Race Across Oregon training ride DAY 2

Lisa is a self professed "not a morning person", and an early start for her was going to be 8:30 AM.  It took a couple of cups of coffee to get her going in the morning.  ;-)

While Lisa was getting coffee, I talked with the staff at the Blue Mountain Mini Market, our 24 hour gas arrangement for RAO to make sure we were still good to go.
Having taken care of the morning business it was time to get going.

The temperature was comfortably cool, with only a hint of swirling wind.
Lisa pedaled off, continuing the gentle downward slope,with soft verbalizations concerning impending wind issues.

We had hoped to pedal the RAO route to Antelope rather then turn at Fossil as originally planned. It would give her about 140 miles to pedal today, and close the loop for her since she rode to Antelope on last week's ride. We would make the decision when we got to Fossil based on Lisa's legs.

Lisa's spirits weren't as high today.  She was tired, poor sleep related mostly, but also the miles from yesterday still were being felt.  While the general grade was downhill, there were some gentle rollers. The wind was hinting at a busy day, swirling around.  While we continued west, the wind would at times be a headwind, at others be a tailwind, and sometimes even being dead calm.  It all made for a less friendly Lisa, smiles we not as forthcoming today.

It was some awfully pretty country though.  This would be the easiest 45 miles of the 2016 RAO, There are no climbs, and the landscape slopes generally downhill as we follow the John Day River.

Like most of us, Lisa does most of her training rides solo.  I had been direct following her since we turned onto Hwy 395, and it was making her feel uneasy.  She asked me to leap ahead and go for a bike ride.  I jumped ahead to Dayville, and hopped on the bike.

I rode almost 3 miles back and met Lisa, then we rode together back to Dayville, and continued onward. She was noticeably slower today, especially on the little hills that we were encountering. I mentioned it and I think she had just about enough of my over cheerfulness, and told me to just pedal on.  I got on my aerobars and pedaled.  Within a very short distance I had lost sight of her in my mirror.  I pedaled a bit more for good measure, then turned around.  The road had wide shoulders here and good sightlines for the most part.  I knew that Picture Gorge was coming up where those amenities would be absent.

I'm sure that she'd appreciate me behind her again there.

I waved as I passed her and just kept going back to Dayville.

I attended to a call of nature and stopped to read a roadside geological marker.  I guess I should have been more cognizant of time.  She had already passed through Picture Gorge before I caught back up with her. With the holiday traffic, and one less then friendly driver, she was now more accepting of a follow vehicle.

Lisa was wanting a rest break and was hungry.  We agreed that a stop in Mitchell would accomplish both her goals.  I drove ahead to Mitchell to scope out opportunities. Along the way I realized that my information to her about "no significant climbs between here and Mitchell" was not correct. When I reached Keys Creek Summit, I parked and rode back to her to correct my information.

I rolled down the hill for 2.5 miles until I met her, then rode 2.5 miles and 361 ft back up.

She rolled down the fast descent to Mitchell, I drove ahead to scout.
We ended up at a small cafe and each had a chocolate milkshake, and she had tater-tots as well.  Hey, it's all good when you are biking!  The cafe was feeling the crunch of holiday "crowds" and being short staffed.  Our stop stretched much longer then necessary for food, but was just about right for Lisa's rest period.  We sat on the sun drenched lawn and visited.

Immediately after Mitchell we'd be turning off of Hwy 26 and onto Hwy 207. There would be no need for direct follow there, so I jumped ahead to Service Creek, 20 miles ahead, and hopped on the bike. Lisa would have some significant climbing in her first half of this segment, before enjoying a screaming descent to Service Creek.

 I figured I'd have some time.

Rather than ride back toward her (UP that screaming descent!) I decided to ride the more gradual climb toward Fossil.

9 miles out with 1656 ft of climbing, 9 miles back, all down hill.  18 miles total.

With her less than gung ho attitude toward riding today, and the long drive home for both of us, I had decided long ago that I would not pressure her to continue to ride.  When she wanted to stop, we'd stop. She doesn't need any advice from me on how to stay motivated.  I thought she might ride to Fossil then pull the plug, however, when she got to Service Creek and saw that there was a big climb to get there, and a 25-30 mph headwind,  she said it was enough.

I loaded her bike up, and we drove back to Condon and her vehicle.  The weekend of biking would be a bit shorter than planned, but it was still good.  She got to experience the section of the RAO route that she will be racing in darkness, and I got a first hand look at Willow Creek Rd and a talk with the Blue Mountain Mini Market.  We both got home just shortly after dark, rather than midnight.  All in all, a great weekend!

.........Road Bike.....Rollers.............MTB..........Lifecycle......Total
Today .........30................0...................0.......................0............30
Jan...............0................0...............,...0.......................0............0
Feb..........124...............0...................0.......................0...........124
March......277................0..................0........................0..........277
April......559................0..................0........................0..........559
May.........414...............0..................0.......................0...........414
YTD...... 1371...............0...................0.......................0..........1371

Race Across Oregon training ride DAY 1

I designed the Race Across Oregon route this year and the route book. I also made arrangements to have a gas station stay open all night to allow support vehicles to get fuel during the night. I've had this work all completed months ago, but wanted to visit the gas station in Mt Vernon again just to make sure they remembered to stay open for us.  I also wanted to see Willow Creek Rd/Western Raite Lane in person, rather than just street view from RidewithGPS.  My friend Lisa is registered to compete as a solo racer and wanted to see the sections she would likely be riding in darkness.  These two goals came together by us teaming up to go experience the route in person.  She is in full training mode, so I knew I could not keep up on my bike, but I didn't have to, as I would be providing support to her in this empty part of the state. I hoped to get on my bike for perhaps a total of 50-60 miles each day.

