Winter Wonderland...In Spring!

I started off from Ashland a little before 9 and there was still cloud coverage on the peaks. The forecast said it was supposed to clear up, so I went ahead. Shortly out of town I had a 3,000 ft vertical climb over 4 miles. About q mile into the climb I started riding through a drizzling snow which soon became flurries. Shortly after that was a really good snow of the real fluffy type that looks like a postcard.

I eventually made the first summit and the sun started coming out as I went down the back side. As the sun came out the snow on the trees started falling off and the road began to steam from the temperature range.

Once the sun came out it stayed out and i made two more summits. Overall the road wasnt used that much which made for relaxing riding. The only challenging part was riding with severe cotton mouth due to the pills I have been taking for my back. Other than that it was a great day to ride.

Black Ice

I rode out this morning with my back hurting a bit and the forecast not looking well. I rode south 20 miles to where I was to catch an east bound highway and looked to the mountains and was still unable to see peaks and saw snow just a little ways above town. Since I had a 3,000 foot climb today, this concerned me. I checked the weather again for a couple of towns I was to go through and one predicted snow and temps not above freezing. I decided to not risk it and decided to stay in Ashland for a day. When I checked in I found out there was black ice where I was headed, so it was good I stopped.

Ashland is a very neat town and big into performing arts. They have three stages going daily and currently have a Shakespeare festival going on. The downtown has a neat feel to it and is historic and looks it, though well kept up.

Snow Again?

I arrived in Oregon a couple days ago and found a campground for the night after a day of cool rain. When I woke up in the morning, however, I had a good layer of snow on my tent.

I put on some different warm clothes since those from the day before were soaked. I then put plastic bags on my head and feet to try and stay warmer and a little dryer. It worked, though I looked a little funny. My summit for the day was a little over 1600 ft, which means I was lower than that to get snow. During the day it got a little warmer and dryer. When I got to the place I was staying for the night I heard they had hail earlier in the day and I experienced some sleet. This all at the end of April and not up in the mountains.

As I rode today I couldn't see many of the peaks due to cloud cover. This made me glad I switched my route so I didn't have to ride in that for two days.