Day 4 – The calm before the storm

June 21, 2018
Day 4 – Kah-Nee-Ta to Prineville, OR – 60 miles, 3,490 feet vertical

It was a dark and stormy night with thunderbolts and lightning, very very frightening (me, Galileo). But seriously, I was awakened several times with window rattling thunder claps, lightening and rain. I thought our luck with the weather had come to an end.

But somehow, the skies started to clear with the rising sun and with the start slightly delayed until 8am, we were able to set out without our rain gear. In fact, after the sun burned off the last remnants of the storm, the roads dried out and we had another beautiful day of riding. Lots of sunscreen.

Today was a relatively easy-peasy ride of only 60 miles. This gave us a chance to ride easy, socialize with new friends and take lots of pictures.

The real story, of course, is tomorrow – known officially as Day 5, but feared by all: our first killer day of 116 miles with 6,050 feet of vertical climb. We’re continuing east on US 26 to John Day. Oddly enough, the cue sheet is very short: make a left out of the parking lot and continue straight for 116 miles. (I really kid you not.)

Ok, the pity party is over, and I have to get some sleep.  Click on the first picture below for an annotated slide show.  Tomorrow’s post may be delayed.

You can see the rain from last night as morning breaks in the high desert.

You can see the rain from last night as morning breaks in the high desert.

Robin and Judy handle the 8am load and sign-in.

And we’re off, on a pristine morning.

Just exhilarating.

These guys have done this before!

Rolling terrain.

Sweaty photo op.

The Deschutes River

Hi John, any more lyrics today?

Bob is all smiles.

Hi Tom

Another Jeff just flew in from Las Vegas – and boy, are his arms tired.

Photo op

Photo op

Descending underneath the train trestle …

… just before a freight train comes across.

We’ll be seeing this sign A LOT TOMORROW.

We’re in Prineville tonight and John Day tomorrow. You do the math.

Good place for a law firm.

Arlene, Audrey, me and Michael

Almost there…

Entering Prineville – we’re all meeting at the Dairy Queen for ice cream blizzards.

Laundry day at the coin-op.

Laundry day at the coin-op.