Day 3: Wallowa Lake to Elgin

Today’s Highlights:

Today’s ride had some of the best scenery of any ride I have done. My day started at 5:00, with breakfast at 5:30 in the dark with temperature in the mid 30s. People are actually quite cheerful doing this. I started the ride at 7:00. It was 40 degrees and very cloudy. It stayed cloudy all day and also remained very cold for cycling. I never warmed up until the nice hot shower in camp around 1pm.
Otherwise, it was a beautiful ride. We traversed the east side of Wallowa Lake and went through the quiet town of Joseph. Outside of town are farms with rolling hills of green and gold, with a backdrop of the Wallowa mountains. We passed through Enterprise and a couple other small towns which also had nice farms and ranches. One stretch of the ride followed along the Wallowa River through a canyon with step high walls.
The first 46 miles we’re mostly downhill, which was a relief after yesterday’s climbing. After having lunch near the Wallowa River, we climbed the one big hill of the day, a steady 6-mile climb. It wasn’t bad, and again had nice views of cliffs, mountains and farms. At 53 miles, we enjoyed another 8 miles of downhill into Elgin Oregon. An entire class of elementary students lined the sidewalk cheering and waving flags as each cyclist rode by. All the communities are very supportive of this event.

Pictures Of The Day:
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Statistics:
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Check out Cycle Oregon Classic Day 3 on Relive! https://www.relive.cc/view/1845989243

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6 Responses to Day 3: Wallowa Lake to Elgin

  1. Jane says:

    Sounds beautiful! Jessica and I were in that area for vacation a few years ago. Isn’t the town of Joseph quaint?
    -Jane

  2. Rick says:

    John,
    I see it didn’t take long for you to start your biking trips out there.
    Sounds like a great ride. But your descriptions of waking up to the cold make me thankful I am in a warm bed. Next week heading over to Yosemite …..will be staying in a tent…..so maybe will get my share of waking up to the cold.
    Keeping riding !
    Enjoy !
    – Rick

  3. Chris Aylward says:

    Like Rick said, that cold sounds killer. I’m glad that when I get to to ride at 7am it’s already 70℉.
    Stay warm. Cold muscles are the number 1 cause of injury – not lack of stretching, as many believe.

    • John Aylward says:

      Yeah, Florida cycling is quite plush! It amazes me that there are 1515 cyclist here and they all love the challenge. There are many amazing cyclists who blow by me up the hills. I can pass many in the first 10 miles of a climb, but after that I’m more average.

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