We started and ended in Oregon but most of the day was spent on the Washington side of the Columbia River. The climate here is dry and hot with a vexing wind from the west blowing along the valley. It made today's ride a bit of a slog, complicated by the absence of stops along the way. We took a couple of breaks just stopping along the side of the road sitting on guardrails or finding shade under a cliff face.
When our heads weren't down pedaling furiously into the wind, we got a chance to admire the imposing valley cut by the Columbia River. Though the highway runs parallel to the river, the ride still features numerous climbs and descents along the sloped riverbank. Wineries, farms, and orchards dominated the area near Umatilla, OR while windmills dotted the cliffs on each side of the river closer to Biggs Junction.
This region's arid climate is attributable to the rain shadow cast by the Cascades Mountains. Cool wet winds from the Pacific condense and precipitate before arriving further inland. As we made our way west, Mount Hood emerged in the distance. As one of the highest peaks in the Cascades, it's snow-covered slopes offered a jarring contrast as we baked in the summer sun. It seems as if all the moisture from the Pacific finds itself stuck there. Sagebrush, tumbleweed, and the occasional stand of Ponderosa pines were all that could survive here.
Umatilla and Biggs Junction have little to offer of note. The former appears to be an farm town with a large Mexican-American community that works the nearby fields in the Palouse while the latter seems to be a truck stop on the interstate into Portland. The mini mart in Roosevelt - halfway between Umatilla and Biggs Junction - provides an invaluable rest stop for thirsty and hungry cyclists. We came across several today heading in both directions.
STAGE SUMMARY:
 |
| Drylands of Eastern Washington |
When our heads weren't down pedaling furiously into the wind, we got a chance to admire the imposing valley cut by the Columbia River. Though the highway runs parallel to the river, the ride still features numerous climbs and descents along the sloped riverbank. Wineries, farms, and orchards dominated the area near Umatilla, OR while windmills dotted the cliffs on each side of the river closer to Biggs Junction.
 |
| Checking out the road ahead next to the Columbia River |
This region's arid climate is attributable to the rain shadow cast by the Cascades Mountains. Cool wet winds from the Pacific condense and precipitate before arriving further inland. As we made our way west, Mount Hood emerged in the distance. As one of the highest peaks in the Cascades, it's snow-covered slopes offered a jarring contrast as we baked in the summer sun. It seems as if all the moisture from the Pacific finds itself stuck there. Sagebrush, tumbleweed, and the occasional stand of Ponderosa pines were all that could survive here.
 |
| Reed cycling up a climb with Mount Hood in the distance |
Umatilla and Biggs Junction have little to offer of note. The former appears to be an farm town with a large Mexican-American community that works the nearby fields in the Palouse while the latter seems to be a truck stop on the interstate into Portland. The mini mart in Roosevelt - halfway between Umatilla and Biggs Junction - provides an invaluable rest stop for thirsty and hungry cyclists. We came across several today heading in both directions.
STAGE SUMMARY:
Starting Point - Umatilla, OR
Ending Point - Biggs Junction, OR
Distance - 85.5 miles
Cumulative Distance - 3080.6 miles
Vertical Elevation - 4056 feet
Counties - Umatilla, OR; Benton, Klickitat, WA; Sherman, OR
Wind - moderate headwind
Having spent four days last week with Neil when he cycled from Missoula, MT to Lewiston, ID, I got a sense of Neil's daily cycling routine and a sample of some mountainous as well as country terrain that he had to navigate.
ReplyDeleteNow with two more days to cycle to reach Astoria, OR the count down has begun for the last few days and great to know that his friend Reed has joined him at the right time to cycle with him from Lewiston, ID to Portland, OR. This should add some vitality to the last segment of his trip.
I want to take this opportunity to thank Andrew, Gabi and Stacey, Lauren & Steve and now, Reed - each one of them on behalf of my wife as well as myself for having accompanied Neil during some segments of his trip.
By providing support during different segments, you have greatly reduced our worries and increased our comfort with Neil's 'across the USA cycling trip'.
Other than Andrew, we have not met any of the above mentioned Neil's friends. So we'd like to invite all of you as and when you can to Minneapolis to give us an opportunity to host you at our place and showcase the Mehrotra brand of hospitality. Take care and be safe.
Dad
(Ashok Mehrotra)