~BunceMan's TranzAmerican Bike Ride~
Log Entry #8: June 15, 2005
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Day 3: Ochoco State Park to Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site, Oregon. Quiet. All I heard riding up to Ochoco Pass was just that, except for the sound of my bike wheels on the road, the crickets, birds, a rushing stream along the road, and a gentle tail wind at my back. Under those conditions I could ride forever.
Of course, the ride down the other side is always a rush. Almost as fast as cars. But pines and lush meadows with rushing streams turn to high desert sage brush and rocky landscapes. Nevertheless, flowers line the roadsides. And the weather becomes significantly warmer.
I met Peggy in the town of Mitchell for lunch. The towns are small in this part of central Oregon. After Mitchell was another climb to Keyes Creek Summit. Again, another fast descent where I met Lehman from Vancouver, WA. He was biking across Oregon from east to west fully loaded. Against the prevailing winds, he would average 50 to 60 miles a day. We had a chat, exchanged cards, and were on our separate ways.
Other highlights. Last April, Peggy and I drove on Highway 50 across Neveda to see the amazing canyons, gorges, and other geological wonders of Utah (another adventure). We happened on the Shoe Tree on the 'loneliest highway'. It's mentioned in various USA road atlases. Anyway, on Highway 26, I clamped on the brakes coming down from Keyes Creek Summit when I saw another 'shoe tree'. This was different from the one on 50 in Nevada, because someone had tacked on an sign with a clever verse..
High desert landscapes gave way to miles of ranch land. Not much to see, so I plugged in the ipod to finish off the day's ride...
Day 3 mileage: 103 miles