Marvelous Mitchell

To Mitchell, Oregon -- 38.6 miles, 11.5 mph, 2400 ft

We were told we could sleep anywhere we wanted in the church/assembly hall last night, which seemed to provide the perfect opportunity to avoid setting up the tent -- one less thing to do in the morning. The only drawback was that it was still a stuffy ninety degrees inside when we plopped down on our mats in the center aisle of the church. Once we figured out how to turn on the three ceiling fans high over the pews, however, we figured we were set. Ice-loving Meg, however is a bit more sensitive to the heat, so finally, at 12:30 a.m., after hours of tossing and turning, she concluded that setting up the tent outside really was the best option. Kylie, by that point, was curled up outside the front doors on the main landing, so after slapping the poles together and hooking up the clips, Meg coaxed Kylie inside, followed her in, and zipped it back up. Dex was sawing logs inside, and I preferred the hot but dark inside to the cooler outside under the street light.

In order to reduce our dehydration during the day, we’ve been trying to arrange the major climbs in the morning. Today's climb was a 32 mile ascent to the top of Keyes Creek Pass. The grade was thankfully gentle almost the entire way though I was in definite need of refueling with only five miles to go. April and Kevin pulled up a few minutes later and we snacked on raisins, rice crispy treats, goldfish, and April’s favorite, sugar coated candy “orange slices.”  

Bobby, April, Meg and Dex early in the day

John Day River

Canyon through John Day Fossil Beds Nat'l Monument

As usual, the climb set us up for a smokin' downhill. Despite a surging headwind, Kylie and I hit 46 mph! And, because the next climb -- a much steeper 2300 ft. ascent to the top of Ochoco Pass -- started just a few miles after Mitchell, we finished the day with a grand total of only thirty-nine miles! We were grateful for the early end to the day knowing the next two would require bigger climbs and total distances of seventy miles each.

Early arrival in town

Fast friends, Bobby and Dex outside the general store

Best of all, we once again stumbled upon an absolutely fantastic biker refuge, the Spoke’n Hostel. Patrick and Jalet moved from near Salem a couple years ago to take over the small church off the highway on the outskirts of the tiny town of Mitchell and to start a biker hostel to support the ministry.

If nothing else, this bike trip has been an excellent survey of small town America. As we've travelled through these small communities it’s become much clearer how far removed they are from the concerns and interests of big city America and definitely places like Silicon Valley. Farming, ranching, logging, for good reason, are the primary ways to make money. Hunting, judging from the huge numbers of animal trophy heads, is definitely one of the main recreational pastimes.

These areas have lots and lots of land, few people, and few big businesses. I’ve intentionally avoided any political conversations, but rural America voted overwhelmingly for Trump and I suspect the vehement, anti-establishment rhetoric was a huge part of his appeal. Anyone that professes anger and disdain for the big city, big government, and big business was bound to garner huge support.

After filling up at the Sidewalk Cafe in town, we wiled away the afternoon in the cool confines of the hostel. Patrick, we learned, even cut hair, so we took the opportunity to lower Dexter's ears since they hadn't been adjusted since Quito, Ecuador.

April's brother, Keeter, and partner, Patrice, once again made a special trip to see the group, this time bringing a couple jumbo size pizzas. They have been so good to us, and we very much appreciate it. Then, as part of the full service at the hostel, Patrick offered to shuttle the entire group to the Painted Hills just a few miles outside of town in his trusty Dodge van. The red, gold and even black soil is the result of the changing climate in this area millions of years ago. Red soil, high in iron, comes from a time when tropical conditions prevailed and standing water was common. We all marveled at the ease with which we could travel in the van along the highway and up the dirt roads of the surrounding hillsides. I would say it was "no sweat," to get there, but with no AC and the still strong afternoon sun, we actually were still sweating... just a little.

The Boys

The Girls