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Yorktown, VA to Mt Vernon, OR, Completed 3,780 Miles
Average 70 Miles/Day, Estimated Finish July 12, 2015 |
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| Biking Detail Phillips Lake, OR to Mt Vernon, OR |
Day 56 Monday, July 6
Left the Lake Phillips area, 17 miles out of Baker City, at 6:45 AM. Nice cool temperature and after some initial climbing enjoyed pretty ride through the flat Sumpter Valley area dotted with cattle ranches, deer grazing on the side of the road then heavy pine forests.
Stillness of the morning is a great time to ride. Pretty much you and Mother Nature. Three passes on the docket today. Each separated by about 14 miles. Sumpter Pass (5,082) not too bad...pretty steady 6%-7%. Unmarked summit came sooner than expected and I enjoyed a nice ride down at 30-38 MPH. Grateful for no head wind this morning.
Ride up to Tipton Pass (5,124) not bad either. Gentle 6-7% grades. Again, nice ride down!! Stopped at Austin Junction for short break before heading up the third pass. Turned on to US 26 going West and started the 7 mile upgrade. Again not a bad climb also at mostly at 2% to 4% with the last mile or so at 5%-6%. Got to the top of Dixie Pass (5,277) at 11:20....climbing done for the day and quicker than expected. More nice downhill'n!
Stopped for iced coffee in Prairie City, only because espresso shops are few and far between! Beautiful green valley backdropped by the mountains...a constant reminder of more mountain passes to come as we continue West! Biked about ten miles past John Day to Mt Vernon before returning to the Daydreamer Motel, where we are staying for the night.
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| Top of Sumpter Pass 5,082 ft looking at Blue Mountains |
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| Logging trucks back on road, this one heading the other way |
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| Ok, not sure what this government sign means, we're in the middle of nowhere |
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| Enjoying the 7 mile ride downhill |
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| Second summit, Tipton Pass 5,124 |
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| Valley is nice and green |
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| Third Pass, Dixie 5,277 |
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| More mountains ahead, and hazy due to forest fires |
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| Down on the flats heading to John Day, OR |
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| Scenery changes again |
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| Small farms |
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| Horses |
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| Our Motel for the night in John Day, OR |
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