Update from Ashland, Oregon

Where there were once five, there are now four. Another pedaling comrade lost to the abyss of Lassen National Forest in Northern California. After a soul crushing KOM decimation to the highest point of the tour (at least so far) Lassen Summit 8,512 feet - we watched our prolific climber, Jack, as his knees swelled to the size of grapefruits. 

Descending ~4000 ft down to Cave Campground for the night, we grabbed our headlamps and went out in search of more adventure, this time inside a lava tube big enough to fit a bus. 

The better part of an hour was spent searching for this alleged volcanic wondertunnel. A short trail leads us to the entrance of the Subway Cave, a 1500 ft tunnel formed from lava flowing through the valley. 

All was well as the sun set that night. The morning came and Jack was slow to rise, he hobbled out of his sleeping bag and said "my legs feel hydraulic" upon shaking the fluid building in his knees. Our theory: Jack's muscles are growing too fast for his tendons to keep up, more proof that he may in fact be a mortal. We carried on for 60 miles until we stopped in Bartle along Hwy 89 for water. At this point we had fashioned a tow rope and were prepared to pull Jack 16 miles to McCloud. Fortunately, he was able to find a ride north and we met him there to regroup. Our world got smaller in McCloud. When we pulled up Jack had arranged a ride with a couple, out on their own road trip bike adventure. Turns out Albert and Jackie Balingit are the parents of one of Matt's highschool and college friends, Emilio. While Jack was getting a ride to Dunsmuir to take the train to Portland and rest for a few days, the remaining four of us found a place on Warmshowers in Mt Shasta. A bleak day turned into another interesting chapter in this evolving story. We were welcomed into the home of two fellow bike touring, adventure seeking, and beer brewing folks who set us up with a backyard, warm shower, kitchen and generous hospitality. After making dinner and almost deciding to never leave Mt. Shasta, we called it a night.

Heather and Marco escorted us out of town, taking us to the Sacramento River headwaters where we filled our bottles with 50 year old pure Mt Shasta filtered water. Marco rode as far north as Weed, where he split off to brew beer at the Mt Shasta Brewing Company. From there we continued on and set our sights on Ashland, Oregon. We were met here by the family of an old Santa Cruz friend, where we ate lots, talked lots, and laughed lots. Tomorrow we head for the base of Crater Lake. Hasta luego! 

Love,

Matt and Ryland