String of Friends

(Kent and I wrapping the day with a flight of wine) Mileage 62.5 (the GPS got weird at the end. I didn't include that. Watch the video and you'll know what I mean) Video:  https://www.relive.cc/view/vrqokAzkxyq Map:  https://ridewithgps.com/trips/91829482 Tomorrow’s Destination: Twin Falls The world works in mysterious ways. I am sitting in camp at 9:15 typing after a long conversation with Mark Greening from Seattle who lives less than a mile from my house and knows folks I know. I was feeling down after Kent Scott, one of my best friends pulled out of campsite 11 at Three Island State Park in Glenn’s Ferry. It’s hard to say goodbye when you know that you probably won’t see a known face for weeks. And then the universe provides. (The start of the ride) Another reason I was out of sorts was that I crashed my bike on a sandy / muddy road leading out of Boise. I was OK and my bike was OK. I ate some Sour Patch Kids as a reward for surviving with only mino...

(Boise art) Mileage: Zero Tomorrow's Destination: Glenn's Ferry Just a short post to say that I'm waiting for icky weather to pass over. I found some re-routing will make up the time for the delay. I am antsy to get back on the road, but this is better. It aligns with my time in Pocatello with its wifi and a family gathering back East. I'll be able to take part virtually. I can't wait to get back on the road! Kent is taking the day off and will meet me in Glenn's Ferry to hang out. I'll also transport my gear so it should be a quick ride.

(Biking the Literal Oregon Trail) Mileage: 81 / 22 Videos: D13 https://www.relive.cc/view/vdORMZezErv D14 -  https://www.relive.cc/view/vAOZDZy84yq Maps: D13  https://ridewithgps.com/trips/91425400?privacy_code=BXfOJQtitjlEQILM  D14  https://ridewithgps.com/trips/91522767?privacy_code=uN3EzmzS99ZV3B9Z Tomorrow’s Destination: Kent and Cathe’s couch. This a two-fer blog covering May 27 and 28. I made it to Boise with a planned rest day to follow, but the forecast has thrown a wrench into my plans with Sunday having 100% of rain. The only route for me to take involves miles of gravel roads that will be muddy and slick. My bike can do dry gravel, but doesn’t handle mud so well. I’ll stay here Sunday and leave Monday. Today, I made the most of the situation and rode 22 miles before Kent and Cathe drove me back to their place. I chose a new route that will make up a day. My new stops are Glenn’s Ferry, Twin Falls, Lake Wolcott State Park, and then Pocatello. ...

(In Brogan's City Park. Find the yellow bike) Mileage: 74 Tomorrow's Destination: Boise and Kent and Cathe! Video: (the pictures aren't in the correct locations!) https://www.relive.cc/view/vRO7g4NgoyO Map: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/91329052?privacy_code=ADwvX0iYyiuawa Today was a grind and tomorrow will be too, but I have some of my dearest friends at the end of the ride and a rest day. I lucked out because there was a chance of thunderstorms but I didn't encounter any. I was scared of getting stuck in the open in the most 'service free' ride so far. Also, I got hot.  (Ready to leave) I packed up fast because the t-storm chance went up after 11. I got out at 7! Mike and Kathy probably wondered if I was a dream. I quickly made it to the town of Unity where the woman running the only store found their last breakfast sandwich for me. Despite plenty of literal signs that we didn't agree on politics, she wished me a happy ...

(No yellow bike here) Mileage: 58 Tomorrow’s destination: the Bates Motel in Vale (I’ve heard the showers are great) Video: https://www.relive.cc/view/vrqoky82ryq Map: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/91246944?privacy_code=3kysgZf0VEGAgWWm “Just turn left at the white church”. That’s what Phil, the person who collects Grant County’s dead was telling me about how to find the short cut to Unity Lake. He was spot on and here I am. Phil does the job because it needs to be done and he’s willing to do it. In a small county he often knows the people who have passed making it a sad duty.  (The Strawberry Mountains) I just had a great chat with Mike and Kathy from Puyallup. They asked for this blog so if you are reading, HI! Mike manages the Mountain View Edgewater water system so that another public service connection! They’ve been on a swing through Utah and are heading home. Safe journeys! The day began with parting ways with Jim who’s headed west. I told him to stop...

