NW Loop Day 16 - high

Big day, high day. I woke feeling fine, had a cup of tea, felt awful, and began to wonder if I'd ride at all today. After a little breakfast I felt a little better and decided to start and see how I went. It mug be altitude, might be not enough fluids, fortunately didn't seem to be "something I ate".  As I went along I felt better and so the day went well.

That is, if you think going well includes three mile high passes and a headwind. Climbing started as soon as we left Baker City, not step but steady. In fact there was very little steep climbing all day, just a lot of uphill. A few of us formed a peleton this morning which helped get us going.
What one gets with mountain passes of course is a great view and today was no exception. We rode through some stunning country including pine forest that smelt wonderful as we went along.

N was our sag today and was certainly a welcome sight along the way, as was " the van" which alternated with the sag car to support us. N did a great job keeping that watermelon cool.
In the midst of all this steady cycling we stopped at the Austin House cafe for ice cream - surely that would be the best fuel for the final climb. Must be, as we made it.

At the top L and I arranged to end our ride and meet N at the coffee shop in Prairie City. The prospect of another 13 miles in the headwind on the flat was just too daunting, not to mention how my knees were starting to protest. Thought better off not pushing on and preserved them for another day. On the way down we stored to enjoy the view and the intriguing wagon shaped information bay.

So really it was just another day with climbs, views, ice-cream and a good nights sleep at the end. We are however, back in fire territory so a smokey day ahead of us tomorrow.