Cycle Oregon Day 3: Over Grayback and back into Oregon

Nothing like a guy dressed up as a pirate to get you through a tough climb.
-Slideshow below-
(Photos © J. Maus)

Tonight we’re camping on the shores of beautiful Lake Selmac after another memorable day of riding. The route took us 54 miles north from Happy Camp (California), up and over Grayback Mountain and then back into Oregon.

Cycle Oregon Day 3 - Happy Camp to Lake Selmac-52 Cycle Oregon Day 3 - Happy Camp to Lake Selmac-9 Cycle Oregon Day 3 - Happy Camp to Lake Selmac-8 Cycle Oregon Day 3 - Happy Camp to Lake Selmac-7

Leaving Happy Camp we rode by the world’s largest dreamcatcher. Making it even more interesting was a nifty wooden bike sculpture, which hung from the bottom of it.

Total elevation gain today was 5,200 feet (the entire week will be over 28,000). The climb up Grayback was tough, but at a mere 6% or so average grade, it wasn’t too unbearable. Most people in camp are talking about a killer grunt of a climb a few miles later on the small, one-lane, Bear Creek Road. According to organizers, it was the steepest climb in Cycle Oregon history.

Cycle Oregon Day 3 - Happy Camp to Lake Selmac-50

Here’s how it looked from the bottom…
Cycle Oregon Day 3 - Happy Camp to Lake Selmac-55

and from the top.

Story continues below

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For me, the biggest thrill of the day was the nearly perfect descent down from Grayback. The road was smooth and wide — and after tucking my camera safely in my backpack — I just went for it. Flat out. I haven’t descended like that in years and it was a huge thrill (made all the more enjoyable thanks to my sure-footed campanion).

You won’t see many photos in the slideshow from the descent, because it was just way too fun to stop.

With today’s ride we have pedaled the entire length of the official State of Jefferson Scenic Byway. What a treat it has been. And to think, riding is just one small part of why Cycle Oregon is such an amazing event.

Tomorrow we continue north, 70 miles to the town of Glendale. For 20 of those miles we’ll hug one of Oregon’s most scenic rivers, the mighty Rogue.

For more photos from today’s ride, check out the slideshow below:


Special thanks for our Cycle Oregon coverage goes to Pro Photo Supply for loaning me camera gear, Icebreaker clothing for helping keep me comfy on and off the bike, and Cielo Cycles for the big grin on my face as I pedal.

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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Kt
Kt
14 years ago

Awesome pictures, JM. Thanks for letting the rest of us live the ride through you! 🙂

Dale Caldwell
Dale Caldwell
14 years ago

Jonathan, I rode CO 2009 and just recently discovered your web site w/photos and narrations for each day which I enjoyed. However, I only found days 1-3. Did you post for days 4-7, and if so, where might I find them?

Dale

Oregon Info
14 years ago

BikePortland.org » Blog Archive » Cycle Oregon Day 3: Over …: Special thanks for our Cycle Oregon coverage goe.. http://bit.ly/3j6qGO

Eric D. Schabell
14 years ago

Cycle Oregon Day 3: Over Grayback and back into Oregon http://bit.ly/iUUY0

Cycle Blogs
14 years ago

Bike Portland: Cycle Oregon Day 3: Over Grayback and back into Oregon:
Nothing like a guy dressed.. http://bit.ly/iUUY0

Jonathan Maus
14 years ago

New blog post: Cycle Oregon Day 3: Over Grayback and back into Oregon http://bit.ly/27lNZ