Stage 5 of the Loop Tour. The longest day and some really hard climbs, but absolutely gorgeous.
I had done Aufderheide Forest Road two years before, but not with a fully loaded bike, and not all the way to Oakridge. I didn't remember it as being too awful hard and it wasn't, until that last mile to the summit. That's where it gets really steep. I was crawling along at about 3-4 mph, but I made it. Of course our wonderful SAG drivers were waiting at the top with cool drinks. You really learn to appreciate the support on a ride like this.
Again stopped at a campground on the way down, splashed in the river and hung in the hammock. I guess we broke the rules this time as the support crew did not know where we were. It was hot and no one was in a hurry to get to camp, as it was another school field. I got there just in time to get a shower before they closed the locker room.