Biking with Bill

1. 

Four former Cross Country Challenge mates and I left this morning at 6:15 am heacded 81 miles up the road to Baker City, OR. We rode into the rising sun on a quiet Saturday morning. In our path today were 3 major peaks to climb and an elevation gain of 5800 feet.

I felt surprisingly good this morning after yesterday’s “monster” ride. I guess a good night’s sleep does miracles.

Ilkka (MA) , who was born in Finland, joined us after awhile. I noticed a button on his bike bag with the initials: SISU. I asked what it meant, and he said, “It is Finnish for TOUGHNESS AND DETERMINATION”. He explained that it was the slogan of the Finns when in 1939 the Russians invaded Finland, and the small Finnish army held off the mighty Russia for a period of time. It fits Ilkka’s attitude and riding style perfectly.

It was just us and the birds and the grazing cattle on this peaceful weekend morning. The temperature was in the low 40's under clear blue skies...not a cloud. We rode on route 26 East again; accurately named Oregon’s Scenic Byway.

At Prairie City (after a photo of the gang on a covered wagon), we began to climb to the summit of Dixie Mountain at 5277 feet. After a fast, but chilly, descent we then climbed to the summit of Tifton Mountain, and finally to Snall summit.

We rode up and down for a period, and then a steep downhill into the town of Sumpter, often facing a new ridge of TALL snow capped mountains in the distance. This Oregon is unbelievable! We followed the Powder River for 20 miles while pace -lining our way into Baker City.

You “gotta” love a ride with these intoxicating descents and continuous awesome scenery....even if you have to climb for hours to enjoy them!

As an unexpected bonus, we were able to watch part of an exciting World Cup match at the sport’s bar in town where we had lunch (with water). AND THEN... a sanctioned cycling race -a crit- was being held in Baker City. We saw some of the racers warming up for the race through the closed-off city streets, and I talked to several of the young riders about the race in the hotel this evening. A billboard sign at the hotel welcomed the racers and ABB cyclists.

Feelin’ good and happy with my bike that is rolling along smoothly,

Bill