>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

Ken Dowden poses with his bike. For his ride to work, he left La Grande at 2:30 a.m., rode 10 miles along Interstate 84, then took the Spring Creek exit. He traveled the old Kamela Highway to Meacham, took the back road from Meacham to the Deadman Pass rest area, then plunged down Cabbage Hill on the old highway. (Submitted photo).

- Bill Rautenstrauch

The Observer

People who commute to work by bicycle deserve a pat on the back any time.

But Ken Dowden, who works in Pendleton for the Oregon Water Resources Department, deserves several, and some cheers to boot.

On Sept. 21, Dowden, known among his co-workers as "Mad Dog," was a participant in the Bicycle Transportation Alliance's Bicycle Commute Challenge.

He rode his bike to work, as others involved in the event do. The difference? In a single commute, he pedaled 63 miles over the Blue Mountains, hitting elevations of 4,000 feet and braving icy chill along the way.

"I can honestly say I probably won't be doing that trip again anytime soon. But, I had fun," Dowden said.

The Bicycle Transportation Alliance is a non-profit membership organization that works to promote bicycling and improve bicycling conditions in Oregon and southwest Washington.

Each year, private and public groups, businesses and agencies participate in the organization's premiere event, the Bike Commute Challenge.

The annual event is a friendly competition in which cyclists bike to work during the month of September. The workplaces with the highest percentage of commutes by bicycle during the month win.

Dowden racked up his 63 miles by pedaling from his home in La Grande to his office in Pendleton.

Setting out at 2:30 in the morning, he rode 10 miles along Interstate 84, then took the Spring Creek exit.

He traveled the old Kamela Highway to Meacham, took the back road from Meacham to the Deadman Pass rest area, then plunged down Cabbage Hill on the old highway, from Poverty Flat to the Indian reservation at Mission.

From there, he cruised the last six miles to Pendleton and his office, walking through the door right on time.

He admits to taking several breaks along the way to a seven-hour finish, but who wouldn't do the same?

Up there in the Blues, there is plenty for a cyclist to see and enjoy.

"At Meacham, the elk were bugling, though my cold toes made that a fleeting moment," he said. "What a ride. I just paced myself and enjoyed it."