I knew today’s ride had one 2,000 foot climb, but I also knew it was a really gentle grade (it takes almost 25 miles to ascend those 2,000 feet!), so it felt like a rest day after the last couple days. I wasn’t taking into account the constant headwind, though! I remember thinking a little headwind might be nice on the hill, to keep me cool. Be careful what you wish for! It became a stiff, cold, headwind, and stayed that way for the rest of the day. I am used to this, though, and just put on some music and sang along.
Just before the very start of the climb, I saw a magnificent cleft in the rocks, and stopped to take a picture (you’ll see it below). Then I saw a car heading into it, and I was really excited, thinking, “I get to ride there!” This was Picture Gorge, and it is really spectacular! Once I got out of this gorge, which had no shoulders and lots of blind curves, the road widened again, and had great shoulders. In general, so far, Oregon has the best roads!
I was originally planning to stay in the Spoke’n Hostel in Mitchell, but I have had a couple really bad nights of sleep, so I decided to find a motel, and, luckily, I was able to! I just didn’t think a social evening in a hostel would be good for catching up on much-needed sleep.
