Atlantic to Pacific Cycling Journey 2011

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Day 54 Sumpter to Mount Vernon

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Miles 61.42 Total Miles. 3793.93 Daily Avg. 70.26

We were anxious to leave Sumpter after a breakfast at the local café. We had a long morning ahead of us. The first 35 miles required climbing three summits, Sumpter Pass, 5,082 ft, Tipton Pass, 5124 ft and Dixie Pass, 5,277 ft. These do not sound like very high summits but once you climb the 5 or 6 miles to the summit you then descend 5 or 6 miles back down which you then start right back up again. Today’s route reminds me of the hill interval on a Lifecycle stationary bike, except we have the benefit of the beautiful scenery and fresh air. Following the final descent we entered Prairie City a quaint restored town from mining days. We stopped for a cup of coffee and continued the final 20 miles to Mount Vernon for the night.

Not much exists in Mount Vernon. We spent much of the afternoon in the John Day library catching up on their computers and wifi service to catch up on email.

Mount Vernon

Day 53 Richland to Sumpter

Monday, July 11, 2011

Miles 70.23 Total 3,732.51 Daily Avg. 70.42 miles
Avg. speed 13.7 Max speed 30.4 mph Alt Climbed 3,665 ft

We departed the campground in Richland at 8:00 am today with a 41 mile uphill ride to Baker City, it was not a steep incline average 1 to 2% over the 40 miles. This was the final climbs out of Hell's Canyon entering more lush green pasture land and spruce trees throughout the landscape. We stopped in Baker City for a cup of coffee and a short break before one final climb and into Sumpter for the evening.

Sumpter is on of the weird unfriendly places on our journey. This is one of those places were the people do not trust the government and the second amendent is the most often discussed topic. The sign behind the bar at "The Miner's Tavern" said it best "Welcome to Sumpter, now leave". At breakfast even Joey was creeped out by the long haired, bearded, mountain men hanging around. Sumpter is not a very welcoming place especially for a small old gold mining town trying to attract tourist.

The gang was out early

the little guy is always left out on his own

Leaving Hell's Canyon

Finally

Monument to the Oregon trail

Baker City street scape plus Kelly

Old mining equipment

Monday, July 11, 2011

Day 52 Cambridge, ID to Richlands, OR

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Miles 71.2 Total 3,662.28 Daily Avg 70.42
Avg Speed 14.0 mph Max Speed 39.6 mph Alt. Climbed 4,249 ft

Stopped at Bucky's Cafe for Sunday breakfast before leaving Cambridge. This was the same cafe we had lunch and ordered the take out fries yesterday. The breakfast was as hearty and delicious as everything else we tried, I would recommend stopping at Bucky's if you are ever in Cambridge, ID.

We cycled out of Cambridge and climbed to 4,100 ft when we could see the Brownlee Reservoir below us. On the opposite side of the reservoir was Oregon. We began a 3 mile decent down to the Snake River and the bridge into Oregon, our final state. The day continued with a series of long climbs as we began to leave the Hell's Canyon, which we have been cycling through since Friday. One final 7 mile climb from Oxbow and a 4 mile decent into Cambridge where we spent the night.

While stopped in Oxbow we met Peter a young attorney from London, England who is riding the TransAm. Peter later joined us in Richland and shared our campsite with us. Nice guy, we enjoyed visiting with him and learning about the British legal system.

Leaving Cambridge

The road out of Cambridge

Riding through Hell's Canyon

Riding up Hell's canyon

Brownlee reservoir

Brownlee reservoir border of Idaho and Oregon

Seems like we have been in Hell's Canyon for days.

That's a dandelion?

Campsite in Cambridge

The final State Oregon

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Day 51 Riggins to Cambridge

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Miles 72.09 Total 3,591.08 Daily Avg. 70.41
Avg Speed 14.6 Max Speed 31.5 Alt Climbed 3,127 ft

Idaho has completely surprised me, what a wonderful place. The natural beauty and wild wilderness is awesome without all the tourists and tourist attractions that come along at places like Yellowstone and Glacier National Park. There are no tacky souvenir shops or theme parks just outdoor nature.

This mornings temperature was a chilly 45 degrees. we began riding at 7:45 with hopes that the sun would warm the air. The steep canyon walls blocked the sun from reaching the canyon floor until it was high in the sky. By that time we had climbed out of the canyon to New Meadows and enjoyed the warmth of the sun as we drank a cup of coffee at an outside table. Once in New Meadow, as the name suggest were out of the arid , hot and dry canyon and in lush green meadows and farmland where the farmers were just cutting their hay.

Our day ended in Cambridge where we had lunch and hung out at the local library to wait for Joey who took Justin the 140 miles down to Boise to catch a flight to San Fransisco where he was meeting his family.

Not only has the scenery and countryside been outstanding in Idaho, but the french fries have been to kill for. We were cooking at the campsite tonight, before dinner tonight we walked down the street for a to go order of fries and fry sauce to eat while preparing dinner. we were in heaven.

Salmon fishing is king in this area

Anyone interested in geography

Interesting if you like moss

New Meadows

Our campsite behind the Frontier Motel

Day 50 Grangeville to Riggins

Friday, July 8, 2011

Miles 57.27     Total 3,518.99     Daily Avg. 70.38
Avg Speed 15.4     Max Speed 39.7     Alt Climbed 2713 ft

Left Grangeville and immediately began a four mile climb from 3,000 ft to 4,500 ft. once we reached the peak we had a 7 mile 7% descent down into Hell's Canyon. The terrain changed from green pastures and farmland to arid, hot and dry as we reached the bottom. the remainder of the day we rode along the Salmon River. For several weeks each year the salmon migrate through these waters. The salmon are running as we ride through and the banks are dotted with fisherman. In difference to most states, Idaho allows camping on any open land. Many of the fishermen have pitched tents along the river.

We reached Riggins at lunchtime and decided to stop in a cafe for something to eat. Kelly tried some elk tacos and I had the elk burger. It taste like beef, but demands a higher price. We rode 10 miles further and set up camp on the Little Salmon River. Justin and Joey joined us and we drove back to Riggins for a whitewater rafting trip. We were offered mild or wild, tough choice when you have three daredevils with you. So we donned wetsuits, life jackets and helmets and took off with our guide, an aging hippie with more hair on his shoulders and back than we cared to see. You may remember from previous post I mentioned how fast and furious all the rivers are in this area. Well here we were ready for a fun and fast ride. The guide did his best to spook us reviewing what to do when the raft flips and how to pull yourself from the freezing water. We were ready. After navigating the first set of rapids he informed us the next set was named 911 Rapids.  The TV show 911 filmed an episode in town after a daring rescue of a raft crew which had flipped at the spot had stranded rafters, hence the nickname 911 Rapids. We made it through all the rapids, got wet, but no one ended up in the river. What a fantastic time.

Following the rafting outing we stopped by a wine tasting on a small lawn in the center of town. We quickly ate our share of fresh salmon spread on homemade bread, sampled the wines and left before anyone asked who ate all the salmon. As we walk down the street I noticed a cloud of smoke and smell of steak. The 7 Devil's saloon was holding their Friday night ribeye dinner. We would not be cooking at the campsite tonight. What a perfect way to end a great day, a big steak, Idaho potato and a Fat Tire.