June 19th – Rockport to Mazama, WA
Why we rode 78 miles today!
June 19th Statistics – Rockport to Mazma: Distance – 78.8 miles; Average speed – 10.2 mph; Beginning elevation – 222 feet; Ending elevation – 1,957 feet; Total ascent – 6,578 feet.
Today’s highlights: Easily (but not quickly) completing the hardest day of biking for the entire tour!!!!; Little traffic and wide shoulders on route; Sunshine at 1 pm for the rest of the day; Magnificent Cascade Mountain views (see today’s photo post); A 17 mile downhill (5%-7% grade) at the end of today’s route – going 30+ mph for 30 minutes was a rush (I am not going to share my maximum speed for fear of giving Nancy a heart attack); Arriving at the Mazama Country Inn with energy to spare; Burning up 6,500 calories; Relishing the 38 lbs I lost and did not have to carry up the mountain; A long hot shower and dry clothes at the end of the day. Not a highlight: 47 degrees, overcast, and misty to begin the ride at 8 am; being wet, cold and sweaty for 4 hours, sweaty for 4, and freezing for 30 minutes as I plummeted 17 miles down from Washington Pass; a 40 mile climb so I could do the 17 mile downhill.
Steve Prichard's 2012 Cross Country Bike Tour 
If you are through the hardest day, you have your journey in the bag! I love the smell of the Pacific northwest woodlands. I can vividly imagine your route today (except the task of cycling 40 miles uphill!!)
June 20, 2012 at 6:55 am
Hi Steve – that’s an amazing climb!! I’m showing my daughter, Isabella, too. Very inspiring! XO Cousin Barbara (Diane’s sister)
June 20, 2012 at 1:18 pm
Barbara, it is great to hear from you. If you have not heard, Nancy & I will be in LA for a wedding on November 8th. We are coming early so we can see you and Floyd. Enjoy the summer.
June 22, 2012 at 8:33 pm
Hi Steve, Mike and i arrived home from Rancho Sana Fe this morning and couldn’t wait to check on your progress. Love your blog and read every word (you will never need training wheels!) The pictures turned out fantastic on this end (if u weren’t sure), keep the faith baby! Cheryl
June 20, 2012 at 1:22 pm
Hi Cheryl, thanks for your comments. Give my best to Mike.
June 22, 2012 at 8:36 pm
Wow! The Cascades are amazing! We are sizzling and you a freezing in the snow! Love your photos, honey. Thank you more please.
Love Nancy
June 20, 2012 at 10:07 pm
Lovely photos. Miss you tons! Lucy
June 21, 2012 at 3:55 pm
Thanks for the kind thoughts – my best to all the family.
June 22, 2012 at 8:38 pm