Day 2: 54 mi, Huntington, OR to Cambridge, ID

Last night was a new moon and by 9pm we wandered down to the banks of the Snake River and were treated to the most awesome stars I’ve ever seen. I probably haven’t seen the Milky Way in a number of years and last night it wasn’t just bright and obvious, but you could clearly see Cassiopeia, the planet Uranus, satellites, and the occasional meteor as well. I didn’t have any way to photograph it but I’ll never forget that sky.

Today was a relatively easy day so we got a late start around 8:30am. The route took us out on a few major highways which wasn’t great but we had some epic downhills where I hit a top speed close to 45mph. Thankfully the temps were mild and the sky cloudy, and although it threatened rain, nothing more than a few drops fell here and there.

We got to camp early amid smoke and smells from nearby fires. By dinner we’d heard rumors that tomorrow’s town we were riding to had been evacuated and the road to it closed. At the nightly announcements they let us know it was true, with the existing rides cancelled while they scramble to make a ride work without going to most places we’d planned on. It’s tough to find places for 2,000 people to eat and sleep on short notice and the organizers have a tough job ahead.

I’m writing this on my phone, in a tent which is getting pummeled with rain outside. I don’t know what’ll happen the rest of the week but I hope it’s clear tomorrow and we figure out some alternate rides that don’t involve interstate highways.