Up and Over (June 6)

Oh my, such elements in early June! For my Arizona friends, I can only say that the combined temperatures of AZ and this part of Oregon probably did not top 160 degrees.

Yesterday we rode from the McKenzie Bridge area, up over McKenzie Pass, and down to Sisters, OR. Frank and I followed Roger by about a half an hour ... slogging along at a mere 3 to 4 MPH for the majority of the 22 mile climb. At the base of the climb we were doing the old "take the rain jacket off/put it back on" dance. Light drizzle, just enough to require the rain jacket and helmet cover ... then warm and sunny (kind of) requiring removal of same. As we passed the 3000' elevation the rain turned to snow flurries. Near the 11 mile marker, we came upon Andrew who had camped up here the previous night ... it was noon-time and he was just finishing breaking camp ... the boy is not an early riser.

The remaining 11 miles was very interesting, or "extreme" as Roger so eloquently summarized this part of the climb. To properly understand the importance of Roger's comment, please understand that this man has been riding for more than 30 years (I think), and regularly puts in 20,000 +/- miles per year. This is a man who relishes the idea of camping in 30 degree weather. This is not a sane man. When he stated that there were times on the latter parts of the climb that made him nervous (which I also felt), it puts importance on the word "extreme". For a good section of the upper area we rode through two-to-three inches of accumulated snow on the road ... with serious drop-offs from the edge of the pavement.

At the top of the climb we rode through lava fields ... quite surreal. Black rock, as far as the eye could see. Black rock with splotches of white snow and occasional skeletal remains of long-dead trees.

The ride down was quick and incredibly cold. Gloves had long been soaked and the hands long frozen. Fortunately the roads were dry and we had an incredible tailwind for a quick ride into Sisters, OR. After a most satisfying lunch and the joy of cupping my cold hands around a cup of hot coffee, Frank and I found a locally owned, non-franchise motel. Very comfortable.

And Roger? Well it got down to 30 degrees last night, so I suspect he is a happy camper.