Today’s route: 49 miles, 1,300 ft. elevation gain Today we packed up for the last time and faced a stiff headwind for a short but sweet ride back into Umatilla. The route rolled through wheat farm country dotted with old barns and back through the Walla Walla onion crops I remembered from our first day. … Read more
[Leaving Union] What bike tour would be complete without at least one epic day? Today was that day. After a smattering of rain last night, we embarked on our penultimate day’s ride under our first morning of questionable weather so far. Ominous clouds lingered overhead and riders suited up for the worst. At last night’s … Read more
[Camped on the UnionHigh School football field.] Today is our rest day here in the great little town of Union, Oregon and if you want to know what Cycle Oregon is all about, this day pretty much sums it up. The 3,000 or so riders, volunteer and crew that make up Cycle Oregon have descended … Read more
Well, I made it. Yesterday we left Sumpter and climbed up and over Anthony Lakes pass at 7,400 feet. Now I’m here in Union (population 2,000), yet another charming old town I feel lucky to visit. We arrived yesterday and today is our layover day. There’s an optional 91 mile ride that I’m sure would … Read more
[Leaving Starkey] Ride Details: 53 miles, 4,400 feet elevation gain This morning we left Starkey and rode along the Grande Ronde River valley. It was a frigid but unbelievably gorgeous start to the day. I couldn’t resist joining the many other riders that stopped on a bridge for a cheesy photo of me and the … Read more
[Dave, owner ofthe Starkey Store] The folks in Starkey, like Heppner and Umatilla, welcomed us with open arms; all 42 of them. Starkey is the first real small town we’ve stayed in. Total population is 21 and according to Dave (owner of the Starkey Store) they were the last town in Oregon to get phone … Read more
[Leaving Heppner] Ride details: 82 miles, 6000 feet elevation gain Leaving Heppner was bittersweet. While I looked forward to getting back in the saddle and the ride into Starkey, I felt like I didn’t have enough time to enjoy the sweet little town nestled between golden, rolling hills. The community in Heppner gladly let Cycle … Read more
Well I made it to Heppner; 70 miles down, 520 to go. The ride was fantastic. Ideal weather, wide-open countryside, and wispy clouds set against a perfectly blue sky and empty roads. I rolled out of Umatilla and kept to myself for the first 20 miles or so. I just wanted to let the feeling … Read more
[Editor’s note: I wrote this last night but couldn’t get on the web until now.] [Where’s my bag?] So here I am in McNary Dam State Park, Umatilla Oregon. I’ve never been this far out into the Gorge. I feel like I’m out on the frontier. It’s Day 0 of the 19th annual Cycle Oregon … Read more