BCI - Ride Reports, Miller

Ride Reports List

by Jim Luparello

This ride was billed as the “Switzerland of America”. I would bill this as Survivor Oregon. The pioneers survived many hardships on the historic Oregon Trail. I couldn’t duplicate their (nor want to) hardships, but this ride was a challenge to my body as well as my mind. We would be traveling 417.5 miles for seven days and climbing an amazing 26,390 feet with no lay over day.

Growing up as a kid the word Pendleton Clothing meant quality and warmth as it does today. Now I would be actually starting the Oregon ride at its birthplace Pendleton, Oregon.

We arrived by car on August 13 at the “Worlds Round-up City” (also famous for the Pendleton Round Up). Checking in we met familiar faces from other Oregon and Idaho tours, this was just like homecoming.

The following BCI riders met at the Pendleton Convention Center for the beginning of our adventure: Dennis Miller, Penny Poormen, Dick Bird, George Davis, Wayne Broadhag, Tommie
Kozlov, Cliff McDonald, Norm Moyer, and myself.

Our first riding day started from Pendleton to Elgin, elevation gain 5,530 feet in 69 miles. We would be passing through the Umatilla Indian Reservation. We also would be riding up two summits. We followed the byways over Blue Mountains, which later in the story will explain how they probably got their name.

Day two was Elgin to Joseph 54 miles and only
3,050-elevation gain. Joseph would be my favorite town of the tour. We would be following the Wallowa River. Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce tribe fought to stay in this Valley, now home for many bronze foundries and galleries. No matter how small the town is you can still wet your whistle, we stopped at Lostine Tavern (for coke naturally). Our campsite today would be at Joseph High School on green grass (yippee). Over the last four tours this tour had the best

campsites. When temperatures are hitting 100 degrees don’t leave your bicycle in the sun unattended with your computer still attached. My crystal cracked in three places (try explaining that for Warranty repairs), but it still was working.

Our ride on Tuesday was Joseph to Halfway, 72 miles with an elevation gain of 5,420 feet. We would be passing the spectacular Hell’s Canyon Scenic Byway. Unfortunately it was filled with smoke making visibility poor. Coming into town was a small group of young ladies selling lemonade to save the Halfway Fairground. These small towns live and survive by working together in a wonderful community spirit.

Wednesday, 8/17/05 Halfway to Baker City was 55 miles with an elevation gain of 3, 370 feet. We are now near the Oregon Trail. It’s hard to imagine settlers walking these trails and crossing the rapid rivers. There were actually wagon ruts still visible after all these years.

Baker to Crane Flats with 53 miles and elevation gain of 4,100 feet. Now we are in gold mining country where yellow gold drove many people to seek their riches. We would be going through Sumpter State Heritage Park and viewing Sumpter Valley Dredge. The dredge is huge and you could visualize the damage it created while it was running.

Crane Flats was an event to remember. There is no town there, but just a brown meadow with grasshoppers, coyotes and bears. That night was my most miserable night ever. The temperature got down to 21 degrees and when I woke up at midnight I couldn’t get warm. The next morning the bikes were covered in ice, water bottles were frozen, and everyone was cold.

Crane Flats to Ukiah was 65 or 43 miles with an elevation gain of 1,800 feet. Norm, Penney and myself chose the alternate route, which turned out to be very beautiful. Coming down a hill at 30+ miles an hour a deer darted out in the road. Fortunately, I was able to stop as the deer shot up the steep hill. This alternate route with flat landscape had just enough climbing. Penney Poorman asked me how the Blue Mountains got their name? I didn’t know but Penney reasoned it’s because it gets so cold up here you turn black and blue (works for me).

Our last riding day was Ukiah to Pendleton, 50 miles with a gain only of 1,300 feet. With little traffic and renewed strength this would be an easy downhill to Pendleton. I crossed the finish line under a sea of colorful balloons, reflecting on the hardships I thought we should embrace everyday and make the most of it.

On Sandy Green’s tour you can expect home style cooking, hot showers, full support, new friendships, unique experiences, and most of all they are very reasonable. Remember focus on experiences rather than things.