Day 18--The End

Caldwell, ID to Boise, ID
Distance 26.3 miles -- Total 826.3 miles
Time 2:14:43 -- Total 69:17:34
Elevation Gain  574 -- Total 29,420 feet

As Dirty Harry said in Magnum Force, "A man's got to know his limitations."  I have always thought of that quote in the context in which it was delivered--as a subtle put down. Today I am appreciating it as a basic truth. My limit for bike touring is 826.3 miles.

After considering this for several days, I have ended my ride in Boise. There is no deeper explanation other than I have not been enjoying the ride. And I am too old to spend two more months doing something I'm not enjoying. Plus my bike told me it was time to quit when I had yet another flat two miles from my destination.

I am happy I did this. It has been a great adventure. I feel I got what I wanted out of it. I rode for more than 800 miles; I crossed two mountain ranges and climbed more than the height of Mt. Everest; I explored a part of the country I had never visited; I reconnected with two old friends, Doug and Jean Ann; I saw the total eclipse; and, I met a lot of great people, some of whom are following the blog.

I only have one regret, the students in Ms. Young's 5th grade class won't get to follow along and play where's Melvin anymore.

For everyone reading, thank you. I hope you have enjoyed it. And to everyone who has commented, whether on the blog or through email (especially Marsha Berry who sent me an email every day), I cannot tell you how much that communication has meant to me. If you have any final thoughts you would like to share, post them here or email me at mdubee@comcast.net.

I have rented a car and will spend several days making my way back home. The good news is, now North Dakota is back on my itinerary. I will post pictures from the rest of the trip on Instagram @mgdubee. Here is one last picture at the finish.

A final thought, none of this would have been possible without the support of my wonderful, caring, understanding, patient wife Kristine, whom I love dearly.

Signing off for #melbikesamerica.

Day 17

Farewell Bend State Recreational Area, OR to Caldwell, ID
Distance 57.0 miles -- Cumulative 800
Time 4:46:15 -- Cumulative 67:02:51
Elevation Gain 2263 -- Cumulative 28,846

Another day, another lengthy climb out of a valley. This one was about 4.5 miles, followed by some undulating terrain and and a couple more climbs that were two to three miles long. When I crested the last one I was treated to a view of the eastern side of the Blue Mountains. It was the final pass.

As I descended, the land changed from high desert covered with sage brush to green farmland. Still a bit of low rolling hills but nothing like the last few days.

My 7:15 departure didn't get me much since I crossed into the Mountain Time Zone about three quarters of a mile after I left the campground and suddenly it was 8:30. Right after lunch in Ontario, I finally left Oregon behind and entered Idaho.

The day was reasonably uneventful until about mile 40 when I encountered a new torture, no doubt designed by some internal combustion loving, pedal hating, highway engineer. You have probably all encountered rumble strips on the side of freeways. The indentations intended to alert a driver should they drift onto the shoulder. I like these. They give me a sense of comfort as I ride along listening to approaching vehicles gain on me. But today the shoulder suddenly had these:

 

These troughs were cut every 40-50 feet. Seriously, if I had filings, they would have rattled out. I resigned myself to dealing with this for the rest of the day but after about four miles the shoulder thankfully returned to normal.

I had another flat. This one was frustrating because I was less than half a mile from the hotel. I could see it. I ended up walking the bike the rest of the way rather than sit in the sun to change it.

I am in Caldwell, ID, where apparently no one eats out on Sundays. I eventually found a family diner about a 25 minute walk away. The server there was kind enough to direct me to a bar not too much further down the road for after dinner. It seemed normal until they fired up the country and western karaoke. Well, it is the west.

Tomorrow I have a short ride to Boise to prepare for the next phase.

Day 16

Baker City, OR to Farewell Bend State Recreational Area, OR
Distance 50.5 miles -- Cumulative 743
Time 4:08:52 -- Cumulative 62:16:36
Elevation Gain 1306 -- Cumulative 26,583

Here's what the ride looked like today:

About seven miles into the ride I saw signs for road construction ahead. That could be an issue depending on lane closures, what's parked on the shoulder, etc. At about 9.5 miles the sign said "I84 Closed to Bicycles." That seemed like a problem. Fortunately, the good folks at the Oregon Department of Transportation, or whatever they call it, had established a Bicycle Detour Route. I spent about 15 miles on a nice, almost empty side road. 

The terrain today was generally downhill, but I was not able to take full advantage because around mile 25 I picked up an absolutely brutal headwind. I found it far more frustrating than the uphills. 

I still made decent time and had a late lunch in Huntington, a town which seems to be thriving on Oregon's decision to remove state legal prohibitions on the growing and selling of certain substances. 

The campground is about four miles past Huntington, and situated along the banks of the Snake River. Here's the view from my campsite (actually a nice little cabin). 

After settling in, I headed over to the showers. As I walked by a nearby campsite, one of the guys asked where I came from and where I was headed. I told him and he promptly invited me to stop over for a beer. Once I was cleaned up, I went over and had a Rolling Rock, or three, with Tim, Kevin, and Kevin's son Joseph. They are from the Boise area out for some fishing. They gave me tips for places to eat and/or drink--nice guys. 

Tomorrow I finally leave Oregon, and the Pacific Time Zone. I am heading to Caldwell, ID, about 55 miles from here. 

Day 15

La Grande, OR to Baker City, OR
Distance 45.9 miles -- Cumulative 692.5
Time 3:55:20 Cumulative 58:06:44
Elevation Gain 1391 -- Cumulative 25,277

Today started with another climb but nothing like yesterday. It was 4.5 miles. It seemed a little steeper than yesterday, but maybe my legs were just tired.

Early on I had my first ugly experience directed at me. I heard what sounded like a friendly honk and looked over to see a guy in a pickup truck making a decidedly unfriendly gesture. Why? I was 8-10 feet away from the lane of traffic, bothering no one, particularly not him since he was driving in the left lane like a jerk weed. I channeled the penguin from the first Madagascar movie, "Smile and wave boys, just smile and wave."

The scenery was nice but not spectacular. At some point I noticed some actual mountains to the south.

I spent a fair amount of the ride hoping the road didn't turn that direction.

I had another flat. This time on the trailer. But because my best friend Jay at Burley had given me two new wheels, all I had to do was pop the wheel with the flat off and pop the new one on. The whole process took two minutes and most of that time was digging the wheel out of my bag.

A bit further I saw this sign, which I thought was one of the more interesting road signs I have ever encountered.

Later I had dinner at the Latitude 45 Restaurant. I hate to admit that it took a while for me to make the connection. The food was good and the staff was friendly. Here they are.

I taught them how to make a gimlet. Sierra, second from the left, has never been on an airplane. She and Ashley, front right, are both natives of Baker City.

Tomorrow I ride to Huntington, OR, where I once again get to camp. I am hoping no sprinklers.