Day Ten – Bend OR to Boise ID
Miles: 370
We struck out again for breakfast and ended up at the Black Bear again. It was good and we were on our way before 8:00. We stopped at Eagle Rock on OR380 which was nothing more than a wide spot int he road, and we didn't see any water either. We stretched our legs and continued on. OR380 looked like a decent road but I knew it was not much travelled and also knew there was a small stretch of gravel, but it seemed more promising than going up to US26 and crossing that way. So we were riding on Burns-Izee Officer Ranch Rd and just past Brown Ranch Road we were stopped by some ranchers who were struggling with their roundup of cattle. We watched as they tried to get them all out of the road and within a few minutes we were able to pass. Within a few miles we hit the gravel, but it was well packed and we made decent time. Once off the gravel and about 13 miles outside of Burns my low air pressure warning came on, and within 10 seconds my rear tire was completely flat. Fortunately I had a repair kit with me however when I went to use I realized the cement had dried up and was not useable. Steve rode into town to look for some but found some kind of super glue. We decided to try without it and it worked fine. I only had three air cylinders with me so the pressure only reached 14psi but I was able to ride the 13 miles and fill the rest at the gas station. While Steve was riding into town only six cars passed and five of them stop to ask if I needed help. There was no shoulder so I was in the middle of the road. Some offered me water another said he had an air compressor in his truck. It was very comforting to know that there are still these types of people out there and willing to help. We were riding on US20 and stopped at an old abandoned bridge that was the original US20 bridge over the Malhuer River but there wasn't much to see and it was getting hot again as it was getting late in the afternoon. We arrived to out hotel at a little past 5:00 and headed to Payette Brewing Co for some dinner and then on to Boise Brewing to close out the evening. We stopped and picked a bottle of wine for the hotel and enjoyed it outside on their patio. A very eventful day and thank goodness I had a patch kit with me. Never leave home without one.
