In the fast lane to Onterio

Woke up to best breakfast on tour. (You may think I do this for the bike riding but it's really about breakfast and DQ). Although Best Western breakfasts are usually fair, we were served to order off a limited menu. Had two perfectly done and hot eggs over easy, sausage links, hash browns, toasted English muffins, OJ and coffee. Not too filling, but good helpings of protein and carbs.

We took off with a group of 8 or so today with sunny skies again, 55 degrees and with little wind. I led the group up the first climb of the day and after that hill as we approached the entrance to the interstate, we gradually broke down into pairs and singles but staying pretty much all within sight on the horizon, more or less. (More "less" as the day wore on.) I was not the only one a little anxious over going onto Interstate 84 several times for a total of nearly 15 miles. Concern of how to enter and exit amidst the big trucks and Sunday drivers, and how to avoid the debris in shoulder lane weighed on my mind.

Concern was well founded. Many riders picked up those nasty wires and flatted. I helped a rider just after exiting the interstate pull one out of his tire using borrowed tweezers (thanks, Matt). He was lucky. He went flat after he got off of the highway and was able to repair it out of the sun under an overpass. Others flatted in full sun on the highway and had to make their repairs there.

Temps climbed into the 90's and we were glad to get off the road early today as the ride was only 83 miles or so. The first SAG was at a grassy and shady rest area on 84. We all reveled at having clean restrooms, and realized that other than a smallish climb early in the day, most of the ride was downhill. Despite the interstate leg, up to this point it was by far the nicest early ride on tour yet.

Oh, sure, our delight was short lived as the next 30 miles were hot albeit with rolling hills. We SAG'd for the second time at a waterfront park with no facilities in full sun. Just standing around trying to chow down, stretch legs, and fill water bottles with ice just sapped my energy. After a quick touch up with sunscreen, pop of a few Tylenols, I couldn't wait to get back on road to finish last 27 or so miles. There was indeed a DQ waiting for us just before the hotel. Milkshakes, Blizzards, and cheeseburgers later we were showering and getting ready for tomorrow's hot ride into Boise.

It will be hot but there is a Bar-B-Que waiting for us and it's our first rest day in a new state. hope to pick up a hat and bandana at local bike shop. More on that later.

This trip through Oregon has shown me how huge the state is and how varied the landscape is. Truly breathtaking. I couldn't take pictures that would do justice to the vistas we were treated to on bike. We saw beautiful views of what I think was Snake River or a tributary. Oregon is more than just rainy, cloudy Portland and its environs. You just never know until you go.

Hay there.

More wide open spaces and backdrop of mountains.

Everyone talking about great ride into first SAG.

Rest stop nestled in Snake River valley.

Not sure what the crop here is, but we passed many corn, wheat, and onion fields along the way. All irrigated. Where no irrigation, all is arid and crispy.