Ok to make things even less effort for me, I’m not going to repeat info that’s in the Strava. This workflow is already awkward as it is!
Weather: sunny and hot. I had pretty much run out of water as we reached the summit of Ochoco Pass. Thankfully, there was a campground exactly at the summit, so refilling with (icy cold) water was easily done. Nearly running out of water is becoming a recurring theme, so I’m going to start filling up my 2L water sack. It’s amazing how much you lose through sweat in this weather.
Road conditions: very nice. The ride through Ochoco National Forest was very low in traffic and pleasantly scenic, although a little monotonous after a while. We spotted some horses which I later learned were actually wild - apparently they just roam around having a good time. The views coming out of the summit are hard to capture in words. I think if I were just driving through, it would absolutely warrant a “wow.” But biking up the pass and flying down the other side really makes you feel that the views were earned through hard work. Maybe it’s the contrast between the suffering of the climb and the feel of the cool breeze on the descent.
The roads and forest before the summit.
The view after the summit.
Food: standard campground breakfast, trail mix / jerky, and fried chicken burger + salad + IPA in Mitchell. Delicious!
We stayed at the Spoke’n Hostel in Mitchell, which is a hostel intended for bikers, as you might be able to guess from the name. It’s a place that I can’t do justice in words. Instead, I’ll leave some pictures, and encourage you to stay here yourself on a bike tour through Mitchell some day.
