After yet another major climb and an exhilarating downhill, we made our way back into Sisters where we started one week ago. I can't wait to get home. I'm jumping in a car to drive back in a few minutes.

Check out the slideshow below from today's ride...and thanks for following along all week. On Monday, it's back to business as usual.


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

The Cycle Oregon folks called today's ride "the Magic Carpet Ride" and I can't think of a better way to put it.

Last night in the beer garden I talked about scenic byways with the founder of Cycle Oregon, Jonathan Nicholas. Jonathan and I agreed that the future of bicycling in Oregon is to designate a network of backroads as official Scenic Bikeways. It's an exciting possibility that will not only provide an amazing recreational opportunity, but will give an economic boost to many small towns throughout the state.

Today, we rode on a Scenic Byway. Our 65 mile route took us from Oakridge to Rainbow via Aufderheide Memorial Drive.

Tonight is our last night of camping, and we have a special night time event: the Bike Rodeo. Stay tuned for photos of Bike Gallery mechanics trying to kill themselves on their bikes. There will be bike limbo, bike derby, and more.

For now, check out my slideshow from today's ride...

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Last night's ride report was cut short and I didn't get a chance to share more thoughts and photos of Congressman Oberstar and Representative DeFazio from last night.

The two members of Congress joined Cycle Oregon for a grueling climb yesterday and then spoke on the Main Stage after dinner.

DeFazio spoke of his admiration for Oberstar and told us about opportunities for bicycles in the Federal Transportation Bill despite, "being saddled with Bush."

He also gave some play-by-play from the day's climb. When he asked Oberstar if he wanted to stop (it was a very hot day) Oberstar said, "No, if I stop I'll never get started again." DeFazio also shared that Oberstar said he had his heart rate pegged at 161 for 15 minutes. Not bad for a 73 year-old who rarely gets a chance to ride (he told me he's got about 1,500 miles in so far this year).

Oberstar does not hold back
his passion for bikes.

The real fireworks started when Oberstar took the stage. Still wearing his lycra, he delivered a rousing speech (I nearly yelled "Oberstar for President!" but thought better of it). I've heard him talk to a bikey crowd in the past and he mentioned some of the same things last night; but I've never seen him so energetic. He implored the crowd to get more involved in "helping to change the habits of an entire generation."

He also spoke about his efforts to continue to, "thread the language of bicycles into the Federal Transportation Bill." He ended his speech with a stirring string of exclamations that ended with a crescendo; he was practically screaming as he waved his hand and pointed at the crowd: "If you can do that climb you did today, than you can become an advocate for bikes!".

The crowd ate it up.

After he left the stage, I noticed a middle-aged man ask for his autograph. A few moments later, two women approached him. "I've never had my picture taken with a rock star before," one of them said. Here's the photo...

DeFazio (left) and Oberstar (right) with two unnamed groupies.

I also snapped a photo of the two of them with Bike Gallery owner Jay Graves, Cycle Oregon Ride Director Jerry Norquist and the Mayor of Cottage Grove, OR, Gary Williams...

(L to R): Jerry Norquist; Peter DeFazio; Jay Graves; Jim Oberstar; Gary Williams

On the ride this morning, I overheard a man say, "Wow, that Oberstar guy was sure fired up huh? Like a televangelist or something."

Yep, to achieve the vision for bicycles in America that is shared by Oberstar and DeFazio, it just might take a miracle.

It's hard to top a ride around Crater Lake, but today's journey came pretty darn close.

Newly paved road.

We left Dorena Lake (Elev. 723) and headed east; 55 miles to Oakridge. On this misty morning, we meandered along a bike/ped only trail that led us into Brice Creek and the Umpqua National Forest.

Surrounded by a tunnel of green, we ascended gradually. The babble of the creek, as it tumbled over rocks and logs just yards from our pedals, was the only sound to be heard.

