We thought we’d never actually leave Bend, with all the little mishaps that kept occuring; we lost our main power charger, we couldn’t get our stove to work properly, we couldn’t figure out the GPS, we couldn’t work out which mobile (cell) phone would give us the best coverage, etc, etc… but thankfully by Monday morning we were ready to go (thank goodness as if we left it any later we’d never make it to Durango in 6 weeks- I was a little dubious as it was!). By the time we’d got packed up and eaten a big pancake breakfast, prepared by Ryan’s cousin Fiona, it was 12 noon. Ryan’s Uncle Dave and Aunty Di came over to wave us off and by 12:12 we were away (wobbling down the street as we got used to our load!).

The first days riding went pretty smoothly. We stopped after about 8 miles, so that Ryan could alter the loads. I had packed the Xtra Cycles based on colour co-ordination, which wasn’t the best idea. Ryan moved all the heavier dry bags to his bike and gave me the lightest ones in the hope that it would reduce my lagging behind. The scenery was beautiful with views of snowed capped peaks in our rear-view helmet mirrors and the wide open fields of ranches full of horses and the odd Llama.

After about 19 miles I was beginning tire, so we stopped for lunch beside the road with a lovely view of the open fields. With hindsight this days ride was relatively easy, but the picturesque 4 mile downhill into Prineville couldn’t have come soon enough. Lifted by our speedy descent we decided to push on another 10 miles or so to the campground at Ochoco Lake. This last stretch was uphill and as we haven’t done any training 47 miles was maybe a bit too much for the first day and on arrival at Ochoco Lake campground we were feeling pretty worn out (and a little nauseous if the truth be told). In fact we were so tired that we barely spoke to our fellow campers; 3 guys heading to Alaska on their bikes, one with an Xtra Cycle too. Ryan pitched the tent whilst I prepared some “tasty” instant mashed potatoes with salami and cheese, which we ate straight from the pan.

Total climb:

1123 feet

Animal alert:

Beautiful red winged black birds

Summed up:

A good start