Cycle Oregon XII, Sept. 12-18, 1999
La Grande to La Grande
It lies between the Cascades and the Continental Divide, vast, majestic, beckoning. This is the Inland Empire, a star-spangle expanse of snow-capped mountains and sage-scented dreams. Come join us as we journey through this masterpiece. In seven remarkable days, you'll encounter ancient forests and seamless vistas, trout-choked streams and falcon-filled prairies, soaring peaks and bottomless canyons, valleys so fertile even the fence posts bear fruit. Oregon invites you to bask in its bounty. We promise an adventure you'll never forget.
Cycle Oregon is a bicycle ride wrapped in a vacation, a week-long recreational romp through some of the most magnificent scenery in the West. In a string of small towns along the way, the ride is welcome by the kind of communities that still think the proper way to treat strangers is to invite them to pull over, stay awhile, rest easy. Both on the road and at each night's campsite, cyclists are supported by an astonishing array of services. Cycle Oregon boasts the best of everything, from hot showers to cold beer.
This year route starts in La Grande, Oregon and our route was:
The Brothers O'Brien" was represented by:
Tom O'Brien - a blood brother
Pat O'Brien - honorary brother
David Siskind - honorary brother
Pat lives about 5 blocks from me and has been a honorary brother for 4 years.
David is my friend who rode with me last year when we rode from Seattle to the coast of Maine (see link - coast-to-coast in 98). This year he left his home, Minneapolis, by bike on July 21 for his first Cycle Oregon, although he has ridden many RAGBRAI's (Register's Annual Great Ride Across Iowa). By the start of Cycle Oregon he had ridden 4858 miles in 51 days to get to La Grande. Year to date I think he had around 12,000 miles. I had 4857 training miles in for Cycle Oregon.
My brother, Bill, and his sons, Barry, Brandon and Baron was well as Baron's wife, Jenette, have all dropped out for one reason or another. I hope they will ride again in the year 2000. It's nice to have family along.
David has been very good about sending me postcards on his way to Oregon. Here is a little of what he had to say:
7-23 Luverne, MN. It's been hot 96 degrees, following Minnesota River SW.
7-27 3rd day of RAGBRAI. 608 miles in 7 days, hot and not feeling very peppy.
7-31 West Bend, IA. RAGBRAI is over now heading West, 1023 miles in 11 days.
8-4 Amin, MO. 1476 miles in 15 days, rode 32 miles of hell, busy US Hwy with no shoulder.
8-6 Hession, KA. Tomorrow will be on Trans-America Trail, 1701 miles in 17 days.
8-11 Eads, CO. At 4500 ft elevation, treeless prairie, hot 100 degrees, 2187 miles in 22 days.
8-15 Breckenridge, CO. Mountains, passes of 9404 and 11542 ft, 2488 miles in 25 days.
8-18 Saratoga, WY. 2771 miles in 28 days, more bad Hwy, feeling strong, rain got wet.
8-23 Yellowstone, WY. 3281 miles in 34 days, saw several East bound rides, more rain.
8-27 Sula, MT. 3676 miles in 38 days, lots of mountains, SW MT beautiful.
8-29 Condon, MT. 3863 miles in 40 days, 7 days ahead of schedule, need 160 miles to reach 3000 for August, may take a 4 or 5 day break, from the route, and ride North to the Flathead Lake area.
9-3 Lochsa River, MT. 4214 miles in 45 days, took 4 day side trip to north to near Glacier N.P., weather turning cold.
After Cycle Oregon he continued to ride into Portland.
Cycle Oregon set two new records this year, two overnights in the same place and we left Oregon and rode in Idaho. Note, on Cycle Oregon IX we rode in California. Some highlights follow:
Weather: cold mornings, warm to hot days and NO rain. This was the best weather I have every had on any Cycle Oregon. It was just beautiful with blue skies throughout the day and great sunsets in the evening.
Day-0-La Grande
I arrive early on Saturday morning, parked the car, set up my tent and went to look for David. As I crossed the football field, where we were camping, there he was. He had just arrived. After a hug and a quick up date on how his tour went he setup his tent and we were off to Wal-Mart so he could pick up a few items.
Day-1-La Grande to Ukiah
Day-1, woke up to temps in the 20's. The days ride followed the Oregon Trail ridding along the Camas River and through the forest. As the day warmed up we had one climb of 6 miles. Our campsite for the night was on a rancher field in the town of Ukiah, population 280. The only store in town was selling big double scoop waffle ice cream cones for $1.50, yes I had one.
