Day 6 John Day OR to Baker City OR

Day 6
John Day OR to Baker City OR
Miles Ridden 80.8
Climbing 5016 Feet
Total Miles 477.1
Miles To Go  3212.3

Today's ride was described as three major climbs over passes that would get us through the Oregon mountains and end the first stage of the trip. The morning was cool and cloudy and unusually for the region quite humid. We tried to shake off the kinks and soreness from yesterday's long ride.

First summit. Rider on right didn't need privacy

Oregon Trail memorial halfway up first hill

Welcome sight for us. Only on big descents

We climbed 2000 feet in about 10 miles and were sweating profusely when we hit the first descent at 35 MPH and everyone nearly froze. After that I understand why the Tour de France riders grab newspapers from the crowds at tops of hills and stuff them under their jerseys.

Evin and Dave on the road

After the three summits the ride settled down and was mostly flat or downhill the rest of the way. Unfortunately the last 10 miles or so was into a stiff headwind that drained us of the last bit of energy.


Baker City was an old stop on the Oregon Trail that had a number of historical buildings and a functional downtown. We had a great meal that night in a brewpub/restaurant that almost made up for the disastrous dinner in John Day

Still riding in agony from saddle issues. Asked Kathie to forward my old seat to our hotel in Boise. In the meantime, I purchased bandages in town and after some  (very) personal grooming, managed to get them to  adhere and cover the worst of the sores for tomorrow's ride. Hope desperately that it helps.

Herman and Ada from The Netherlands