Advertisement
Published: August 10th 2018
Edit Blog Post
Today was a tough day, but by planning our ride carefully, we avoided the difficulties of Tuesday’s ride.
The day took us over three mountain passes, a total of about 4200’ in 66 miles.
Since the weather forcast was for record high temperatures today, we agreed to leave at Sunrise, which we did.
We also filled our water bottles to 1/2 half full and put them in the freezer. This morning we topped them off and the resulting chilled water lasted for several hours.
The early start was the key, however.
We were on the bikes at 0530. We rode 51 miles and finished our second big climb by 10:15; early enough so it was still below 100 degrees outside.
( Our second climb today was over Tipton Pass, an especially picture worthy sign for Bruce Tipton.)
The ride today was back in the alpine forests, and another serendipity of the early start was the absence of vehicles so we could just revel in the many sounds of the forest.
I was especially intrigued by the two Osprey nests we passed along the way.
They were very vocal and filled the air
Tipton Pass. Go figure.
This was our second of three passes today.
Bruce’s last name is Tipton. with their distinctive shrill cry.
With only our final 7 mile climb coming up, and 15 miles total to go, we stopped at the Austin Junction all in one store, (restaurant, gifts, and groceries) for lunch.
The food was great, and we left there well hydrated with full water bottles for the final ride to Prairie City.
Although the temperature had soared to over 100, we gutted it out and simply rode a steady climb to the top of our final Summit,( Dixie Pass 5279’).
After topping the summit, it was all downhill to Prairie City.
By the time we arrived, it was 105 degrees and the headwinds had really kicked up.
We were really grateful to be done for the day and savored our chocolate milk reward.
Prairie City is another city that thrived in the days when Gold and other minerals were abundant in the area. Gold was first discovered nearby in Dixie, ( named by Confederate sympathizers in 1861).
After the early Gold Rush, the city had three lumber mills, and thrived another thirty years until the mills shut down one by one.
Both the Prairie City Hotel
Oxbow bar and grill.
Great place with a beautiful interior.
The wood around the Mirror was actually imported from Europe in the 1870’s. and the Oxbow Saloon next door are great examples of the wealth that must have exhisted in the early Twentieth Century here.
We are staying at the Prairie City Hotel and it is abundant in lavish decor even to this day.
Our suite must have been where the wealthy visitors stayed, because it is a beautiful three room suite, with living room and kitchen.
After checking in and showering, we went next door to the Oxbow Saloon and Restaurant and shared a great Shrimp and Chicken Alfredo with our beers. The main bar is gorgeous Rose Wood and was imported from Europe at the turn of the Century.
Unfortunately, as I have observed in most small towns I have passed through, there are many closed buildings and the town is dying.
The owner of the Oxbow confirmed our observations and is hoping he can make enough to survive.
It is really sad to see so many small towns in this Nation shutting down.
I fear our future is Amazon.com and brick and mortar stores will be gone.
(Just one man’s opinion.)
Tomorrow should be a much easier mostly downhill day.
I can’t wait.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.116s; Tpl: 0.014s; cc: 12; qc: 44; dbt: 0.0572s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb