Day 9 - Biking on the Interstate

Day 9 - Tuesday, July 8

Pendleton to La Grande —57 mi, 92 km

I had a good night of sleep. Here in this dry climate the nights are really cool, and I have to sleep in my sleeping bag. We started early in order to prevent that we had to bike many hours in the heat.

We had to climb quite a hill – about 3000 feet over a distance of 10 miles – but it was nice that this was in the beginning of the day. Then it is still cool, and we are not so tired. After that we rode up and down through rolling mountains with pine trees.

The last 12 miles we had to ride on the Interstate. There was no other road, because we were going through a narrow valley, basically a canyon. So we rode on the shoulder of the Interstate and big trucks and semis passed beside us. This part was downhill, so we were going also 50 kilometers per hour.

We are camping here in the town park. There are big trees, so that gives some shade. We are next to the public swimming pool, and we can use those facilities for free, because that is where we use the showers.

I am now working in the public library – it has reliable internet. I still have to do some of my work while on this trip, so a good internet connection is really important. Also to keep in contact with you!

Thanks to my co-cyclist for these pictures!