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