Down and Out in Baker City

For the rest of this week, Steve Rothwell will be giving his take on our daily progress. Take it away Steve! 

John Day OR to Baker City OR- 82 miles

All in the family: The Rushtons bail us out in Baker City

The incredible kindness of strangers...

Monday's route was John Day to Baker City, three mountain passes then 30 miles down hill into Baker City.

We tried to get on the road early but didn't quite pull it off. Awake at 5:15 and rolling by 7:15. We are trying to get used to early starts so we can finish before the heat of the day. Today was in the 80s but later in the week we can expect 100s.

We left John Day with a modest uphill climb to Prairie City, a one stop sign town with a block long Main Street. Along the way we saw pronghorn antelope and mule deer. After a quick snack in town we started the 6 mile, 4% climb to Dixie Pass.

Wagons ho! The crew on Dixie Pass

Everybody did great on the climb and equally as well on the 7 mile drop into Austin Junction. By 10am we were eating pancakes, eggs, and bacon at the Austin House Cafe, our last opportunity for the next 50 miles.

A mile down the road we filled out water bottles from a local spring. For many of the guys, that was a first!

Ahead of us were a seven mile and a four mile climb over Tipton and Sumpter Passes, respectively. The valleys between are long meadows with the occasional cattle. Fir tree covered mountains surround the meadows.

Our hard work on the climbs was rewarded with a 30 mile descent along the Powder River into Baker City. The river was fast and clear and shared its energy with us and we pressed hard at over 20+ mph for more than an hour.

Once in Baker City we had to set about the task of finding a place to stay. We tried the doors at a couple of churches with no luck. A bike shop recommended a field near the YMCA pool. We got there to learn that it was city property and camping was not allowed.

When we initially arrived, a lady in a van who was picking up her kids asked our story and responded with a loud "AWESOME"! Next she offered to buy us all dinner. When she found out that we had no luck getting access to the park, she offered us the field at her LDS church a few miles away. The church sits in the heart of the valley. It's surrounded by wheat fields. In the distance is a 360 degree view of the mountains.

Kristen and Michael Rushton and 6 of their 10 kids took us to Pizza Hut and bought us dinner. Kristen was wonderful. She offered us everything from baby wipes, to blankets and pillows. She was genuinely thrilled by the scouts' adventure and accomplishments. Similarly, Michael  was impressed by the kids. He is an IronMan (3 Kona and multiple others) so we got a cyclist perspective of the road ahead.

A well earned bedtime view... 

Sleep came easy on a 4 inch bed of grass. Hell's Canyon lies ahead.

Zero Day Diary: Week one

Note: a "zero day" is a rest day, where we lick our wounds, chill out, do laundry, bike maintance, and prep for the upcoming week. It's also a time to step back and reflect. 

Just off Mackenzie Pass, at the entrance to Central Oregon. The Three Sisters are in the background.  

I love Oregon.  

Both Steve Rothwell and I have been amazed at the hospitality and beauty this state has to offer. At every stop, people have been genuinely helpful and interested in our journey. From Cory who donated the profit from our breakfast in Triangle Lake, to Pastor Barry Campbell who opened up his church gym when we showed up on his doorstep looking for lodging, and all the others who have donated and helped, it's been amazing. Camp fees have been waived, homes have been opened up for showers and laundry, and random strangers we now call friends have hunted down camping space and opened hotel rooms for showering.  Our per scout lodging costs for the first week on the road: $5.00. All the other nights have been comped. Thanks Oregon. This crew will be looking to pay it forward someday!

Traveling in 4D 

As we were rolling along a spectacular central Oregon valley, I commented to one of the scouts that I've never experience the road like this before. He said it was like one of those 4D movies that are featured at museums. It's so different than driving. When you pass an orchard, there are bee hives, and the bees slap off your helmet. Pass under those high tension power lines, and hear the electricity spark off the lines. Feel the irrigation water spray as massive fields are watered. Smell the Pondersoa and creosote and feel the air dry out as you descend from the mountains to the desert. 4D, indeed. 

Eating like a truck driver (or 16 year old) .

At the Sidewalk Cafe, Mitchell Oregon. The steaks were huge. Steve and I devoured them. It paired well with our pre dinner milkshake!

After week one, I feel a bit like Guy Fieri of Diners, Drive Ins and Dives . My bigger fear is I might look like him if I keep it up. When you are riding this hard, if it's not bolted down, you want to eat it. During week one, we've been eating it, but I do get a sense of balance returning. 

Living in the moment 

Our campsite neighbor Chaplin Bruce L Williams of the Desert Eagles. The nicest guy in the world. 

A lot of us say we want to live in the moment, but for the first time in I don't know how long I feel like I  truly am. Where are we staying tomorrow night? I have no idea. What lies down the road? Besides what I see on our maps I have no clue. And that is an awesome feeling. 

I can't wait for week 2.  

Wheels Up and Good Omens

Packed and ready to go  

After 7 months of planning, training, meeting, debating, presenting, responding, war gaming, packing, fundraising, and yes a little bit of praying, the panniers are packed and adventure is set to begin. 

Finally. 

Steve Rothwell (assistant leader #1) and I are flying out to Portland a day ahead of the bike crew. Waiting for my 5am pick up from Steve, Lyn  and I sit on the front porch, saying our pre dawn goodbyes. 

It's a very odd feeling kissing your wife goodbye knowing that it's a 3,900 mile bike ride until you reunite in Wrightsville Beach, come mid August. 

 Looking up, one of the Owls that calls our yard home sat quietly a mere ten feet away, watching us in the dark. It stared at us as the Rothwell's car arrived, never taking flight. Lyn  looked at me and said, "Now that's  a good sign."

