Extreme bike commute: La Grande to Pendleton

September 21, 2007 | by Michelle | Posted in Fun

Holy smokes, check this out.

Hi Michelle,

I just thought that you might want to hear about the accomplishment of one of our riders. A BCC participant in our Pendleton office, Ken Dowden, bicycled in to work this morning (starting 2:30 a.m.) from his home in La Grande. That’s 63-miles, 7-hours, and about 3800-feet in elevation gain/loss.

I’ve attached a picture from Ken’s ride.

Bob Harmon
Oregon Water Resources Dept., Salem
ken-dowden-pendleton.jpg

Needless to say we are REALLY IMPRESSED.

Comment

Comments (13)

  1. Jessica Roberts Permalink  | Sep 21, 2007 03:39pm

    Wow! Somebody give that guy a prize — that’s completely amazing!!

  2. Karl Rohde Permalink  | Sep 21, 2007 04:18pm

    I guess my 0.1 mile commute isn’t going to get any headlines.

  3. ethan Permalink  | Sep 25, 2007 01:33pm

    Did he bike home also?

  4. franny Permalink  | Sep 25, 2007 01:39pm

    and I thought my commute from Gresham to Beaverton was impressive. I’m jealous!!!! ;- )

  5. bonnie Permalink  | Sep 25, 2007 01:46pm

    Show off! LOL

  6. Corey Permalink  | Sep 25, 2007 02:01pm

    Yikes, leaving at O’dark thirty to head to work, when it was probably crazy cold too. That’s dedication!

  7. Wes Permalink  | Sep 25, 2007 02:15pm

    Very impressive indeed. My one-way is only 27 miles which I did 8 times in Sept for the Challenge. I have been doing it once a week for this summer. It takes me 1.5 to 2 hours depending on conditions. My ride in starts about 4 AM and it is still dark when I get to work. My last ride in the temp was 46 degrees.

  8. Jim Lee Permalink  | Sep 25, 2007 03:07pm

    WOW! Don’t try this in the winter. Too much snow and ice.

    That’s beautiful country, long open stretches, lots of elevation change, especially if Ken makes a return trip from Pendleton to LeGrande. On the route, he passes by Dead Man’s Pass and Emigrant Springs. The ride down the Blue Mountain into the plains near Pendleton is quite a drop, fast speeds, and curves. I take my hat off to Ken.

  9. Keith Kohan Permalink  | Sep 25, 2007 03:55pm

    So, does Ken do this commute every day or just this one time? Does he commute to Pendleton every work day?

  10. Michelle Dennis Permalink  | Sep 26, 2007 09:06am

    Now there’s a guy who is motivated! Kudos! What a wonderful ride, too. So… did he make it to work on time? ;-)

  11. Phil Permalink  | Sep 26, 2007 07:28pm

    Mike Ladd is the real bike commute hero at the Pendleton office of Oregon Water Resources. He commutes 4 miles round trip most days, saves a bunch of gas, and gets to work on time. Regardless, a ride from La Grande to Pendleton is impressive.

  12. Amber Permalink  | Sep 28, 2007 12:48pm

    He definitely deserves the prize, that’s amazing!!!

  13. Dave Kaplowe Permalink  | Oct 01, 2007 11:54am

    Well done!

    Way to set the example.