The stars of today’s ride were two big ass hills and some dogs!
The first hill had an average grade of 9%, which felt like 20% on my loaded touring bike. I couldn’t stop and rest because I wouldn’t have been able to get started again. It hurt. A lot. When I got to the summit, my hands were shaking. I stopped for a few minutes for a Clif bar and electrolytes.
I knew there was an even longer hill ahead, and I was dreading it, but this hill was 6% to 7% average grade, and it was much more pleasant. It had a great shoulder, and the pavement was perfect.
After I descended that second hill, I saw a store in Sandlake. I wasn’t going to stop at first, but there was a little dog sitting in the parking lot, so I turned around.
As soon as I approached him, he rolled over on his back for belly rubs. His name is Bruiser. His mom said he was a rescue, and then she said he was stolen!
Intrigued, I waited for the story. He was rescued by one of her relatives, who watched as their neighbors neglected and mistreated him. They lowered him from a window by a rope attached to a choke collar instead of walking him. Finally, the boys stole him when he had been lowered. I don’t consider this stealing. This is liberating.
Bruiser lives with FOUR dogs and THREE cats. All five dogs are sweet natured. The corgi’s name is Tater (he has an unexpectedly good vertical leap), but I forgot the names of the others. The Rottweiler LOVES being pet!
I am staying in a motel in Pacific City. I had a phone conversation with the owner, Geoff, yesterday, while he was walking his dog, so, of course I had to meet his dog. He is also a rescue who had been neglected, and he is also incredibly sweet, and he has the cutest underbite!