Day-2-Ukiah to Haines
Day-2, today we woke to a temp of 19 degrees. It was cold and there was ice on our tents and bikes. This would be our most challenging day as the first 53 miles was up hill with lunch at the 55 mile mark. We were all very hungry by the time we got to lunch. There was one snack stop at the 25 mile mark. Today we rode through the spectacle of the Umatilla National Forest and the grandeur of the John Day Wilderness. We reached an altitude of 7280 feet. As many as 800 rides, exact number is unclear, could not finish the ride and had to be saged in (picked up by bus.) It took me over 7 hours to get to camp. I was ridding my touring bike with super low gears so I just ground out the up hill miles. The 12 mile down hill, after lunch, was wonderful. I did past one person who went off the road and was being attended by the medical staff. Haines has a population of 450. Again we camped in a field.
Day-3-Haines to Halfway
Day-3, again we woke with ice all over out gear. It soon warmed up as we headed for the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center on the summit of Flagstaff Hill. A stop at this Center was very interesting. After riding some red rimrock country, and getting our first glimpse of the Wallowa Mountains, we sail down the hill into Halfway, a place so pretty it's founders thought they were halfway to heaven. Today was mostly flat or down hill with one good climb of 6 miles. Our camp tonight was in a meadow.
Day-4- Hells Canyon Options
Day-4, we spent 2 nights in the town of Halfway, population 355. Last night was not as cold as the past nights but there was some ice on my tent. Today we have 4 options, 0, 34, 80 and 103 miles. This would be the signature day for Cycle Oregon XII. David and I opted for the 103 miles as this would take us deep into Hells Canyon. We rode along side the Snake River, on the Idaho side, for most of the way. This would be the second time that Cycle Oregon would leave Oregon. Our ride would take us to 3 dams, Oxbow Dam, Hells Canyon Dam and Brownlee Dam. As you would expect it got hot at the bottom of Hells Canyon. Temps were in the high 90's. You had to be there to see how beautiful this canyon is. Cycle Oregon tried to discourage us and other riders from going out a back the 10 miles to Brownlee Dam by tells us that there was no water out there. David and I had made up our mind that we wanted to ride the full 103 miles so we went anyway. There was water available to Brownlee Dam. It was a great day.
Day-5-Halfway to Joseph
Day-5, today's profile looked scary as there was climbs of 18, 11, 6 and 2 miles. As it turned out only 33 riders did not make it all the way. While we were climbing a lot it was through mostly forest and along side a stream which was cooler with wonderful scenery and of course some great down hills. Soon we arrived in the Wallowa Valley, home of the Nez Perce Indians. Our camp was again in a field that was VERY DUSTY and you had to watch where you stepped.
Day-6-Flora Options
Day-6, we would spent two nights in Joseph, population 1255. The options for today were 0, stay in town or 87 miles, round trip to the town of Flora. Many of the rides decided not to ride and to visit the town of Joseph, visit local Wallowa Lake or take the tram ride up Mt. Howard all of which had bus shuttle service to them. David and I decided to ride out as far as the first food stop on the way to Flora and then return to Joseph so David could mail some stuff home. We got in 65 miles. By the way only a little over 200 of the 2033 riders rode all the way to Flora. There were a lot of lunches left over.
Day-7- Joseph to La Grande
Day-7, our last day and it started with a 39 miles down hill along the Wallowa and Grande Ronde Rivers. But never under estimate Cycle Oregon they will find a hill for our last day. There it was a 5 mile hill and with only 30 miles left in the ride. We average 14.7 mph for the 81 miles. All to soon we were back to La Grande, population 12,415, were it all started 7 days ago. Our camp would be of the football field of Eastern Oregon University. This was the best camping site we had all week, green grass. Most of the riders headed for home but a few camped for one more night. Since David will continue to ride on to Portland I stayed the night so we could have breakfast together. It was time for bed and we hoped for a good nights sleep. This was not going to happen as we had camped to close to student housing and there was a heck of a party going on. We could hear almost every word and 90% of them I can not repeat. The party ending around 2am.
Last day, David packed his bike for traveling while I loaded up my car. We met in town for a very good breakfast at "Foley Station." I said goodbye to David as he headed out of town on his bike and I in my car.
I will met up with David on the east side of Portland and guide him across the city to Vancouver Washington where he as a meeting of his society and will teach some classes on Monday and Tuesday before heading home.
