Happy Independence Day!
Turned out to be a fairly good holiday for me except for my now front tire woes. Get to that later. Great morning ride into the Hell's Canyon area. It's the deepest gorge in the country, however, you can only see that part of the gorge by boat. A few dams were installed to make these huge reservoirs where people had all their fishing and ski boats out. Big spot for salmon and steelhead trout.
Once I reached the snake river and the canyon, I basically just put the brakes on and coasted since the road followed the river for 12 miles.
There was a road that headed further up 23 miles to another dam so I thought since I had only 17 miles left for the day i would try and see if I could see more of the canyon. Disappointing in some resepect since it didn't get anymore scenic than the pics above. Cool anyway. Ditched the 40lbs of gear for the detour since i was turning around. Man, could i fly!
Now the tires. You would think an idiot like myself whose been biking for some time now would know how to change a tire by now. As i sit here alone while my hosts are out at a dinner party, I ruined 4 tubes! Mostly, by pinching the tubes trying to get the damn tire back on.
For those of you who don't ride, common occurence but this is ridiculous. So tomorrow, god willing, I will be able to make it 50 miles to the next town on a patched tube with 2 back up patched tubes where I can pick up some more new tubes and perhaps get some more tips on to really do this correctly. i really should have done this supported like have a big van follow me around to fix things and shlep all my shit!!
Met some eastbounders on the last few miles I had left. They were heading out to MSP and Wi area. The beauty of talking to riders going the other way is finding out where are some good places to stay. Turns out that there is a self proclaimed "trail angel" up ahead who opens his home with outstanding views of the Cascades!
Despite my angst with the tubes, been lovely staying with the Colliers in Halfway. Showered with bar soap this time, shaved, they let me do laundry, and have a guest bedroom, and apparently good ole Tom is making pancakes for me in the morning! They felt bad leaving me alone and not cooking for me. I let them feel bad:)
Tomorrow and for the next 4 days, B-lining it to Bend where I hope to get on a raft and be a little lazy.
1 comment:
hey shaun...call me retarded but it's taken me awhile to figure out this system to leave a comment. blogging is something very foreign for me...anyhow, i love all your postings!!! you have such a way w/ words, so...poetic:) but truly wanted to wish you a happy 4th and can't wait to read and hear more details as they unfold. both mike and i send you our best.
btw have you been keeping up on wimbledon. i can't imagine a tennis freak such as yourself has let this "little" bike trip interrupt your other love in life:)
talk to you soon!!!
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