Just beginning the climb from the Grande Ronde to Flora

Doug's SlideShow

Corrie's Slideshow

"Where's the tip jar?"

"Didn't you see the guy behind you?" Doug pointed out.

The RimRock cafe near the Joseph Overlook isn't quite that upscale but close.

The men's room had hand lotions and creams, tissues and candles and no paper towels. Instead, we had tightly rolled linens. I felt guilty about using them. I'd be in trouble at home for such a thing.

In the dining room the rustic appearance couldn't disguise the absence of paper napkins. The large cloth napkins wrapped the silver including both a dinner and salad fork.

No one but the crazies showed up at Chief Looking Glass park in Asotin this morning at 8. Scott, Jen, Doug and their comic relief on a mountain bike, me drove over to Bogan's and started promptly at 9 am.

A month ago they had done this ride in shirtsleeves and sunshine only to find the ground near Flora covered in snow--a winterwonderland but with dry pavement. It sounded good to me by comparison with say Eagle creek or Owyhee. I had hoped we'd see other riders this morning. Bill Arnold hasn't been out for a couple of weeks and he'd have loved this ride. But, no, the word is out--probably my fault--and everyone stays away from the crazies.

yeah, there was a hiil, short one. Only 11 miles.

This ride did require fitness but was easier than the Pomeroy effort last week. From Bogan's we headed toward Troy, Oregon on a paved road. Some climbing got the heartrate up early and then we hit gravel for a spell and back to pavement until about 16 miles out we crossed the Grand Ronde. The road turned to gravel and the sign said 11 miles to Flora. The road to Flora joined the Buford grade just short of the RimRock and Doug wanted to try it.

Scott wanted to know if any land was for sale.
Doug suggested Scott might like this piece.

We'd worried about heat but instead we were treated to the threat of thundershowers and the promise of rain. When the sun broke through, things warmed up nicely. the rest of the time the headwind kept us cool but not chilly. At least until we got to Flora. the jackets came out even before we started to descend. It was cold, windy, and yes, a few drops of rain annointed us.

It made me think of the Last Joseph Ride when we'd huddled en mass on the small porch of the RimRock out of the driving rain. I was a bit concerned that we should head down immediately and save lunch for after we were off the bikes. I didn't like the idea of waiting for the rain to come in.

The wind had picked up and drove sideways at us as we crossed the flats above Buford Grade. And then we descended over occasionally wet pavement to Bogan's where the crazies had milkshakes and I had a Henry's. No accounting for taste, I suppose.

Okay, so we did a little climbing.

But I'd had enough of foofoo drinks (that's for you, Chris)and linen napkins. This is the sort of ride that requires a cold beer.

Jen's rear derailleur needed tweaking and my bike had a nice creak but we had no other problems. Just yer Elegant, Upscale Bike Ride.

For the Ride of it Corrie