Day 6 (June 25th) - John Day to Baker City, OR (81 Miles), 3 Summits

Day 6 was billed as the toughest ride of this stage of the trip.   First, because it is the day following the Day 5 ride of 118 miles (which most are still recovering from) and it also has 3 major climbs over Dixie Summit, Tipton Summit and Snall Summit, all three over 5200' (pretty tall for Oregon.   So we were all pretty nervous about taking on another tough ride right after the John Day.

While the 3 peaks were each difficult (the first was the hardest), it got progressively easier and in the end it turned out to be a great day. Here are some highlights. 

Following the Oregon Trail on Day 6.  Today we are following the Oregon Trail (Rt 26E).   Here is a picture of a big Conestoga Wagon commemorating the trail at the base of Dixie Mountain Pass.   Our crazy bikers (including me) are lined up to pull this Wagon over the pass.   We didn't make much headway, but we were trying to have a little fun before the big climb up Dixie Mountain.

A parting view of the Cascades.  Here is a shot looking west at the Cascade Mountain Range.   We won't see the Cascades again as we head  East.   We had great views of Mt Hood, Mt Jefferson, and the 3 sisters, all of which can be seen when you fly into Seattle and look South.   How beautiful they are from the ground. 

The First of the big climbs looking back at the Cascades.

Heading up Dixie Summit.  What a view of the Cascades

Now for the big down hill.

On the Road to Tipton Summit.  This old farm has been here a while, perhaps from settlers who passed this land while traveling the Oregon Trail.

Taking a Break on the Way to Tipton Summit.  Some bikers are natural climbers.   My partner Barry (pictured on left) is a great climber.   He stands up in the saddle and off he goes.   He has given me some climbing lessons on how to spin up the mountain (vs pushing the pedals).   I'm getting better with each climb.   I will need to get better to get over the Rockies (coming up in two weeks).  

Golf anyone?  Mike Munk (our trip leader) with 5 iron at the Summit.  So, here we are approaching the summit and I caught our trip leader who has stepped out of the SAG wagon and found a spot to practice his backswing with a 5 iron.   Mike rides with us every other day.   Now we know what he does in his spare time, golf.   Ha!

Cattle Ranch at Snall Summit.  This is gorgeous country here in Central Oregon.   Beautiful ranches, White Mountains in the distance.

A SAG stop along John Day Lake.   Here we had Subway Sandwiches, how great after a long day of climbing.  Thanks Jon Lynn!

The John Day River (along the Oregon Trail).  Everything in this part of Oregon is named for John Day, and early pioneer and settler.   Here is the fast flowing John Day river with some Black Angus cattle enjoying the shade.

Baker City, Oregon.  Here we are coming in to Baker City after 3 long climbs and 82 miles.   We were fresh enough at the end for Barry to set up a pace line an fly into town after 9 hours of biking.   Where does all this energy come from?

The John Day Tower in Baker City, OR).  Here is the 7 story John Day Tower in Baker City.   What an impressive Building!

Arriving at the Best Western - A Yoga Class?  We arrived at the hotel at 3:45, just in time to join our riders in a yoga class led by Leslie.  Hard to believe this group had the energy for a 3 summit ride of 82 miles and then time for some yoga.   After a jacuzzi, dinner at the Best Western (great food and lots of it), we hit the sack ready for Day 7, Baker City to Ontario, OR, 84 miles, all downhill!   Yippee, no climbs tomorrow.   More Later, ME