Archive For July, 2014

Climb Every Mountain – Sisters Ore to Springfield Ore

Climb Every Mountain – Sisters Ore to Springfield Ore

Almost overnight, without even realising it, we’ve become veteran long distance cyclists. In the early days of the ride people reacted to our challenge of crossing America by bike with surprise. Now the response, particularly from other cyclists we meet, is one of respect and awe. With 4,000 miles under our tyres we’ve been elevated…

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Ring of Fire! Part Two: Ochoco Pass to Ochoco Lake

Ring of Fire! Part Two: Ochoco Pass to Ochoco Lake

After spending the afternoon watching exhausted fire crews shuttle to and from the blaze it’s clear this fire isn’t going to be over anytime soon. We spend our time sat uncomfortably in the gravel shed watching the traffic being turned back and occasionally chatting to one of the firemen or emergency workers at the scene….

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Ring of Fire! Part One:  Dayville to Ochoco Pass

Ring of Fire! Part One: Dayville to Ochoco Pass

The TransAmerican challenge has come to a grinding halt and for the first time the chances of reaching the Pacific are in real jeopardy. We’re stuck halfway up the Ochoco Pass, fifteen miles out of Mitchell in Oregon and the mountain ahead is cloaked in smoke. In the valley to our left a helicopter trails…

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Down and Out – again.  Baker City to Austin Junction

Down and Out – again. Baker City to Austin Junction

The heat is becoming almost unbearable. When we planned this trip we incorporated several spare days into the schedule for unexpected events: repairs to the bikes, injuries, torrential rain, tornados etc. What we hadn’t anticipated was extreme heat. Recently it’s reached 105 degrees in Oregon making cycling – and particularly climbing hills, all but impossible….

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Highway to Hell – Cambridge to Halfway

Highway to Hell – Cambridge to Halfway

With Bucky’s Cafe within stumbling distance of our motel room there really was no excuse not to make an early start this morning and try to avoid the unrelenting heat. So by 6am we were inside ordering hash browns, eggs and sour dough toast. We were also drinking – lots. If there’s anything we’ve learnt…

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