortunate to book what may have been the last room available in town. She asked the owner if her three traveling mates could camp somewhere on the motel grounds. Not only did he allow us to set up our tents (at no cost), but he brought us each a complimentary beer. If ever you are in Riggins, go the the Iron Mountain Lodge ... owners are exceptional and the quality of the facility was very comfortable.

Yesterday's ride from Riggins to Grangeville (54 miles) included a substantial 2700' elevation climb to White Bird Summit. There are two highways to the summit ... the new highway which is just a steady grade (at 7%) or the old Highway 95 which included approximately 500,000 switchbacks. Frank, Kim and I opted for the old highway; Roger the new. Although it was a long climb, the climbing was not overly difficult (easy to say now that I am resting on a comfortable bed waiting for the ibuprofen to kick in). Frank did his usual act of dropping me in a hurry (the man can climb, to say the list). Kim and I rode at a similar pace, and shared our disgust with the summit not coming around each corner. There was almost no traffic on the old highway, so it made for good riding (other than the continual up-ness). At one point a van stopped along side of us to congratulate us ... and awarded us with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. We all made it to Grangeville and met up in the local Subway sandwich shop. Kim and I opted for hotel lodging, Frank an RV campsite, and Roger the City Park. To each their own!

Today's ride is void of a massive climb, but does include a massive down hill.

Down is good.
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Note, the bridge in the adjacent picture is in White Bird, ID ... quite an impressive span. Court, try that with prestressed concrete!!!