Before we talk about weather, thought you might want to take a look at a video I shot with my GoPro in Dillon Montana last year. This is a bit of what it will look like on our tour.
We are now almost exactly one month away from beginning our Oregon Trail tour. The riders are all training as much as they are able. Three of five riders are still working. The other two can ride anytime they want. Which sounds great, except for one little challenge, Houston Weather. The Heat.
As this is being written, I've ridden 6 out of 8 days putting in close to 300 miles. Each day I departed the house about 6:30am with temps in the 80's that quickly rose to the 90's. By the time I returned, heat index's were well over 100f.
We are now starting to see cramping and heat stress related issues. Sunday morning, our group began to fade quickly about mile 50 with one rider developing cramps but still making it back to the start for a total of 65 miles. Another group of riders we know, went out with 5 riders and came back with 3. One turning after about 20 miles and heading back. Another stopping with full cramps necessitating a sag to come pick him up.
Which brings me to the topic of this post. "What will it be like a month from now along our route in Oregon, Idaho and Montana?"
The following shows our forecast weather during the last week of August and first week of September.
Florence Oregon - 53f - 66f
Eugene & McKinzie Bridge Oregon - 50f - 81f
Prineville Oregon - 44f - 82f
John Day Oregon - 45f - 84f
Baker City Oregon - 40f - 78f
Riggins Idaho - 47f - 80f
Missoula Montana - 45f - 70f
Bottom line - while we will be putting in alot of miles. We will be riding in much much less stressful weather conditions.
But Tom, you know that forecast temperatures are only part of the story. I hope you get a limited amount of wet weather, which would make things feel much cooler than the actual temps. Have a great ride.
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