Day 10, Baker City-70 miles

Sleep came fast and deep for me through the night in Prairie City and the timing was good. Today's ride called for a strenuous 70 mile stretch to Baker City which included three summit climbs; Dixie Pass- 5,277 feet, Tipton Pass- 5,124 feet and Sumpter Pass- 5,082 feet. These three passes were all in the first 40 miles of the ride and the first one started right at the end of the street in Prairie City! lets call it warm up by fire. The terrain after the three passes was primarily gong to be flat to downhill all the way to baker City so I focused my efforts on simply getting over the passes. The rest would be cake. The weather had cooled significantly and a hazy sun made riding conditions ideal.

Vista Point, halfway up first pass

The ponies came out firing on all cylinders today and showed their appreciation for the prior days rest. I also got three full meals in the day before and made it a point to hydrate constantly. It has been difficult to stay hydrated because it requires constant attention. While in Prairie City I drank 100 ounces of water, 24 ounces of beer, a 16 ounce Vita water, a 16 ounce coke and I didn't need to use the john until after midnight.

I competed each climb feeling very strong and enjoyed the miles of downhill after each one. I was joined on the second climb by two guys who were doing a one day loop. As is the case each time I run across fellow cyclists, they invariably ask me if I am married and when I answer them, they want to know how I got permission to leave for three months! I usually tell them my wife didn't even know I was gone for about five days until she noticed nobody took the garbage out.

I think I'll go straight here

After completing the third climb I was ready to have a nice big lunch to refuel but there was nothing on my route for 29 miles, and that was my destination of Baker City. I decided to pull over at a Ranch entrance and have a bag of Tuna and almonds dipped in peanut butter. After reading the sign at the entrance, accompanied by the visual back up, I made sure to sit behind a big rock pile just in case somebody wanted to use me for target practice. I would meet the owner a few minutes later and he was a great guy who laughed at his signs as nothing more then fun humor. He had a gorgeous 134 acre ranch that he built with his own two hands. Awesome fella.

Lunch break behind the rocks!

The remaining 29 miles or so was a beautiful meandering ride out of the mountains. I followed the most serene and scenic small river for most of the trip. Powder Creek was the idyllic creek that you have all seen at one time or another running by and through the old family farms that have been used in countless westerns and shows like "Little House on the Prairie." Many of those structures from real families of those times are still standing and some still functioning. Unbelievable natural beauty. Clint Eastwood filmed several scenes from his western movie days in this area.

Baker City is the largest town I have seen since Eugene. With 9,980 residents and a federal building, it is the hub for three highways that all come together here before heading off in all directions at the other end of town.

I rewarded the ponies for their exemplary performance today with some IPA ales from a bar and grill and a giant plate of spaghetti and meatballs a little later. I visited a bike store and arranged to have the bike, which now officially has a name, receive some love and tenderness the following day. I repaired to an old hotel that was referred by the bike shop and called it a day.

Amen

Tomorrow is my first rest day since leaving Astoria 10 day ago. I need it.

Now let me take this opportunity to introduce you to my bike. This beast of brutality, this epitome of dependability, this companion of unrelenting faith who in only ten days of work has been dragged through snow, sleet and hail, braved gale force winds, has run over rocks, glass, wood bark and anything else you can imagine, all while hauling a back breaking load, shall be known from this point on as "SILVER."

Hi -Yo Silver....Away!