The climb was bad enough but the down hill side was pretty bad too this day. this is a bit long so if you are in a hurry scrowll to the next post.

Several years ago on a tour going west. I Climbed Mc Kinziee pass in oregon through the cascades. Id been on this climb once befor and in good weather it is a beautifull but strenous climb.

Started about 7am in Bend Or. headed to the town of sisters at the base of the climb. Weather was warm sunny september morning. Ate pancakes in sisters checked the weather report and it was a chance of light rain twords evening. Decided to make the climb and should be up and over well befor dark.

There isnt much in the way of services for about 70 miles so I had extra water and food this day. The first 8 or so miles got my attention real quick but soon settled down into the rhythem of the climb, sweating and also enjoying it at about mile 15 the wind changed and a cold frount came through I was now climbing into a strong cold head wind. The temp kept dropping and the wind blew harder. There would be many more hills, but This was really the last mountian pass i had to climb on this tour. There had been many befor that were much higher but somehow this one was the hardest.

The weather kept getting worse it began to drizzle and the cold wind in my face I stoped and put long fingered gloves on and the skull cap. The wind was so strong at times it would push me twords the sifde of the road and it was a long way down. SO i figured to un clip incase i got blowen off I could allways jump off the bike instead of being blowen into traffic or worse yet off the side of the mountian.

Wind picked up again i was moving at the break neck speed of about 2-3 mph a few gusts of wind almost stoped me in my tracks so I figured I would get off and walk a bit. YOu know what? walking into this wind was as hard as riding so i just hoped back on the bike and rode best i could. the drizzle turned to sleet as i gained elevation the road was a bit slippery and i was thinking about the down hill run. The sleet hurt as it hit my face I have no idea why i kept going other than the fact there was really no place to get out of the weather and being cold and wet i felt better if i kept moving so i kept climbing.

2 1/2 hrs into the climb I know I am near the summit the wind is picking up and its like this mountian is giving its last effort to stop me for some reason i started to scream out loud, " I WILL NOT BACK DOWN" my legs were tired and sore i was wet but staying somewhat warm from the heat generated by climbing.

I reached the summmit and thought my troubles were over i could coast down the other side and get to Mc Kinzee bridge and hopefully find a warm motel room.

Befor i started down i thought about changing into dry cloths but whats the use they would be wet in no time too and then id have nothing dry to put on later. I starterd down the first thing i noticed was my speed was picking up and the road was slippery because of the sleet also my breaks didnt seem to be working all the good from all the water and road grime on the rime i guess. but as i droped alitude the sleet changed back to rain my glasses kept foggin up so i had to take them off but had to keep my eyes squinted to keep the rain out. I was really cold now thinking it too wet to be able to get a fire going i needed to get out of this weather somehow. Kept going Now im shivering and thinking this isnt good , saw a sign for a campsite so i went in that direction thinking maybe something good will happen there when i got there i saw it was a primitive site no facilities and deserted so i got back on the road realizing id just wasted presious time id need to get off the mountian befor dark and because of the overcast it would be sooner than later.

My mind was blank then i saw a sing that raised my hopes and sperits a sign for a lodge in the middle of nowhere. I raced another 4 or 5 miles to get there I walked in and people looked at me like i was crazy for being out in this weather, I asked about a room knowing that this place would be expensive as hell but i didnt care i was too cold and knew i needed to be inside tonight. The fellow at the desk said words that i can still hear clearly today "SORRY" we have no rooms we are booked 6 months ahead of time i asked about staying in the employees quarters angain he just shook his head and said "SORRY" we cant allow that I really couldnt believe what i was hearing wasnt even allowed to set up in the garage. He did offer me a hot cup of coffie on the house. I sat alone at a table thinking that if anyone ever showed up at my place looking as cold and miesierable as i did i would surely find them a place to get out of the weather. but I just told my self "everything for a reason"

I changed into a warm dry set of cloths and looked at the map saw a few more campsites along the way, but i had to get going or i wouldnt make it off the mountian befor dark. I left I was mad but that is more than likley what kept me going because a few times i thought if i stoped I would lay down and die of exposure. rode into a couple more primitive camp sites and passed on them because i was dropping alitude it was starting to get a little warmer but the rain was really comming down now

Thought id stop and try to hitch a ride many new 30-40,000 dollar suv's came by and no one stoped probeley didnt want to get their vehical dirty i must have looked like a drowned rat i needed a ride and couldnt get one ,again i told my self "everything for a reason"and got back to riding.

CAme accross a hot springs resort checked on a room and they were also booked 6 mos in advance they offered to let me camp for 35 dollars though i wasnt interested in paying 35 bucks to be cold and meseriable. the fellow at the desk let me uste the phone and gave me some numbers to call of places down the road first place didnt have anything open second place would let me have a cabin for 120 per night i thought about it but declined the third place was a motel near Mc Kinzee bridge and had one room left for 45 dollars I said with out hesitation "ILL take it " and held it with a credit card number. I asked how far am i from her and it was about 22 miles i said ok ILL be there as soon as i can Im on a bicycle, then she said "ahhh oh... i dont allow bicycle in the room" I said who cares, i LL keep it out side i need to get myself inside tonight", no problem she had a garage i could lock it up if i was woried about it but i wasnt.

Now I am heading out again got 22 miles to go to get inside a hot shower and warm bed for the night. Its statrting to get dark Im in the big gear pedaling like a mad man then i dawns on me i didnt check the odomiter so i dont know how far ive gone or if i allready passed the motel up or not so i decide to go another 5 miles and if i dont see it ILL find a cabin or someone on the road and ask. turning a corner i see a gas station and a bunch of people milling arround first real civilization since leaving Sisters this morning. they are all registering for a dubble marathon run in the morning. most are camping because there is only one motel in the area and i got the last room reserved for me. a few people try to talk me out of the room but i am not giving it up i would have shared it if someone asked. the motrel is just up the road man i feel and look like a drowned rat when i get to the office Dusty sees me and knows im the guy she talkied to and says check in later now go up stairs get out of those wet cloths and into a hot shower leave all the wet stuff outside the room Ill wash and dry them for you",, things started to get better from that point. by the time i finished the shower the rain quit and a duble rainbow appeared the day went from good to bad to worst ever day on a bike to wonderfull all in one day man did I ever sleep good that night