Day 3; Rose Lodge to Corvaillis; 66 miles
Well, I'm starting to get a sense that the morning ride is not as enjoyable and the after lunch ride. This was the case this morning. The route took me along Oregon Highway 18 the "haunted Boyer" or the paranormal highway. Ugh, it was a challenge with lots of traffic and debris on the road. I pushed as hard as I could to finally get to Rickreall where I met T and L at Eola winery. Very nice place for sandwiches in the shade. Soon, I was off to Corvaillis where my first stop was Corvaillis Cyclery for a new saddle. I got a Brooks saddle and in about a day it will feel like the leather seats in a car. Worn and comfortable. We met up with cousin Todd and his son Jacob at their house. They are heading to Truckee CA tomorrow fore Todd's other son is running in the Western States 100 mile run. Go Andrew!
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
June 21, 2016 Day 2
Day 2; Rockaway Beach to Rose Lodge; 64 miles
I entitled this day to be "Looking for a descent road surface" day. Beautiful ride but the roads were not really ideal, rough, lots of debris, no shoulder, traffic. Had a quick stop at the Tillamook Cheese factory eating Bit o' Honeys. Just as good a ice cream and easier on my belly. Made my way up and over hills, around bays, and finally into Pacific City. Met up with T and L at the Pelican Brewery for a yummy flatbread lunch. Too bad it was too early for a beer. After lunch ride was fabulous with a fast tailwind out of Pacific Beach on the 101. Soon went onto the old highway 101 that had very little traffic and still a tailwind and a nice 5 mile climb. Quickly I was down along the Salmon River and into the Salmon River RV park near Rose Lodge. Very nice evening and a few long term resident were wondering what we were doing. Most though my trip was a dumb idea, but no worries this trip is for me, not them.
I entitled this day to be "Looking for a descent road surface" day. Beautiful ride but the roads were not really ideal, rough, lots of debris, no shoulder, traffic. Had a quick stop at the Tillamook Cheese factory eating Bit o' Honeys. Just as good a ice cream and easier on my belly. Made my way up and over hills, around bays, and finally into Pacific City. Met up with T and L at the Pelican Brewery for a yummy flatbread lunch. Too bad it was too early for a beer. After lunch ride was fabulous with a fast tailwind out of Pacific Beach on the 101. Soon went onto the old highway 101 that had very little traffic and still a tailwind and a nice 5 mile climb. Quickly I was down along the Salmon River and into the Salmon River RV park near Rose Lodge. Very nice evening and a few long term resident were wondering what we were doing. Most though my trip was a dumb idea, but no worries this trip is for me, not them.
June 20, 2016 Day 1
Day 1; Astoria to Rockaway Beach. 56 miles
Left Astoria after a great breakfast of haueves rancheros and pedaled along the clatsop state park and dropped into Seaside. Said hello to Tamara and Loren and quickly went on to Cannon Beach. Said hello to Jonathon, had some coffee and decided to keep pacing on down the coast. It was windy and more hilly than I expected. However with sun and amazing views made for another enjoyable ride. Soon I arrived into Rockway Beach and met Mike, co-worker Arianna's cousin that was care taking the beach house. Awesome place and very gracious host. We took showers, did a load of laundry and had a real road trip dinner of tuna and a side dish. Yum. Sleep quickly followed dinner.
Left Astoria after a great breakfast of haueves rancheros and pedaled along the clatsop state park and dropped into Seaside. Said hello to Tamara and Loren and quickly went on to Cannon Beach. Said hello to Jonathon, had some coffee and decided to keep pacing on down the coast. It was windy and more hilly than I expected. However with sun and amazing views made for another enjoyable ride. Soon I arrived into Rockway Beach and met Mike, co-worker Arianna's cousin that was care taking the beach house. Awesome place and very gracious host. We took showers, did a load of laundry and had a real road trip dinner of tuna and a side dish. Yum. Sleep quickly followed dinner.
June 19, 2016 Day -1
Day -1. Montesano to Astoria 88 miles
Awesome day, in fact this day will go down in history as one of my favorite days of riding. Started the day with low clouds and cool weather. The group quickly made our way south to the very cute town of Raymond then into South Bend for a lunch stop. No real local accommodation for a group our size so we pulled into the Health and Human Resources parking lot and unloaded the snack food that was in the van. Cheese balls, Bugles, fruit, candy, etc...All of the junk food a cyclist would want and it was good! After feasting we continued to the coast with beautiful scenery and great company. Next feeding stop was at a wildlife reserve, and lunch # 2 feast was the same as lunch #1 feast. Soon, we were off to finish the ride into Astoria with a strong tailwind that allowed us to pace at 23-24 mph for several miles. Finally we arrived at the Astoria Bridge and after some contemplation about a shuttle across, we denied the shuttle and rode on. What a rush to be on that bridge. Up and over the mouth of the Columbia river we went and quickly arrived in Astoria. Met up with many friends and family and went to George Town Brewery for food and beer.
