Sisters - Eugene
103 miles
7 hours and 58 minutes in the saddle
29.7 mph max speed
12.8 mph average speed
Another century ride and what a nice one it has been. This morning we checked with the ranger station in Sisters that McKenzie Pass was open, which it is to cyclists only and today was the last day before it shuts completely for construction work. We felt very lucky. If it was shut we would have done another 120 mile day to get to Eugene. Too much to do two 120 milers in one week.
It was a 15 mile climb to get from Sisters to the summit of McKenzie Pass and 2000 feet elevation gain. It was great riding because the road was free of cars due to the closure. 5 miles from the top we stopped to admire the views of the lava flows and across to Mt Washington and Mt Hood. Jesse, our fellow TransAm'er that we met when climbing Hoosier Pass, came by as we were taking photos of the mountains. It was great to see a friendly face that we recognised. We rode together for the next 25 miles and arranged to meet in Eugene for dinner tomorrow night. Jesse finishes his TransAm in Eugene so we will celebrate it together.
The descent from McKenzie Pass was a 35 mile absolutely fantastic downhill, which made all the hard climbs we have done worthwhile. We dropped 5000 feet elevation and saw the vegetation change from dry, pine clad slopes to lush rain forests. And not a car around to interrupt our 30mph freewheeling down the switchbacks. If there was a lift to the top we would do it again!
Tonight we have reached Eugene and have re-entered civilisation after 5 days in small town Oregon. It is nice to be in a big city where we can get more than a burger and beer for dinner. Tonight we have celebrated our penultimate TransAm ride by having a nice dinner and enjoying a really good bottle of Oregon wine.
Tomorrow we will have a rest day before we cycle the last few miles to the Pacific. We can't wait to get to the beach and see the waves of the Pacific. We are already starting to feel that we have achieved something pretty special.
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2 comments:
Hi Mette
Hope you and Stephen are well. Rupert, Chris and i are at Drew and Bev's house having a bbq and thought we would say hello! Although, we are all inside now as the English weather has performed well again and is tipping it down! The booze has been flowing nicely and we are now watching, Desparado, with a very sexy Antonio Banderos.
So here's a quick update: Chris and i are moving into the house next weekend and have been decorating non stop! We also recently walked up Snowdon! Drew & Bev's extension is going up nicely and the roof will be on in a couple of weeks and Rupert is moving to Frankfurt next weekend for 3 years, he is going to be a European Product Manager for GM.
So, how many miles have you done and how many are there to go? What has been the best place / moment so far?
We were talking today about when you are back in Blighty and thought we could all get together for a big night out.
Anyways, take care.
Love Marie, Chris, Drew, Bev & Rupert xxx
Hello Marie and the rest of the gang!
Good to hear from you. Rupert, congratulations on your new job! Why don't you all come to San Francisco next week and we can go out for a drink! We're ready to party now.
Today we rounded 4000 miles on the bike and our best moment was when we saw the Pacific. The best cycling was downhill from the McKenzie Pass.
Is it still raining in the UK? The sun is shining here :)
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