As we made our way upward, the mist gave way to bright sunshine and the real climbing began. With grades as high as 8.8%, we gained 4,000 of elevation in just under 40 miles. Easing the pain was a dreamy, newly paved road; I saw only one non-Cycle Oregon car the entire day.

Oakridge is a former logging town.

We rode by wildflowers; rich, green, ferny meadows, and weathered rock. The exposed switchbacks reminded me of the climbs above Santa Barbara that I would float up back in my glory days. Today, when my legs winced, I tried resurrect those muscle memories; but I think my legs have amnesia.

Once the final climb was conquered, we descended a serpentine road that dropped us back into the mist, and eventually into Oakridge.

Tonight we're camping on the athletic fields of Oakridge High School. Tomorrow's penultimate day takes us 65 miles (3,300 ft. elev. gain) into the town of Rainbow on the Mackenzie River.

View the full slideshow below:

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

I got a late start this morning, but the timing turned out to be fortuitous.

At our lunch stop today at Steamboat Creek (I'm sure you've heard of it) I walked past the Bike Gallery service tent and guess who I saw? None other than U.S. Congressman James Oberstar. He was being fitted to a new Trek Madone by Bike Gallery owner Jay Graves.

As I waited for Oberstar to get rolling, I looked back and noticed U.S. Representative Peter DeFazio.

These two are like the 1-2 punch of bike power in the Halls of Congress. They are not only passionate advocates for making bicycles a respected part of America's transportation system, but with Democrats in power, they control the fate of billions of dollars in federal transportation funds.

A powerful peleton:
Oberstar in front, DeFazio behind.

This was a rare opportunity to share some time in the saddle with them. Luckily the route started with a gradual climb, so the pace was slow and conversational. I chatted with DeFazio about some of the issues facing Portland. It's always interesting to hear what someone like him knows (and doesn't know) about what's going on with bikes in our city. I've met DeFazio several times, but never had the chance to talk at length.

At camp tonight, both men addressed the crowd. Oberstar was like a "rock star" and riled up the crowd with a rousing speech. I snapped his photo with women under each arm and one guy even asked for his autograph. He implored everyone to become advocates for bikes.

I'd like to write more, but I need to catch the last shuttle back to camp.

More photos and stories to come tomorrow. For now, view today's slideshow...

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

View slideshow below

Pumice dotted deserts; boulder-strewn hillsides; windswept, whitebark pines. Oh, and then there's the stunning view of the lake. It was a visual feast (more photos here).

But it's not the postcard panoramas that I'll remember most from this day. That distinction will go to something tragic, but no less memorable.

A memorial for Mike Simmons.

The story started when I rolled up on a heart-shaped display of rose petals just before a turnout. Thinking it was just a nice gesture of encouragement for passing riders, I pulled over and snapped a few photos.

After I rode away, something made me turn back around and talk with the two women sitting on the tailgate of a truck near the display.

I soon learned the roses were a memorial for Mike Simmons. His wife Carole Johnstone-Simmons and his daughter Hallie Stanfield retold the story...

Mike was struck by a motorcycle at the spot of the rose petals while training for last year's Cycle Oregon (see news story here). "He loved riding up here", his wife Carole said. Hallie added that, "It was just a freak accident". Mike, a hunter and all-around mountain-man from nearby Roseburg, collided with a motorcycle on August 19th, 2006 and died from head injuries two weeks later. He was 61.

Hallie, Carole, and Nicki.

As the story sunk in, Carole and Hallie told me that Mike's other daughter, Nicki Ford, was on the ride this year and would be coming up the climb any minute.

When Nicki rolled up, she hugged her mom and her sister and then went over to a rock by the side of the road where her dad was fatally wounded.

She uncovered a Diet Pepsi -- her Dad's favorite drink -- and said, "This is for you Dad" just before chugging it down. Her custom-made bike had "unfinished business" painted across the top tube.

In one of those strange, circular moments that gives you the chills, I finally connected the dots...

