But first we had to deal with another COLD night last night. To put things in perspective, Andre's milk froze this morning after he poured it on his cold cereal. Water bottles left overnight were frozen.
Bob Plant and I had breakfast duty. We rose at 5:30 am to heat water, since riders would want their coffee, tea, cocoa and hot oatmeal. After grabbing breakfast, most riders disappeared. Turns out they were huddled inside the tiny laundromat building!
Several riders rolled around 7:45 am to get moving and beat the afternoon wind. I hung back until 8:15 hoping incorrectly that it would warm up and I could take fewer layers. I learned my lesson from yesterday. In addition to clothes worn yesterday, I wore my fleece, which was needed on the downhills big time. Most other riders were similarly bundled up, and only shed while climbing.
A mile out of camp we began the 18 mile ascent to the top of Emory Pass. The first part was gradual with some long straightaways. We then wound through a scenic narrow canyon with high stone walls on both sides. As we got higher there were more switchbacks and the grade was 5% or more at times. Frustratingly, there were two steep descents, which you knew would have to be climbed back up. Near the summit a van carrying oxygen bottles drove by, and I considered waving it down. We started in yucca and prickly pear cactus, and ended in Ponderosa pine forest.
Most riders stopped briefly for water and a snack (see photo of Linda). By standing still quietly, Bob G spotted two wild goats and a mule deer.
The next photo shows Terry at the summit. The view looking east was breathtaking, with ridge beyond ridge beyond ridge (see photo). The Blue Ridge Parkway has similar views, but we were looking much farther, 50-plus miles.
The descent was long and, according to Terry, pedal-free for 8.5 miles. Unfortunately we also had a headwind. We descended nearly 3000 feet in 17 miles to the funky town of Hillsboro. We piled into the Hillsboro Cafe for a snack. Trevor and Sandra, Brits who are also riding the route, happened to join us. Ken, Carol and others ordered bumbleberry pie (blueberry, blackberry, rhubarb and peach). In the photo enjoying their snack are (left to right) Rhodri, Bob Plant, Linda, Ken, Sandra, Trevor and Flynn.
The 17 miles from Hillsboro to camp were several mild hills followed by flats. A strong headwind / crosswind limited me to 20 mph. Go faster and the wind pushed you across the road like it was toying with you. The scenery was desert again.
We are camped tonight at Caballo Lake State Park, four miles west of Arrey. Nice campground beside a large lake with THREE showers and warm water! In the photo, Rhodri is sampling various Shiner beers in anticipation of our next state, two days away. Enjoying happy hour are (left to right) Carol, Bob Plant, Julie, Terry, Linda, Bob Pedersen, Rhodri, Bruce and Flynn.
Julie and Bob Pedersen served up another great dinner of quinoa, diced chicken, fabulous flavored flatbread and salad. To quote a friend, "We eat!"
After dinner we drew cards to determine a new set of cooking partners. I'll be cooking with Flynn, and look forward to his ideas. The next two nights we eat in restaurants so the rotation starts in three nights.
We are in three adjacent campsites. Since some riders (who will not be named) are known to "saw wood" at night, Carol proposed one campsite be a designated snore-free campsite. We'll see how it works!
Bruce
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