outback

day 1: left at 530, rode through some thunder showers, mile 40 Sprague, filled up on water and Gatorade. continued in to Mike 64, hurting. drank and ate, laid down. into mile 82, thought there was runningwater there. there wasn't. filtered and boiled water from stagnant river. ate, boiled more water for next day. went to bed.

day 2: up at 530, waiting for sunrise to warmup. coffee and ride. one bottle for a 38 mile leg. fair amount of pavement👍. looking forward to hamburger at tavern in fort rock, mile 120. it's closed. find spigot and fill up everything including 3L dry bag. around corner a restaurant is open. burger and beer. yelled at twice. charged phone. start rude. goal to get to 157. stop at 148 for a rest. counting on. at 157 decide to continue. stop at 161.

day 3: up early. Jay's tire leaving a bit, get rolling at about 6. downhill gravel to host 20, right for about a mile to gravel road 27. rollers to pavement ascent to Prineville dam. down to no water on descent. stop at crooked river campground for rest and water mile 205. worried when pump water spigot was dry, with 20 miles to Prineville. vacant host sure had running water and Jay figured out the water. sure drank. descend to Prineville. longer than expected. econolodge check in mile 226. shower and of to burritos. meet tj, Brandon, and Eric at taco stand. grocery shopping sheet lengua burrito and beer. pickles, chichirones, power bars. finished pickles. washed clothes in tub. back to store for more pickles. shared j with woman fixing car. takeout pizza from crooked river brewery, watching playoffs in room. packed for early start.

day 4: rolling at 530. 20 mile climb to begin. poop break 15 miles in. paved ascent mile 247 to gravel descent. much cooler here with many more trees. got a puncture on descent mile 262. bacon strip successful. ashwood at 270. the Snickers and water at Frankie's stop. ran into same group as at taco stand with another three or four riders. 8 mile gravel climb to nice descent into antelope mile 294. rest in shade with Dave group of riders. Eric recognizes me. prepare for last 4 mile affect up to Shaniko mile 301. rinse and change at pump behind fire station. hey more pickles and chichurones at store. drink beers on hotel porch(closed). Eric arrives first. then rest. two mre's for dinner. too much. fasting all night under the sky in grass.

day 5: timing at 530 again. 14 mile bomb on 97 to gravel road rollers. some quite challenging. Jay pushing it. final gravel climb at 247. gravel and paved descent to Gibbs junction.