Day 3. Kah-Nee-Ta, OR 65 miles, 5,150 ft climb

One strategy of the ride leader is to hold "the thoroughbreds" back so that they don't get so far ahead of everyone that it's hard to keep tabs.  It's fine for everyone to ride at their own pace, but he encourages the slower riders to set out earlier than the fasties.   Terry is probably in the fasties group, but he hates not getting an early start.   They hit some serious roadwork and DOT wouldn't let them ride through it, so they all had to pile into the vans, bikes on top, for a three mile detour.  That doesn't sound like much, but it took 3 miles off the first hard climb, so some people weren't complaining.

OOPS--Road Work.  Bikes On Top

Riders Inside

 Here's Mike's description of the terrain and the ride: "Today was to be our first real taste of the mountains and fortunately we got a great view of Mt Hood and other snow covered peaks in the surrounding area.  We were expecting around 5000 feet of climbing and we got just that...and it started about a half mile from the motel.  The terrain was up continuously for the first 13 miles with pitches ranging from 3-6% from Welches to Government Camp but with the interruption in the middle they only climbed about 8 of the first 13 miles. Even with all the climbing, the riders enjoyed the pine canopy, mossy rock formations, bear grass, and rhododendron as they pedaled their way to the summit. The scenery was beautiful all day and it was hard to believe that we were on the same ride, on the same day, or even the same planet at each of our SAGs.  One was in the lush pine forests near Mt Hood and the other was out in the desert...and they were only 20 miles apart.  If they didn't get enough climbing during the day, the hill to the motel may be the steepest we climb before we get to the east coast."   They got to stay in a pretty luxury resort, but they were warned, "they're not all like this".

Terry En Route to Kah-Nee-Ta

Riding by Mt Hood

Awesome Scenery

Terry, meanwhile, began to have some mechanical problems with his gear shifter during the ride and he was unable to use his two lowest gears.   He was still able to make the climbs without any real trouble, but he's worried about what happens when they get to the really big climbs.  The tour mechanic identified the problem and began working to fix it.  He made a few adjustments and called ahead to a bike shop in Boise, so if he can't fix it completely, they will be on call when they get there.  Terry was concerned about it but was rolling with it, so to speak.