Bike Across America- Day Five

Friday, June 23, 2017

Start: Prineville, Oregon
End: John Day, Oregon
Mileage today/cumulative: 117/411.5
Elevation Ascended: 5,108′
Weather: Sunny, 46° at start; sunny, 80° at finish
3D Video – click for a brief flyover view of today’s ride

Four years ago today Bev and I hosted a trail run with about 75 of our good friends and at the end of it she clipped a veil to her cap and ran down the aisle to our “wedding party” playing “Here Comes The Bride” on kazoos. It was the perfect beginning to our life together and every day since then has been better than the last just because we’ve been lucky enough to spend it together.  My heart still beats faster whether we’re holding hands or I’m riding alongside her on a bicycle. Each day with Bev is the best day of my life. Today was no exception.

After our first four days of below average mileage, we made up for it today. Riding 117 miles with over 5,000′ of climbing required us to be efficient with our time and limit our photo-ops. The route took us into the Ochoco National Forest, through the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, and into cattle and farmland. We rode the entire day with our new friend, Kim Brooks, who is a very strong cyclist and an all around good guy.

Tomorrow is another tough day with a lot of climbing on tired legs. Everyone is looking forward to the rest day in Boise on Tuesday but we still have many miles to ride before then.