Fulfilling a Dream (36 years later): Day 74: Halfway, OR to Baker City, OR

Wednesday, August 1, 2012, 55 miles - Total so far: 2291 miles*
* Miles ridden on the TransAm route
Odometer miles - Today - 54.9 Total to date - 2382.0 miles

Two passes to climb - then our last layover day.

The ride out of Halfway began with a climb. Two miles out we started climbing to a pass at 3,653 ft. It was about a 3-4 mile climb that was supposed to have sections of 7% grade. But the morning was relatively cool and it didn't seem too tough that early in the morning.

Richland, 12 miles; Baker City, 53 miles

A view back toward Halfway and the valley from near the top of the climb.

Summit, Elev. 3653

The view down the other side, towards the Powder River Valley and Richland, OR

There was a nice long drop down into the Powder River Valley leading to Richland, OR at about mile 12. We stopped there at a cafe for second breakfast.

The mountains beyond the Powder River Valley.

Second breakfast in Richland, OR - Judy, Wendy, Simon, Paul (hidden), Ubald and Gina

The big problem for the entire day was the newly chip-n-seal surface of the highway. We ran into new road surface yesterday from the start of highway 86 at Oxbow. Several local had told us they were working on the highway all the way to Baker City. We were going to encounter more newly paved road the further we went and fresh chip-n-seal in the last couple of miles.

Road Work Ahead, Next 40 miles

Climbing towards Baker City along the Powder River.

Site of September, 1984 landslide which closed the road and dammed the Powder River. It was 1987 before they completed the current roadway which bypasses this section from above (the roadway we're looking down from).

Glasgow Butte, 4,944 ft. - alongside highway 86.

From Richland the rest of the day was 42 miles with no services. This region of Oregon is high desert with lots of sagebrush, some agriculture and little else. It was another hot sunny day and we had one more climb to do. At about mile 43 for the day we reached another summit of 3,684 ft. - after a ~5 mile climb. This one was much tougher than the morning's climb. It didn't appear to be as bad on the grade profile, but it was hotter, the second climb of the day and the fresh chip-n-seal pavement made for much slower progress.

Beyond the summit we passed the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center about 7 miles outside of Baker City. We had thought of stopping, but when we got there it was a 1-mile, 370 ft. climb to get up to the center. Wendy, Gina, Judy, Paul and I really didn't want to make the climb, but most of us needed water. Luckily, Paul found a spigot at the entry booth just off the highway (which was closed) and we were able to refill our water bottles.

We finished the ride with 7 more miles of chip-n-seal pavement. When we got to the last ~2 miles we reached the point where the crew was working. They let us ride our bikes following the pilot car and the traffic, but it was pretty soft gravel. It was definitely no fun, but when we crossed I-84 north of town we reached the Baker City streets and relief!

The motel is nice and lucky for me it's my turn to have the single motel room. So I've got a room all to myself for the last layover day of the trip. Nice! After I got to town I rode my bike on a bike path along the Powder River to a Rite-Aid drugstore and got the contact lens cleaner I've needed for several days. Nicole and Wendy cooked dinner on tables setup on the sidewalk outside our rooms. Taco salad, yum.

After dinner the TransAm Olympic competition wrapped up with the completion of the trivia contest (which I won) and a very spirit game of musical chairs in the parking lot. Simon won the musical chairs which vaulted him into a tie with Ubald for the "gold medal". I finished next in second place - my moment of TransAm Olympic glory.