Day 10 – Northwoods to Hood River

Wednesday July 29, 2015, 60 miles (97 km) – Total so far: 652 miles (1,049 km)

Time riding 5 hours 20 mins Max Speed 29.7 mph Average speed 11.1 mph Altitude 94 meters asl Left at 7:50 am Arrived at 3:30 pm

Last night I met Erich who is nearing the end of a two month tour around British Columbia and Washington. He is a young guy on time out from University, going back to get more qualifications – I guess mid twenties. He was off to wild camp in the forest further out – I had a quiet night at Eagle Cliff, appreciating the cooler night.

Straight out of Eagle Cliff begins the climb to the next pass. It evens out a bit after a couple of miles, but soon it is back. Pretty much all of the first 7 miles is climbing, and the grade is steep at 7-8%. The scenery remains as yesterday and another benefit of that is the shade the trees provide. There is a great viewpoint before the pass of Mount St Helens and having climbed the last section with Erich we spent some time there. Though he is considerably quicker ascending than I am. Then the long downhill to Carson along the Wind River. Soon after here it meets the mighty Columbia River and we are almost back at sea level.

We were at Old Man Pass at 11 am, and at the big river (to use Johnny Cash language) 90 minutes after, but now it was that heat began to take effect. It was 102F I believe, and the ride along the north side of the Columbia River was the toughest of the day. No real ascent, breeze in the face, but tough, on a road with trucks, tunnels and little shoulder.

Then over an illegal bridge into Hood River, which I was actually advised to take. The option is the south side of the river on the Interstate.

That last part of the day had been tough and unwelcome. A slow in the front tyre had made it more troublesome, and the unwelcome hills of Hood River town. Fortunes change though. A while ago I had booked a cheap motel for tonight, as no campsite was near. I needed a new back tyre and googled the nearest bike shop. Dirty Fingers, half a mile away, in 102F. This place as you will see from the photos is a cyclist’s oasis. New back tyre and two very decent local IPA’s, with some great bar chat about my route. Great day.

Early climb up 600 meters to a viewpoint for Mount St Helens

This persons job is a quiet one. There is very little traffic on the road. Maybe something every ten to fifteen minutes.

I chatted for a bit while she had the stop sign on. I was waiting for Erich who had spent longer at the last viewpoint. After a while I realised she was just keeping the ‘stop’ showing so as to keep chatting. A quiet job for sure.

This is Old Man Pass. Very relevant some might think