Derek Jennings
Ride with Me

In 1976 Bicyclists from around the world took part in a 4,250 mile journey across the United States of America to celebrate Bicentennial Year

Experience an account of 42 days on a bicycle from Readsport Oregon to Yorktown Virginia

18th June
Mitchell, Oregon

Good sleep and breakfast on the lawn outside hotel, cereal, chocolate milk, orange and coffee. Left at 8.30 for an 8 mile climb out, took 8 mins to do the 7th mile. The morning was hot with a clear blue sky and a breeze down the pass. Bought some sun cream in the store before leaving. Really hot now but pushed on through Dayville after a quick stop for water. Lunched at roadside at 2pm in the shade of a tree. The ride into John Day was hot and slow but fairly level, arrived at 4pm. Would have gone further but discovered I had left my crucifix necklace back at Mitchell in the bathroom. Decided to stay here and phone back or wait to see if any one brings it on. The phone call was successful it was there and they are sending it on to the Trailhead at Missoula. The BikeInn was at the Fairground, under canvas this time I had dinner with a group at a cafe in the town, including Eric Sharp.

Saturday 19th June
John Day Oregon

Up early with the group but left before them at 7am for Prairie City and breakfast. It wasn’t a city but it did have a cafe and grocers. Two eggs hash browns, toast and coffee 1 dollar 45c. Two first category climbs were to come Dixie mountain 5,277ft, a real stiff one through fir covered mountains and then Blue mountain 5,109ft, another slog. Decided not to take the short cut at Austin junction, over gravel, but over Dooley mountain instead a huge steep climb 5,392ft through fir covered and sandy mountains, 8 miles long and the last mile took 9 mins. Had lunch at the bottom before the climb after a cold orange drink at Hereford.

Luckily the sky clouded over for the climb which took some of the heat away. Must have taken 1% hours climbing, then followed a six mile fast hairpin descent and a 10 mile ride to Baker to find the YMCA BikelInn. Still meeting people along the way. Think I’ve seen the last of Tom and his friend from Arizona, he was quite a character! Met a teacher and two boys in the cafe at Prairie City and they’ve just turned up here. Had a long conversation with a Dutchman, he was quite interesting. The Americans are something else! Their whole approach is different, masses of luggage all properly stowed, the best of accessories. Campagnola etc, along with wheel reflectors, crash helmets and rear view mirrors fitted to specs (third eye). The amazing thing is they’re all doing it, girls, fella’s and young boys, the interest they take in each others equipment is strange and my bike is coming in for particular attention especially the frame, and the “paint job” as they call it! Had a good dinner here, beginning to get the hang of the menus now. Salad, Hamburger, Peas and Mash, Toast and Coffee. One dollar 65c.

Sunday 20th June
Baker, Oregon

Slept on the floor again, up early and out on the road. Rode 20 miles from 7am before stopping at roadside for the cereal breakfast I carried with me. On to Richland alongside Powder river, rather like Welsh mountain country, quite warm and sunny. Reached Richland and had a cool orange drink before tackling the climb out. A long 5 mile steepclimb, open country, no shade andsun burning down, I think this is the hardest yet! Arrived at Halfway just as a Rodeo had started. Stayed for an hour, had some lunch and pressed on at 2pm for an afternoon ride to Oxbow dam and then a ride along that and Brownlea dam. Punctured between Richland and Halfway and found the rear tyre down to the canvas. Quite a shock! Will have to do something about that.

The ride along the dams was long and windy and another long climb was to come. Stopped at an unexpected grocery store beforehand to rest (not feeling too strong). It was cloudy, and the climb was 7 miles long and it rained, but I managed to ride it all. Cape on at the top for the descent but had to put more clothes on soon after (very cold) and absolutely tipping down! Was offered a lift into Cambridge half-way down which I politely refused. Arrived at the BikeInn shattered at 7.30, it was on the Showground, some of the campers were sleeping in the cow stalls on a bed of hay. A supper at Kays cafe and then to bed, a campbed this time!

