Day 1

The day began around 6:00 am with last minute stuff. The last of the packing, topping off the air in the tires, and consuming breakfast were all accomplished by 8:00.

Kevin:
Departure was at 8:15. We had a beautiful sunny morning with a slight tailwind. As we passed Carrick we were encouraged by Kyle, Samuel, and Christopher who got out of bed early and came outside just for that.

It was mostly good road with nice wide shoulders. Traffic was light in the morning, and we had no trouble making the Grass Lake Rest Area by 11:00.

Patty:
After frantically trying to pick up a prescription without success, I finished packing the car and headed out at 10:30. I caught up with Gavin and Kevin just as they were reaching Grass Lake.

Kevin:
We lunched together with Patty, enjoying the beautiful surroundings and a hungry starling's company. After lunch we continued the trek towards Dorris. Soon we enjoyed a 3 mile downhill 6% grade. After that it was mostly flat. At 1:40 we met up with Patty at the Shell station in Macdoel.

The road was flat the rest of the way into Dorris, but a headwind came up. Still, it was a good first day ride. For the rest of this trip, there won't be another day that has so much climb (from 3500 in Weed to 5200 at the Mt. Hebron summit).

Patty:
I arrived in Dorris (real pop. 850) a little ahead of Kevin and Gavin, so I took a few minutes (literally) checking out the town. As soon as the guys got here we checked into our motel. We are now off to dinner.

Ride stats:
Distance (today) 51.3 mi
Distance (trip) 51.3 mi
Riding time 4 hr 42 min
Average Speed 10.8 mph
Maximum Speed 33.6 mph

Tomorrow will be an easy day. The goal: Klamath Falls 23.7 mi.

Until later, Patty, Kevin, and Gavin