Day 4 (6/26): Vida, OR --> Sisters, OR (102 miles)

Pure frustration and fury is what pushed the pedals up and over the last climb up Santiam Pass. It was nearing the end of what proved to be one of the most trying and difficult days ever....

I had started early from Vida and very eager to start the climb of the infamous McKenzie Pass. It was a solid 22 mile climb to the top with views of amazingness. I was excited. I neared closer and closer to white capped mountains, which for the past 1.5 days had seemed to be sprouting from the lower lying mountains themselves.

I started up the gradual incline of McKenzie Pass knowing that things were only bound to get tougher and steeper from this point on. Elevation changes would be about 5,000+ feet within the next couple hours of biking....and the extra weight on my bike was of no assitance in my attempts to out smart gravity.

Things were fine and dandy, aside from the physical strain, when I suddenly saw a gate. It was locked and stated that the road was closed d/t construction efforts. Damn. I was 11 miles into the climb and now I had to turn around...and then what? Start from the bottom and go the alternate route up Santiam Pass???

Yup Yup.

And that's when the day suddenly went downhill....

I reached the turn off point which I thought I'd never see again and turned onto Santiam Pass route....it was very hot by this point in day, no shade from tree cover, more traffic, and my legs were already burning from the previous climbing attempts. Ontop of that I still had 50 miles to get to the first town....Sisters.

So, I started to pedal, and pedal, and pedal....and was slowing being worn down into the ground by the head wind and unforgiving grade of mountain. Each push of the pedal I kept asking myself who's idea it was to do this thing anyways and so forth. I really can't describe how tough it was and agonizing those miles seemed...partly b/c I've tried to block them out of my mind for the time being. Let's just say, when I finally saw the last switch back that would put me at the top of Santiam Pass I was cursing outloud the whole way at the mountain...when I passed the official "sign" at the top I gave it the middle finger and cruised on down into Sisters....

I coulnd't help but where a face of discouragement the rest of the day...I had climbed well over 8,000+ and my legs were shot. I was drained and in need of a meal, water, and sleep...

As I stumbled towards a Mexican restaurant two friendly looking folks got out of their car and asked me how the riding was going...I proceeded to tell them of my misfortune and they def seemed to sympasize with me seein they lived in this neck of the woods...they understood how steep those climbs could be. Long story short, they treated me to dinner and it was great to talk with about anything and everything. It def made the end of the day worthwhile to say the least. So, after we parted ways I went to the towns park and pitched a tent for the night and slept very, very well.

Anyways, thanks again to Phil and Kris for the great company and conversations!

(above are two pictures...both from the same day for this blog...both pics are of Mt. Washington)