Day 9 – An Easy Day

By Mark Heggestad
OK – it wasn’t that easy, but it was the easiest day we have had thus far.  We biked a mere 41 miles today.  Not only was it one of our shortest days, but there were no mountains to climb, just rolling hills.  The wind was usually nonexistent.  The temperature ranged from 50’s to 60’s, and the sun was shining.

We rode from Baker City, OR to Richland, OR.  The first half of our ride was rolling hills dotted with cattle grazing.  In the second half or our ride we entered Hell’s Canyon, which commonly has temps of 100 to 110 degrees in summer, but was a beautiful mid 60’s today.  All day we were surrounded by mountains in the distance, but did not climb any.

The picture below is from the first half of the ride.  Note the road stretches as far as the eye can see.  Also note there is no shoulder.  But more importantly, there is zero traffic.  We experienced miniscule traffic today making for a very peaceful ride.  I had the tunes cranked as we pedaled through this beautiful country.

A Long Road!

The next picture is from the second half of the trip.  During this segment the road went from straight to winding and followed the Powder River.


We followed the Powder River for about twenty miles today.
The road we biked is visible just to the upper right of the river.

The last picture is of little significance other than it reminds me of a story about my sunglasses.  What do cattle and sunglasses have to do with each other?  Let me tell you.  I saw these cattle along the road and decided to stop and take a picture.  Why, I’m not sure.  I grew up on a farm so its not like these guys intrigued me.  They did appear to take some interest in me so maybe I just wanted to connect.  I took my sunglasses off to take the pic and laid them on my bike seat.  Seven miles down the road, Springsteen cranked loud, the scenery as mesmerizing as always, and then I realize it.  I'm not wearing my sunglasses anymore.  I thought briefly about turning around (they are new) but several tough hills now laid between the glasses and me.  So I called Bruce who would be heading our direction with the camper.  “Bruce, I have a favor to ask. I think I may have left my sunglasses lying on the ground by a red gate somewhere between mile 12 and 14.  If it’s not too much trouble could you keep your eyes open for them?”  How he found them I have no idea.  Now that I look at the picture, it isn’t even a red gate.  Over and over and over I need to thank Bruce for his amazing support.  Thanks Bruce!

Forgot my sunglasses




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