Day 7 - Down to Hell’s Canyon 😱
Day 7 - Dayton, WA to Clarkston, WA - 66 miles - 2726 ft of elevation gain
Have I mentioned that I like going fast down hill?
We pulled out of our hotel just after 8am and were quickly met with a 5 mile category 4 climb. There is nothing like a steady climb in the morning to wake the heart and get the blood flowing. The reward on the backside was a glorious descent with a slight headwind. The no pedal challenge was issued, but this girl didn’t want any of that nonsense. We are going to need a lesson in descending, because some in the group passed me and then slowed up causing me to brake (what gives with that?). I reached just over 40mph on the long journey to the bottom. The wind rushing through the helmet, legs and arms tight trying to hold an aero position… it makes all of the effort to get to the top fade into a distant memory. I say this now with these manageable climbs, I may sing a different tune after “the big one!”
The scenery changed from wheat farms to a few cattle farms and larger barren mountains. We’ve managed to not have too many flats so far (like maybe 7), and most of them were found in the morning before we left the hotel. Today we had two flats mid-ride on two different bikes. I think we are having a tube patching party tonight.
The next big category 4 climb came around mile 40, well we started climbing right after the first descent, but it didn’t get serious until about mile 40. I’ve found if I can just get into a rhythm and keep the same cadence, then I can just keep climbing. Our lunch stop was at the top, which was extra motivation to keep pedaling. I was so ready for a stop, the fuel was on empty.
After a meal of pbj, cherries, chips, and cheddar fish, I was ready to roll. This descent was longer and steeper. So much fun! I reached 41.7 mph, I had to brake a little because of those other bikers. Some in the group got over 45 mph. We also had someone experience wheel-wobble and had to pull over to get it to stop. I don’t have any pictures or video from the top of the descent because I was too busy holding on and enjoying the ride. I’m fairly certain we can ride bikes in heaven and descend without worrying about wheel-wobble or crashing, sign me up!!
Today ended 7 straight days of riding and tomorrow is a rest day. This means we get to stay in one place for two nights. At 3pm we gathered in the parking lot for a bike cleaning party. Then it was free time, which some used for laundry and some went swimming. We ordered Thai food for dinner (that also had burgers on the menu for those that didn’t want Thai or Chinese). I was ready for some veggies!
Tomorrow we will explore Hell’s Canyon and maybe do some other fun stuff (you only live once, right?).