RDU 

Steve and I toss the bag of crew gear on to the scale. I comment to the attendant, "I paid for 50 pounds of gear, I wonder what this bag actually weighs?"

Looking at the scale, we all smile.  49 pounds. Another good omen. 

Wheels up!

As the plane lifted off precisely on time, I looked out the window writing the first word that comes to my mind:

 

Calm. Now that's the best omen of all.

Training update: They're ready!

The crew enjoys a break while riding to the highest point east of the Mississippi.  

Hardcore cyclists know the names well: Mount Mitchell. Hwy 80. The Blue Ridge Parkway.  Sections of road that offer tough climbs, exhilarating descents, and spectacular vistas along the way. After completing our two day training event that featured 8,000 feet of climbing at grades on 7-9 percent with full panniers, one thing was clear: The crew is ready!

Hwy 80: Marion to The Parkway, with a basketball? 

I never thought I'd get dropped on switchback riddled Hwy 80 by a cyclist that had a basketball strapped to his bike, but it happened. We must have been quite a sight lumbering our way up to the Eastern continental divide. Total climbing for the day was 3,500 feet. 

The crew celebrates their arrival to the eastern continental divide. 

Day two: Mitchell.  

After spending the night at an idyllic campsite along the Toe River, the crew departed for our 27 mile ride to the summit of Mount Mitchell. The milage may sound modest but those in the know understand that all but about 7 miles of this ride is uphill on serious mountain grades.

The final five miles to Mount Mitchell is humbling, as the pitch never ceases and ranges from seven to eleven percent. Many a cyclist has been forced to walk to the top, but not this crew. All finished strong under their own power, to the cheers of the Memorial Weekend crowd. 

What a day. Riding along Hwy 80

On the way to Mitchell. Yes, that's a basketball making the ascent.  

Who needs a camp chair when you can do the lean? Taking a break along the Blueridge Parkway. Mt Mitchell looms in the distant background. 

Atop Mount Mitchell. Well done.  

Training rides

Fully loaded and ready to roll

It's time to get serious! If you live in Chapel Hill, you may have noticed members of our cycling crew crusing around town on bikes that look like they are loaded and ready for a Zombie Apocalypse! Our rides include full panniers, tents, and yes the requisite basketball strapped to the back for that quick pick up game. 

With a mere 4 weeks until departure, our capstone training event will be a Memorial Weekend trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway, where we will take on some serious grades, including an ascent of Mount Mitchell. Look for the after action report on this final training event before we ship our bikes to Oregon. 

Oh, and I'm also practicing blogging from my iPhone (including this post) so we will see how it goes!

The Route: From West to East

We have been spending a lot of time analyzing routes, and we are locked in on Trans America Trail, with a couple of route modifications that cut the milage down to 3,900 miles (from 4,300).

The big news, is we will be riding West to East, from Oregon Coast to the North Carolina beach. Here's why:

--It's hard to believe, but the western mountain grades are actually easier to ride (long ascents and descents in the west at a more moderate grade, vs constant short up and downs at steep grades in the east).

--Going west to east will increase the odds of getting prevailing tailwinds.

--We will be able to spend some sight seeing time in Yellowstone earlier in the trip, thus creating a more relaxed environment for the overall trip completion.

--The simpler logistics of riding home (no bikes to box, transportation issues, etc) will allow for more days on the road to complete the ride, if needed.

--We will be able to book scout airfare in advance, lowering cost. Additionally parents will see the crew off at RDU, and thus welcome the crew home at big beach party in North Carolina, again lowering costs and logistical issues.

--It's the traditional way to route the Trans America Trail. It's like being a Northbound thru hiker on the AT.

Meet The Long Haul Trucker

It's time to admit it: I'm a bit of a bike geek.

So a good deal of late night research time has been going into what would be best bike for the BikeLoud tour. One bike keeps leaping to the top of the list: Surly's Long Haul Trucker (the LHT). Here's a typical review from an adventure blogger:
 

"If you want to know what I think of my Long Haul Trucker than consider this: we travel all over the world and when people ask me what I miss most from home I always answer “my bike”, then Kathleen proceeds to roll her eyes…

So, If you are in the market for a new touring bike then take a look at the legendary Surly Long Haul Trucker. This bad boy was built for the sole purpose of carrying you and all your goodies comfortably and efficiently. The bike sets the standards for what a touring bike should be, affordable, reliable, and most of all, a blast to ride."

Cyclists are really passionate about this bike. What makes the LHT so good? Allow me to geek out a bit:

1. The LHT has a really long wheel base and a low bottom bracket. What does this mean? Stability at high speed with heavy loads. That's really important. You don't want a bike that starts shaking during 40MPH descents because it's not built for the task. The LHT will stick to the road like glue.

2. Got to love the low gearing. The LHT comes with the lowest gears available, which will allow the crew to spin up those steep mountain grades in a seated position, all day long if needed.

3. It's a steel frame. There's a saying in the cycling world: Steel is Real. A high quality steel frame soaks up the bumps in the road, is a pleasure to ride, and with proper care and feeding it will last forever. It's the standard, and the LHT's got it.

4. It comes with 26" 36 spoke wheels. Again, a bit of a bike geek detail, but 26" wheels are slightly smaller than a typical road bike wheel (700C). This makes them stronger and less likely to break spokes. Don't want to be stuck on the side of the road fixing a broken spoke, day after day? Go with a 26" 36 spoke wheel. They are also more readily available in remote areas if replacement is needed.

5. It's got bar end shifters. Bar end shifters are super reliable. This eliminates a big mechanical risk on the road.

So the bottom line is the Long Haul Trucker is the choice for this adventure, as it will provide the safest, most reliable ride for the scouts.