On last year's Cycle Oregon, I hung out with a group of folks from Roseburg. I recalled they were wearing matching necklaces in honor of a friend who had died just before the ride. They had a special dinner one night in his honor and they asked me to take a group photo. I now realize that friend was Mike Simmons.

My ride around the Rim was unforgettable in many ways.

For all my photos from today, view the slideshow below...

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Today was a layover day on Cycle Oregon. That meant that we could either do a ride up and around Crater Lake (which I did; it was awesome), or hang out at Diamond Lake.

Ride organizers thought this would be a perfect opportunity to showcase some Oregon-made bike products; especially the work of our large and talented crop of framebuilders.

Showing up to show off their work were:

Vendetta Cycles from Albany

• Jeff Jones / Jeff Jones Bicycles
• Bill Stites / Stites Design
• Jim Bombardier / Bi-Saddle
• Natalie and Austin Ramsland / Sweetpea Bicycles
• Ira Ryan / Ira Ryan Cycles
• Conor Buescher and Garrett Clark / Vendetta Cycles
• Tony Pereira / Pereira Cycles
• Dwan Sheppard / Co-Motion Cycles
• Joseph Ahearne and Mitch Pete Hedman / Ahearne Cycles

I loved Jeff Jones' bikes. He's an interesting guy, sort of an iconoclast, and has some very different perspectives on mountain bikes. He goes for "vertical compliance" and does some amazing things with titanium (so amazing that a frameset will set you back $4,300). He aims to give you a comfortable, well-handling ride without using suspension shocks. I've heard he's got an eight-year waiting list so he must be on to something.

The work of Jeff Jones.

A sweet little 'cross bike from Sweetpea.

The big news from Jeff Jones is that he's now having Merlin make some of his bikes so he can concentrate on development instead of manufacturing.

The bikes of Vendetta Cycles from Albany also caught my eye. They plan on coming to Portland in November and you should definitely spend some time in their booth.

Land Shark by John Slawta

My favorite bike of the day was Joseph Ahearne's latest creation. It's an off-road touring beast of a bike. Like all of Joseph's bikes there's more than meets the eye. How about the head badge? It's a detachable, titanium spork. And he even attached a cute, little owl on the stem.

When I posted about this show a few weeks back, some of you were bummed you couldn't make it up to Diamond Lake on a weekday. Well, you're in luck, because all of these builders, and many others will be coming to Portland for the Oregon Handmade Bicycle Show on November 11.

Until then, take a gander at all of my photos from the expo.

The two numbers I will always remember from today are 28 and 94. 28 is how many degrees it was when I woke up and 94 is how many miles I rode.

To say it was cold this morning would be a vast understatement. My tent and my bike were covered in frost. People piled on the layers and tried standing in the rising sun, but it was little help. It took me about 8 miles of riding before the feeling came back into my fingers (my feet took quite a bit longer).

But once I got rolling and the sun found its strength, it was another memorable -- but not particularly beautiful -- day of riding. Our route took us from La Pine ("Oregon's Newest City") south to Diamond Lake. It was by far the longest ride I've done since last year's Cycle Oregon.

Now we're at Diamond Lake Recreation Area, where we'll spend the next two nights. Tomorrow we can either hang around the lake, or opt to ride a grueling 33 miles up and around Crater Lake. I have no business doing that, but what the hell; the photos will be epic.

A roadside market in Chemult was inundated with cyclists.

Ahhhh, the open road.

Tonight and tomorrow is the Made in Oregon Bike Expo. Can't wait to check that out. Stay tuned for photos.

For more photos, see my slideshow below. And for a real insiders look at Cycle Oregon, you should definitely take a peek at Michael Rollins' daily coverage. He's doing a great job blogging the event for the Oregonian.

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

There are many important parts to the well-oiled Cycle Oregon machine, but perhaps none is more essential than the mechanical support provided by Bike Gallery.