Mileage: 62 Video  https://www.relive.cc/view/vrqDAw5oVLv Map  https://ridewithgps.com/trips/91156109 Before I start, I need to issue a correction. Yesterday I said I met my first cyclists. What I should have said is that I met my first touring cyclists. I’ve met wonderful cyclists every day of the trip. Sitting on the picnic table at Clyde Holiday State Rec Area listening to the traffic on US 26 go by my campsite. It’s 7:27 and I have 3 minutes left on my Good-To-Go Mushroom Risotto to go. The huckleberry wine from David Hamilton Winery in Mt. Vernon is helping to pass the time. I was hoping that Chad from the Spoke’n Hostel would pull in. We’d planned to camp at the fairgrounds in John Day, but the aforementioned David Mitchell said this place is a lot nicer. I sent Chad a message via Instagram (I followed him) but I didn’t have his phone number. I borrowed a pen and paper plate from the camp host and put a sign that said “Chad -> TJ” on the campground’s road ...

Mileage: 20 Video  https://www.relive.cc/view/vLqekoXQMdO Map  https://ridewithgps.com/trips/91062150 (Note my bike)  I am typing this in the bicycle paradise of the Spoke’n Hostel in Mitchell, Oregon. Janet and Pat run it as a haven for cyclists on the Trans America route (the first route mapped by the Adventure Cycling Association). It is a true labor of love. It has 12 bunks with a couple of private rooms. Everything in here is gear (ha!) for cyclists. It would be a great place for a rest day and it just so happens I am doing a ½ rest day. I only did 20 miles today. I got here around 1:30.  I had not seen another long haul cyclist until I hit the painted hills and by the end of the day I have met six. It’ll be interesting to see if I see more along the way. It would be nice to have company for a bit. The Trans America parts ways with my route about a day and a half from here. It goes the more scenic route to Baker City. I am tak...

Mileage: 53 Video https://www.relive.cc/view/vRO7gPkm1yO Map https://ridewithgps.com/trips/91076004?privacy_code=gcv2qPYuFdxRMEol Down in Priest Hole. Was a difference a day makes. Yesterday, I was kinda pooped. I was more than happy to keep to myself and not introduce myself to the drunk 20 somethings in the Buckhorn Saloon or the women playing cribbage at the next table. I was sore worried about the next day. Side note on Condon. It's still an ag town, so I wonder where the hotel fits in.There's an offshootf Powell's! I hope it thrives. (Main Street) (The Condon Hotel) (Powell's Condon Branch) One theme of this trip is not to get to attached to plans. I was going to ride to Mitchell today and spend tomorrow visiting the John Day National Monument on a rest day,  but I realized I could camp along the way at Priest Hole, visit the Monument along the way for not technically a rest day, but a slow day. I only have to bike 18...

Mileage 55 but with 5700' of climbing. Video: https://www.relive.cc/view/vE6J9yDpngO Map: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/90885769 I left the Columbia and I am now in Condon (which autocorrect always helpfully changes to Condom). I changed my route from the gravel of the Oregon Outback to wheat. So much wheat. There is a lot of wheat between the Deschutes and Condon. There's also the deep Cottonwood Canyon. I decided to stay in a hotel. I love old hotels and Condon has a great one. The day began with a canyon warm up climbing out of the Columbia Gorge along Fulton Canyon. At the top I saw my first wheat field. I would see a lot of wheat this day. My next stop was Wasco which had a small grocery that made a great egg salad. I sat on the bench outside the post office and watched folks doing their errands. I had a couple nice back and forths with a couple. There were a lot of people heading into the store. I think Saturday is when people come to...