Destination: Across The Nation

A Family-Style Epic on the TransAmerica Bike Trail


6/22/07 - Dixie Summit, OR to Vale, OR - 97.2mi / 6:15 / 15.8mph [2730 vert] - Total So Far: 464.5mi

Amy had said that she had met a couple of other Eastbound riders in the campground the evening before. I took a quick stroll in the morning and found them awake and preparing to push on. Jason and Warren had started in Eureka California - made their way up to Bend, and then began heading East from there - joining the TransAm Trail.

They too had suffered mightily on the Keyes Creek Summit climb

They also mentioned that they had met a Swede in the campground who was RUNNING across the country pushing a jogger stroller to carry his gear. He was averaging about 30 miles per day and expected to make it to the East Coast by September. MEGA. Only a few days into our journey and I'm amazed at how many other folks are tackling their own personal quests

After the descent from the Blue Mountains, the ride to Vale crosses a high desert plateau that is awesomely barren & desolate. It's the kind of place that made me think more than once "what the heck am I doing out here"

The first crossing of a timezone by bike in my long cycling career . . . kinda cool!

Passed a sign in Ironside indicating - "Next services: 47 miles"

The ride featured heat as before and significant headwinds for the first time of the trip. These winds were a bit annoying on the plateau but became a curse when I hit the Vale Valley - a stretch that looked to be the easiest part of the day's ride - but turned out to be the hardest. I slogged through the remainder of the ride and linked up with the family package for the night.





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