Distance: 66 miles (of 486 total)
Elevation Gain: 5,600 feet (of 25,000 total)
Coyotes Spotted: 2
Raindrops Felt: 0
After three days of dodging thunderstorms (some days more successfully than others) I finally enjoyed a perfect ride. I started from Monument around 6:20 a.m. in an effort to do most of my riding in the cooler part of the day. Breakfast was a rolled up tortilla filled with peanut butter and honey, plus some beef jerky. The longest climb of the day came first, which is just how I like it. I made it over the top before the sun was too high in the sky, and then descended into Long Creek for a second breakfast of french toast, eggs, and bacon.
It was quite a morale boost to be so far along (climbing-wise, anyway) so early in the day, but when I looked up the weather report I found more thunderstorms in the forecast. Looking outside mirrored the report - there was a big thunderhead on the horizon but I couldn't tell which direction it was headed. Not wanting to be caught in, I hit the road again, now heading north on 395.
It only took ten minutes of watching the skies to see that the storm and I were headed in different directions. The rest of the day continued on just like that. A few clouds here and there, but nothing to worry about.
The riding was pleasant, too. The road was smooth and low on traffic, and offered many excellent views of the John Day River and the Columbia Plateau. (Maybe the Wallowas and the Blue Mountains, too, but I'm not sure.)
My body seems to be holding up well, all things considered. As soon as I start peddling my legs feel exhausted, but once I develop a good rhythm the pain goes away. I don't have any lingering injuries or soreness, which is something I'd been worried about before I started. Hopefully that trend continues.
Tonight I'm in a campground on Highway 395 (and posting this from a restaurant in Ukiah). Tomorrow I'm off to Pendleton to visit my grandparents. After that, it's just four more days on the road before I'm back in Portland.
This post is part of a series on my bicycle tour around Oregon. You can find my other posts here.