This Sunday we had the most perfect window of good weather and rode the big one, the toughest, the most remote, and the most beautiful 100-mile loop in The State of Jefferson: The Salmon River Loop.

This was to be Rebecca's fairwell ride.  A send-off before her trip to Alaska, and her first time on the loop.

It had rained torrentially on Saturday, and even snowed above about 5500 feet.  Given that both big summits on the ride go well over that elevation, we thought perhaps we'd have at least a very wet, if not outright frozen ride Sunday.  Spencer, Bob, Rebecca, Scott D., Reny, Tim T., Craig A., and I headed out of Etna at 9 a.m. nonetheless, riding into a headwind on the way to Callahan.

There, we found Orion just past the city limits sign, with three hours of sleep and smelling of booze in the gravel parking lot with just a bike, a helmet, and nothing else.  Certainly no food, gloves, nothing like that.  Nothing one might want to have packed with them for The Salmo River Loop.  But he hopped on his bike and pedalled off with us, because that's what he's made of.

Sun all the way to Forks of the Salmon, and then tailwind the rest of the way home.  We picked up Mike and Mike before Sawyers Bar, and Joy H., the saint, was on hand with the support car.

The climb up the backside of Etna Mth. was horrific as always, but perhaps a bit less horrific with a bit of wind at the back.

Afterwards, the Etna Brewery served up some food and beer, and shit howdy did it ever hit the spot.

Below is the view north from Cecilville Summit...

This Sunday, the 1st Annual GP Rogue Flahute...

Meet at Colver Park in Phoenix, Oregon, and be ready to roll out at 10 a.m.

We'll hit all the dirt roads in the valley in one nice, neat 115-mile parcours.  (Sorry, we won't leave the valley for any fire roads.)  This is a ride for road bikes.  No knobby tires.

Beer and Tour of Flanders on TV at Tim's house afterwards.

All are welcome.

The following course maps are courtesy of Spencer...

http://tinyurl.com/flahute-rogue

For anyone who wants the Garmin GPS course... it's available for download here

This is an unorganized, unsanctioned, unsupported ride. Please bring all the support you need.

Turn by turn directions...

http://www.malukcoaching.com/tech/flahute.html