Bike Across America – Day Three

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Start: Welches, Oregon
End: Kah-Nee-Ta, Oregon
Mileage today/cumulative: 65.5/235
Elevation Ascended: 5,150
Weather: Cool and overcast, 50° at start; sunny, 83° at finish
3D Video – click for a brief flyover view of today’s ride (note that a small section of today’s video goes black – maybe aliens crash landed there?)

ABB Ride Journal (the staff blog daily and include photos of riders)

Day three took us from the cool coastal climate of western Oregon to the hot and dry eastern side. We successfully climbed over the Cascade mountain range, circling Mt. Hood and descending into the high desert. Our initial 13 mile climb up US 26 was nice and steady with no difficulty but we were glad for our SAG (Support And Gear) stop at the Government Camp summit. A quick potty stop, chow down a bunch of Oreo cookies, refill water bottles, and we were off to ride a long, screaming descent that was eye-popping gorgeous. The descent was long with a smooth, wide shoulder for about half of it. This included a stretch where there was no traffic and the only sound was our wheels flying down the highway. We eventually hit a  stretch of newly paved roadway but, unfortunately, the Oregon Department of Transportation chose not to repave the shoulder we would normally ride in, so it was pretty chewed up and full of crushed red volcanic rock. We were all happy when we turned off the highway and headed through the desert to Kah-Nee-Ta.

Mt. Hood was the star attraction today but we also got crystal clear views of the entire back side of the Cascades, including Mt. Jefferson, Three Finger Jack, and the Three Sisters. It is rare to see the entire range completely unobstructed and we kept pinching ourselves.

No major issues with our bikes but this is the first day we finished with tired legs. We still have a lot of climbing before we eventually drop down into Boise next Monday, so it’s time to get used to riding on tired legs. Also, the average daily mileage for the entire trip is 81+ and we’ve been below that in each of the first three days. That means a sufferfest is coming. Time to fuel up and get ready!