21st June
Cambridge, Idaho

Up early again about 6.15am and ready to go at 7. Went to Kays cafe for an egg breakfast this time with the Bike Inn crowd. Noticed the time was 8.30 and realised the time was mountain time (1hr forward) and had been since 17 miles after the Idaho state line. Thought it was funny I was the last one to leave the cafe last night. Left at about 8.45 for a ride along the foothills towards a snow covered mountain range, very pleasant, plenty of trees, not much sun. Got to New Meadows for lunch at about 12. 30. Sat on the floor outside the grocery store to eat salami, cheese, dry bread and a quart of chocolate milk. On the road again, headed for White Bird, and some ride! 60 miles along the Salmon river with steep hills either side. Sometimes tree lined others just grassy, a long flat ride all of it in rain. Had two campers from San Francisco on my back wheel for 30 miles and couldn’t drop them. Arrived wet! to find Rod Clark (Charlotteville C C) and his Welsh friend here. I’d been hearing about this Jack Taylor tandem with two British riders on it that was ahead of me. Now we’re back on Pacific time again, what a crazy arrangement! I really arrived at 5.15 but had to put my clock back to 4.15. A wash and a meal and then to bed (oh by the way I did my first washing for a week, washed a pair of socks). Having trouble with the ball of my right foot, been bothering me since the second day, hope it improves soon.

22nd June
White Bird

Up very early at 5.20 and on the road at six to tackle this long haul out of White Bird. Took the old road as advised and although it was 4 miles longer it really was a beautiful climb in the early morning freshness, a little sun, white cloud floating among the hills below and saw not one vehicle, elevation 4,245ft! Took almost 2 hours to reach the summit and then a run into Grangeville across the Camus Prairie. Tried a breakfast of hot cakes and maple syrup, they’re really good! Weather cooler now and cloudy but had a good mornings ride along the Clearwater river to Syringa (a whole morning of a replica of the Spey valley). Passed a group of about 90 riders across the Camus who had a gigantic truck as a support wagon. A quick lunch and on to Powell. Went through Lowell after 4 miles (the garage sign said 113 miles to the next town). I didn’t realise even then that the BikeInn at Lochsa Lodge was 60 miles with just the road and river between a vast steep fir covered mountain range. They call it The Lochsa Wilderness, it followed the Lewis and Clark trail. A truly fantastic afternoons riding, I’ve never come across anything so vast before.

23rd June
Lochsa

And now on to Missoula and the end of the first section of the trail. The climb over Lolo pass was not as heart breaking as I had anticipated although it was 5,200ft. Weather now is cloudy and not too warm, in fact today I have training trousers and long socks on. Nice ride to Missoula, with the last 11 miles on the main highway, (the 93 strip). Called at Bikecentennial H.Q. and just caught the days last orientation and managed to get my 32 dollars credit returned. I was introduced to Margaret Kelly who was offering her home to international Bicentennial riders, and spent a pleasant evening talking to her family and friends (they kept appearing continually). She really had been places, Canada (Columbia) Australia, and Hawaii teaching Home science. The real highlight of the day was Helens’ letter, I read it at the Bike H.Q. got quite emotional, a wonderful feeling when you are so far away from home. My crucifix also turned up, sent on from Mitchell so everything is turning out OK.

Thursday 24th June
Missoula Montana

Up at 6.45 after breakfast (fried eggs, hot cakes and syrup rhubarb and coffee) said goodbye to Mrs Kelly and was away at 8 o’clock back to Lolo. The next 40 miles was along the base of the Bitteroot mountain range, a fairly flat area consisting of ranches with snow covered mountains to my right and a pretty stiff breeze in my face, making the ride to Derby very slow.

Took lunch just outside at a roadside table and pressed on to Lost Trail pass and Chief Joseph pass, a height of 7,214ft. It took 7 mins to do the seventh mile of an 8 mile climb. The next 25 miles was all down hill, fast with a following wind across the valley known as “Big Hole”. Called in at the Battlefield centre to hear about the regions history and Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce Indians. On then to the BikeInn at Wisdom. Another friendly group here, a good meal and so to bed.

Friday 25th June
Wisdom

Nevada City. Day 14Slept in a caravan last night, had a double bed section to myself. Took breakfast in a cafe and away by eight. The first 8 miles was along a dirt road with stones and very bumpy. The morning was bright and very cold. Snow covered mountains looked magnificent. Once off the rough track the ride was fast, a following wind and ranch land across another huge bowl for 50 miles to Dillon. Looked a nice town, well laid out, neat clean, and prosperous. Posted a letter to Helen and a card to my sister Moira at Jackson Montana 48 miles before Dillon.

Took lunch 10 miles outside Dillon and pressed on to Two Bridges 20 miles up the road. A stiff breeze made it a hard ride across a flat exposed scrubland and green rolling slopes. Glad to get to Twin Bridges and a change of direction for the ride to Nevada and Virginia Cities. Two old gold mining towns with a lot of character and a little commercialism. Although it looks original I’m told it has been reconstructed.