Today we were jet-propelled from the lushly verdant Columbia River Gorge at Hood River, through tan high bluff grasslands overlooking the Columbia River, to sagebrush desert – all in one 59 mile day . We were aided by a steady 20 plus mph wind, which was directly at our backs most of the day. Early in the day we we enjoyed riding on the 11 mile long Mark Hartfield Trail which climbs out of Hood River up to gorgeous vistas of the Columbia River Valley. 

Once past Portland there are not many bike trails along our route,  so this was a very enjoyable and pastoral stretch. There was a 12 mile section where there were no suitable trails or roads to move east up the Columbia River Valley other than Interstate 84. Though our time on I-84 was relatively short because we had strong winds pushing us along, we hope in the future to only travel on interstates in cars.

Reflection by Joe:

After a day thinking about a steady tailwind pushing us along and aiding us up climbs …

In life, as in biking, we are often more conscious of headwinds than tailwinds. There are many times when I’ve been unaware of tailwinds aiding me on a bike journey; they can be almost undetectable unless they are very strong, as they were today for us.

By contrast, headwinds, even small ones, are apparent . They’re literally in one’s face, and they can quickly move to the forefront of one’s thoughts . There are days when it seemed in a loop ride that I had headwinds the whole way , which is unlikely meteorologically. It’s easy to become focused on these headwinds, and allow them to squeeze out thinking time about positive things, such as how lucky I am to be riding in the first place.

It seems to me the life lesson is to accept the headwinds as part of the journey and not let them take much mindspace. And to try to be more conscious of, and appreciative for, all the tailwinds I have helping along the journey.

I’ve been thinking a great deal on this ride about the tailwinds I’ve enjoyed, most importantly family and friends. Becky provides such wonderful tailwinds for me; she is the wind in my sails both when I’m cruising,  and when I am at risk of becoming becalmed. I feel very grateful for so many of you helping me get up those hills even if at times I haven’t been as conscious as I should have been of those gentle tailwinds….