Day 5 Prineville-John Day

Miles:  116.36               Terrain:  Two Large Climbs and Downhills 
Depart:   6:45  AM      Arrive:  4:24 PM
Riding time: 7:44:25        
Average Riding Speed:  15.0

           Today’s Garmin Download (for cycling data junkies!) 

                            Today's Ride  

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I’ve done about 30 centuries in the past, but none was a challenging as today’s.  There were two large climbs, followed by fast descents.  On the first, riders literally flew down seven miles of somewhat curving roads.  For me, the ten-mile stretch that began at the Ochoco Peak resulted in an unprecedented average speed of 25 mph, which included a peak of 40.5 mph!  That was a little bit scary!  On the other hand, I crawled up the second climb of 1,500 feet in six miles from Mitchell, Oregon to the top of Keyes Summit at a “blistering” 6 mph! In the 116+ miles, I climbed virtually one mile.  It was a tough, but satisfying day.

The day started out on a rather discouraging note—the Oregon DOT had just finished paving the first 15 miles of U.S. 26 out of Prineville using “chip seal”, which involves spreading a layer of asphalt and spreading tiny stone chips on top.  Eventually traffic pushes the “chips” into the asphalt to pave the road.  But when the job has just been completed, it creates a very rough surface for bicycles that keeps riders vibrating along the road.  Since the chip seal appears to have been just put down, when tractor trailer trucks went by we got sprayed with little chips being thrown out by the trucks’ wheels.  I’ve very familiar with chip seal from our six years of living and cycling in Texas—the chip seal paving capital of the U.S.!  Based on today, Oregon may be a contenter for the crown!  Fortunately after 15 miles the chip seal ended and saved our sanity.

It was in the low 40’s when we left Prineville this morning and stayed cool as we went up the firstclimb, especially when clouds came along.  Then the combination of cool temperatures and fast speeds down the mountain made it a   very cold descent for some riders who had not brought their full fingered gloves and a warm layer to put on top.  Fortunately I had brought both, so I was ok, but there were several riders with very cold fingers.  By the time we came off the last descent at mile 85, the temperature had gone up and we had a very warm ride through a primarily agricultural area the last 30 miles from the final sag stop in Dayville to John Day.

This evening at our discussion of tomorrow’s route, which will include three challenging climbs, ABB presented first ever century (a ride of 100+ miles) certificates to three people on the trip.  It’s a nice gesture.  Today’s 116+ mile route made this a real challenge worth celebrating.

Not many pictures tonight because the emphasis today was on getting through in reasonable time on such a long ride.  The shots above show Lake Ochoco and some of the Oregon pine forests on the first climb.  Below is the first sag stop at Ochoco Pass, a shot of me at the second summit at Keysers Creek, and the John Day River.

A final personal note.  With this ride I have captured the Goldberg Family crown for the longest single ride at 116.36 miles.  That title will last less than 24 hours.  My daughter Marci, back in the DC Area, is taking a training ride tomorrow of 120 miles in preparation for the Ironman that she is doing at Lake Placid a month from today!

Tomorrow’s ride to Baker City is only 80 miles, but has three climbs instead of today’s two.  It’s off to bed and ready for another hard day in the saddle tomorrow.