• Miles today 77.54
• Miles total 209.0
• Elevation today 3451 ft.
• Elevation total 9117 ft.
• Weather – mostly cloudy, just enough to block the sun; wind was at our backs most of the day

Today was about the Columbia River – truly one the most beautiful places on face of the planet!!! It God’s country!!!

For the ride we had a detour for a road closure and we had a mess up where 4 of us got off course (more on that later) We were also road on a major interstate freeway, I-84. So in the end, less miles and less than planned elevation.

The climbs today were from different points. First was longer and a grind to a great view spot. The second was probs 12 to 15 percent gradient that I had no gas for – I paper routed to get to top. For those who don’t know what that means – I used the entire road, going from one side to the other. Just brutal!!! I think I need to super load carb chews for any future hills!!!

So after the second climb the descent was steep and supposed to be 6 miles. Some how (🤪) we ended the descent at entrance to I-84. We all said we know this goes to Hood River, so let’s take it. Thankfully bikes are allowed on this road! But we shorted ourselves-one of those, whoops, that we will catch up on at some point!

We topped of the day by going out for dinner in small groups. 4 of us went to Three Rivers Grill, bellied up to bar for steak or seafood. When in Hood River you need to go here. It was fantastic – great food, great service and incredible conversation with Jimmy the owner and bar keep. Jimmy was a cyclist too who had done Ride Around Mt. Rainier and one of his server staff had done an unsupported ride across America with his wife and 2 boys who rode the entire way at age of 10 and 12. I bowed down to him for a huge journey!

To put it simply- simply marvelous!! Tomorrow is one of toughest days for the ride, long and lots of gain to Condon…eek!