Crossing The Cascades

This photo of my bike was obtained at great risk to life and limb! Yesterday was one of the toughest cycling days of my life! I rode a total of 46 miles and about 32 of them were straight uphill with 60 lbs of gear! Every time I kept thinking I was getting close to the top I'd round a corner and it would just keep on going up, up and up! At one point my front tire blew out sounding like a gunshot (probably from the altitude and being stressed by laying the bike on its side) so I had my first road repair of the trip to contend with on top of everything else. Still, I was surrounded by beautiful scenery and the smell of all the pine trees reminded me of Christmas. In fact, at one point there were reindeer circling overhead - or maybe they were buzzards, I'm not sure since I was nearly delirious. Anyway, I eventually got to the top and was FINALLY screaming downhill with the wind in my face. I then found, in the middle of nowhere, a very unexpected and lovely lakeside resort with an open restaurant. What a contrast to the rest of the day! I can't imagine what the front-desk hostess must have thought seeing me sweaty and gritty and walking into this swanky joint. But, somehow, this grueling day ended with a gourmet dinner and watching the sunset over a beautiful mountain lake! Go figure. Today I'm in the town of Sisters, OR where they are hosting the 20th annual Sisters Rodeo. The town is packed solid so I may not find a campsite here. We'll see what the rest of the day will bring.... Total mileage so far: 282.

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http://www.livestrong.org/grassroots2008/steveonhisbike