I had created a 281 mile route that would encompass 261 miles of the 2016 RAO route that would include the section likely cycled in darkness.
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We would start at Time Station 3, Condon, Oregon.  It would be a 3-3.5 hr drive to get there for both of us, so we planned a 9 AM meeting time. I was driving through the Columbia River Gorge this morning and caught this sight.

 We met within minutes of each other at Condon.  We transferred her supplies to my vehicle and were off on the adventure.  Lisa was pedaling by 9:20 AM.

Cycling on Bayard Rd

Within 10 miles she was climbing away from Rock Creek, a tributary to the John Day River. She would climb 1000 ft in 3 miles. The RAO course is anything but flat.

I got a chance to get on my bike near the nearly non existant town of Eightmile. I drove ahead, unloaded my bike and pedaled back toward Lisa. She was moving quickly aided by a brisk tailwind. We meet up pretty quickly, so I pedaled along with her for a few miles before turning back around.

I would log 11 miles and 750 ft of climbing.

Lisa continued riding quickly and I was doing my best to keep up, and keep her hydrated,  I marked the turn onto Willow Creek Rd at Time Station 4, "Almost Heppner".  It was a pretty section of the route. Unfortunately most RAO racers will be here in darkness.  Lisa had better luck.

Willow Creek Dam

We would be passing the highest point of the 2016 RAO route along this stretch, and as we climbed, the temperature dropped.  As the temperature dropped into the mid 50's Lisa asked for her jacket.

Willow Creek Rd/Western Raite Lane are part of the Blue Mountain Scenic Bikeway.

The State Scenic Bikeway system has really taken off as small communities realize the financial impact of bicycle based tourism.  You might wish to check out this site which details the routes, and the services available.

Lisa had no time for touring today, there was training to be done!  I drove ahead to mark the summit, not as obvious as one might expect, as there were two false summits. I parked and biked back to meet her.  My little ride would entail 10 miles and a little over 800 ft of total elevation gain.

Lisa pedaled over the summit then passed through some open country (filled with elk!) heading toward Ukiah.

We made the right turn on Hwy 395 and Lisa pedaled along Camas Creek toward Time Station 5, Dale, Oregon. The RAO course is remarkably devoid of traffic, but since this was Memorial Day Weekend there were a few vehicles, most pulling travel trailers.  I decided to direct follow Lisa to provide a bit more protection for her.

She reached the confluence of Camas Creek and the North Fork John Day River, crossed the North Fork and then began a short climb up the West Fork Meadow Brook to Dale.  During the race this will be a time station, today it was just a landmark.

She continued toward Time Station 6, Mt Vernon.  There were some ups and downs between Dale and Long Creek,  At Long Creek we made a very quick stop to take her jacket.  While stopped there I heard my name being called.  I had a few friends riding the Old West Scenic Bikeway as part of an organized group, and we just happened to be in Long Creek at the same time!  Lisa pedaled onward, I chatted for a couple of minutes with their tour operator.  She seemed like a high energy helpful type who really was enjoying her job. She runs tours, and has Bike Inn, located in Mt Vernon, a hostel that provides typical hostel amenities to cyclists at a very reasonable price. If you find yourself on a bike and need a place to stay, or a guide to local businesses, contact Christy at 541-620-1819.

From Long Creek, Lisa had a notable climb toward Fox

At mile 132 she reached the summit on a climb that reached 11% then began descending toward Fox, enjoying a bit of a rest.

After leaving Fox she was climbing again. Lisa had lost the tailwind when we turned onto Hwy 395 heading south and with over 140 miles on her legs and the never ending hills, she was feeling it. We were both watching the clock and predicted arrival time in Mt Vernon, our stopping point for today.  We were hoping to get in early enough to get real dinner. At mile 141 she crossed the last summit, and began what would be a 45 mile downward sloping run following Beech Creek and the John Day River. Her spirits picked up as her downhill aided speed increased.

As the sun got lower in the sky, the temperature began to drop.  With the descending, Lisa was getting chilled, so a quick stop to put the jacket back on was made.

We rolled into Mt Vernon near 7:30 PM. We grabbed a quick dinner at a local cafe then after a long search for available lodging including other towns in the county (holiday weekend!) found that the only availability was back at the Bike Inn hostel.  We settled in for a night's rest.

Lisa had pedaled 156 miles with around 12,000 ft of climbing.

I got 21 miles.  ;-)


.........Road Bike.....Rollers.............MTB..........Lifecycle......Total
Today .........21................0...................0.......................0............21
Jan...............0................0...............,...0.......................0............0
Feb..........124...............0...................0.......................0...........124
March......277................0..................0........................0..........277
April......559................0..................0........................0..........559
May.........384...............0..................0.......................0...........384
YTD...... 1341...............0...................0.......................0..........1341