These guys work just for tips and they're committed to keeping everyone on the road. With fully-stocked mini-vans they set up at water stops, rest stops, and wherever their help is needed. Then at camp each night -- when everyone else is headed for the beer garden and some R&R -- they're faced with a daunting workload. Right now, while riders settle into their tents for the night, they're working under the lights triage-style to get bikes ready for the morning.

Mechanic Matt Cardinal doesn't seem fazed (yet), "Sometimes it's non-stop...it just keeps coming. Mornings are really crazy, but usually it's just minor stuff we're doing."

Service Manager Brett Flemming.

Not so for Service Manager Brett Flemming (I visited his shop back in March). Today at a rest stop he fixed a broken dropout (using a drill, a bolt and some epoxy) and later at camp I watched him prep an old Motobecane that had a stress fracture crack in its headtube. For that repair, he busted out his welding torch (yes, he brought one with him, and he also has a lathe).

As he filed and prepped the crack he said, "I accumulate spare parts throughout the year just for Cycle Oregon. Things like cleat bolts and seat clamps are in high demand."

An hour or so later, Flemming was on the Main Stage, holding the crowd's attention with an engaging presentation on flat repair. Yes, Flemming is the rare individual whose unabashed love for his area of expertise can make even the most mundane topic entertaining.

Flemming's bike repair presentations are always a crowd favorite.

If there's a downside to the tireless and comprehensive support from Bike Gallery, it's that you can never use the excuse, "I would have ridden all the way, but I broke my bike."

Our first morning started out with a stinging chill. It didn't take long though, before folks were shedding their layers and enjoying the warm sun.

The Three Sisters provided
a gorgeous backdrop.

As we headed south from Sisters (en route to Bend) we skirted around Highway 20 to enjoy nearly car-free backroads. We rode in the shadow of the Three Sisters mountains and rambled by ranches with names like El Rancho Horso Manuro (not kidding) and B-Bar-B.

The route was an ideal first day. Flats and gentle rollers; just right for stretching the muscles and clearing out the cobwebs for the tougher days to come.

I'm enjoying the camaraderie and spirit that infuses Cycle Oregon. It seems like every few minutes of riding I bump into a friend or an old acquaintance.

I chatted with Jeanette Kloos, President of the Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway. You might remember my story about her effort to rebuild the Historic Highway. She shared good news about her first-ever Gorge Ride. 379 people participated and she plans to make it an annual event.

Joe "Slow Joe Recumbo" Keenan
and Marilyn "Tweety" Hayward.

Just before our first rest stop I met Beaverton resident Jim Athey. Jim is a co-owner of Eola Hills Wine Cellars in the Willamette Valley. He told me about his Bike Oregon Wine Country rides that happen each weekend in August.

Heading south, the wide-open ranges and ranches of the Sisters foothills gave way to a growing sense of surburbia just north of Bend. I was amazed at how much new development is happening there.

We lunched just north of Bend's Old Mill District. It was quite a spectacle to see so many bikes and colorful jerseys buzzing about. The infamous bathroom line was in full force...

Need to go? Gotta wait.

We made our way onto Highway 97 near Lava Lands State Park and up and over Lava Fields Pass (elev. 4,510). We couldn't really enjoy the scenery too much though. Not only were we close to high-speed traffic, but there was a man-eating rumble strip that occupied about 25% of the width of the shoulder. I noticed one crash and heard later that a woman hit the strips and bashed into someone else. Why can't they put those things on the other side of the white line?!

This ride is heaven for bike geeks. I spotted some cool rigs today...

A 30 year-old Hetchins from England.

Polka-dot special with a big Free Geek sticker!

A custom Mike DeSalvo. Check those naked welds.

Tonight we're camping on the fields of La Pine High School.

I'm hungry and I've got some Hot Lips Pizza with my name on it. For more shots of today's ride, check out the slideshow below...

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Stay tuned; I'll post as much as I can as long as I can find a good signal. Hope all's well in Portland!