More about Cycle Oregon XII
The ride was great. I met some old friends from past Cycle Oregon's. Many asked about the missing "Brothers O'Brien." The views were wonderful. No rain was outstanding. The camp sites were poor. The food was adequate. I learned a new name for the porta-potties, they are now called "The Blue Room." The T-shirt was poor.
This years slogan was "Slowest One Wins" and was a joke. While I understand what they are trying to say the truth is that the slowest one gets the poorest camp site, is last in line for the shower and dinner.
Nightly announcements were at 7:30pm followed by the nightly entertainment. I would listen to the announcements and the first song from the entertainment and then head for my tent. I could easily hear the entertainment from the warmth of my tent.
Nightly entertainment:
Day-0 The Paul deLay Band - blues
Day-1 Mike Timpy - western band
Day-2 Maureen Andrews & Walking After Midnight - honky-tonk
Day-3 Lily & her Swingin' Boyfriends - Mardi Gras, swing band
Day-4 The Craig Carothers Band - Songs and laughs
Day-5 Border Crossing - mambo mania
Day-6 Linda Hornbuckle - get down, get nasty, get funky
Dinner, main dish:
Day-0 Chicken Quarters
Day-1 Ravioli Primavera with Italian Sausage
Day-2 Oven -Roasted Pork
Day-3 Pit Roasted Beef
Day-4 Spaghetti with Marinara Meat Sauce
Day-5 Roasted Turkey
Day-6 Baked Half Chicken
Day-7 Finish Line BBQ, burgers
There were vegetarian meals available also.
Yes I will ride Cycle Oregon next year.
I rode a total of 530 miles,
MORE THAN YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT CYCLE OREGON
The following is a comparison of the seven Cycle Oregons that I have ridden. All entries are in chronological order. All Cycle Oregons were 7 days in length.
Cost: $295, $337, $385, $435, $435, $559, $579
Total miles ridden: 534, 442, 460, 449, 586, 544, 530
Total hours riding: 39:12, 40:14, 44:07, 35:37, 41:27, 41:07, 43:00
Average miles riding: 76.3, 63.2, 65.7, 64.2, 83.7, 77.7, 75.7
Average hours riding: 5:36, 5:45, 6:18, 5:05, 6:55, 5:52, 6:09
Average MPH: 13.63, 10.99, 10.43, 12.62, 14.13, 13.22, 12.32
Max speed, MPH: 46, 41, 43, 43, 44, 45, 43
Max elevation, feet: 4750, 7680, 5400, 6085, 7680, 6094, 7280
Min elevation, feet: 0, 500, 200, 1689, 2350, 74, 1545
Flat tires: 0, 0, 0, 2, 0, 0, 0
Black gear marks on leg: 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0
Total calories earned*: 29910, 27194, 27841, 26977, 31466, 29807, NA
Total calories eaten*: 20665, 19811, 28114, 27744, 25802, 25946, NA
Average calories earned*: 4273, 3885, 3977, 3854, 4495, 4258, NA
Average calories eaten*: 2952, 2830, 4016, 3963, 3686, 3707, NA
Weight at start: 152, 148, 148, 145**, 150, 147, 149
Weight at end: 152, 147.5, 148, 149, 150, 147, 149
Resting heart rate, start: 50, 49, 48, 50, 48, 50, 49
Resting heart rate, end: 47, 50, 46, 46, 48, 50, 49
Training miles ridden,
May: 0, 0, 0, 546, 867, 1150, 552
June: 156, 109, 250, 517, 1132, 773, 672
July: 251, 330, 299, 817, 971, 901, 995
Aug.: 163, 421, 380, 757, 1451, 1115, 1069
Sept.: 159, 139, 168, 31, 115, 76, 303
Total training miles: 729, 999, 1097, 2668, 4536, 4015, 3591
Total money found: $2.10, $1.66, $2.02, $0.95, $0.37, $0.14, $1.30
Total bandannas found: 4, 3, 3, 1, 0, 1, 0
Rain days (riding): .5, Tr, Tr, 0, Tr, 2, 0
Sunny days: 6.5, 3.5, 6.0, 6.0, 4.0, 3.0, 7.0
Overcast days: 0, 3.5, 1.0, 1.0, 3.0, 2.0, 0.0
* = As calculated from "The Diet Balancer(r)"
** = I was sick the week before this ride so my weight dropped to 145, my weight before getting sick was 149.
Tr = trace
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