most isolated area I've been riding through so far. No phone reception
anywhere, but at least each tiny town has a grocery store.
And by the way, I'm still in Oregon and will be for a few more days. I
have also just noticed today (yes, again, I'm real slow) that the guys
in the bike shop in Corvallis did some weird wiring on my bike: they
asked if they could switch it so the right lever controls your rear
brake and gears, and I think that's the way it is on my racing bike so
I said ok. Then I figured today that while the right lever does indeed
control the rear gears, it actually controls the front brake... Huh!?
So route 26 took me over Ochoco pass, which wasn't as bad as I
expected in terms of climbing. Around the pass is Ochoco forest, a
green oasis after the desert like landscape yesterday and the rest of
today. I stopped for a brief lunch break in the valley before the
second pass. From there, it was only another 6miles and 1300ft
elevation so nothing too bad. However, I set off for the second pass
just before 1pm when it was about as hot as it can get. It was
probably over 100F, ie 35C and up. It took me nearly an hour to cover
the 6miles, including 3 water stops! After that, it went downhill for
30miles, through the John Day fossil beds (no fossils anywhere to be
seen) and Picture Gorge. All very dull!
So after 110 very hot miles and about 10litres of water, I got to the
absolute hinterland town of Mount Vernon. They say they have wireless,
but it's not working so you won't get this for a while- here's hoping
I'll find a Starbucks soon! Oh yeah, I have also found a new favourite
drink, vitamin water. Delicious artificial stuff packed with a few
good things. Between that and all the gatorade, my mouth will be
rainbow coloured soon!
Sent from my iPhone
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