Awesome day, in fact this day will go down in history as one of my favorite days of riding. Started the day with low clouds and cool weather. The group quickly made our way south to the very cute town of Raymond then into South Bend for a lunch stop. No real local accommodation for a group our size so we pulled into the Health and Human Resources parking lot and unloaded the snack food that was in the van. Cheese balls, Bugles, fruit, candy, etc...All of the junk food a cyclist would want and it was good! After feasting we continued to the coast with beautiful scenery and great company. Next feeding stop was at a wildlife reserve, and lunch # 2 feast was the same as lunch #1 feast. Soon, we were off to finish the ride into Astoria with a strong tailwind that allowed us to pace at 23-24 mph for several miles. Finally we arrived at the Astoria Bridge and after some contemplation about a shuttle across, we denied the shuttle and rode on. What a rush to be on that bridge. Up and over the mouth of the Columbia river we went and quickly arrived in Astoria. Met up with many friends and family and went to George Town Brewery for food and beer.
June 18, 2016 Day -2
Day -2; Edmonds to Montesano 106 miles
Got up early, said good bye to cats and Chelle and neighbors and started my journey in the rain. Steve and I trudged up the hill and sped into Seattle. At the Bremerton Ferry terminal we paid out $9.20 and waited for others to arrive. Soon Heather and Beth joined us and we boarded the ferry. Joining us on the ferry was a group of high school cyclist from Indiana, about 50-70. This was the first time on the ferry that there were more bikes than cars. We arrived in Bremerton and started the day dry and partly sunny. Roads were good but traffic was worse than I expected. Finally we arrived in Shelton and met up with Chelle, Paul, Druska and Karen who were having lunch. We were hungry and earthly joined the party. At about 2pm we started our way to Montesano and the Friends Landing RV park, which was very nice. After about 15 miles we got caught by the inevitable rain and had to pull over to wait it out. Soon it quite and we went off in a strong headwind into Montesano. Thanks to pulling us in, Paul and Karen! Dinner was awesome and soon after dark, every one crashed (fell fast asleep)!
Got up early, said good bye to cats and Chelle and neighbors and started my journey in the rain. Steve and I trudged up the hill and sped into Seattle. At the Bremerton Ferry terminal we paid out $9.20 and waited for others to arrive. Soon Heather and Beth joined us and we boarded the ferry. Joining us on the ferry was a group of high school cyclist from Indiana, about 50-70. This was the first time on the ferry that there were more bikes than cars. We arrived in Bremerton and started the day dry and partly sunny. Roads were good but traffic was worse than I expected. Finally we arrived in Shelton and met up with Chelle, Paul, Druska and Karen who were having lunch. We were hungry and earthly joined the party. At about 2pm we started our way to Montesano and the Friends Landing RV park, which was very nice. After about 15 miles we got caught by the inevitable rain and had to pull over to wait it out. Soon it quite and we went off in a strong headwind into Montesano. Thanks to pulling us in, Paul and Karen! Dinner was awesome and soon after dark, every one crashed (fell fast asleep)!
Friday, June 17, 2016
June 17, 2016
Tomorrow I start my transcontinental bike ride. Finally!
But first tonight I will see my 18 yo nephew, Max, graduate from high school. He is already well beyond high school, but tonight at 8pm is the ceremony in which we honor him and his Roosevelt HS classmates. This will be fun and I'm really looking forward to this event. This fall he will be at Western Washington University in Bellingham. Great school and fun town. Congratulations to you Max! I love you!
We have had a great stretch of summer weather here in the PNW. However, ride Day 1, is not looking so good. That is why I have fenders on my bike and lots of rain gear. But we should have a dry evening and dry Sunday as we pull into Astoria.
Here is how the next two days will go:
Saturday June 18, 5:30 am Steve and I chug up the hill from our house in Edmonds and zoom into Seattle. We will need to manage the Seattle Rock 'n Roll Marathon in the morning but we should be fine getting to Pier 54 in order to catch the 7:35 sailing of the Seattle to Bremerton Ferry. At the Ferry terminal, we will meet up with Beth, Colleen, and Heather. We will sit inside the ferry and enjoy a dry 1 hour sailing to Bremerton. Once off the Ferry, next stop is Shelton to meet up with Chelle, Ben and Karen for lunch. Then finish with day by riding into Friends Landing RV park for camping, shower and awesome dinner that Chelle will provide.
Sunday June 19, we will hopefully enjoy a northerly tailwind and ride on into Astoria.
Right now I'm excited and nervous. There will be lots of obstacles like wind, heat, rain, hills, flat tires, broken chains, tired legs, etc. However, I feel I have been planning my whole life for this adventure. I can't wait to see if I can do it and actually have no doubt that I can. It will be one pedal stroke at a time, one day at a time.
So, before I crank out of here tomorrow, I truly want to thank my spouse Chelle who is an amazing support and never let me get too wigged out about anything or everything; my sister Tamara who put the wheel in motion and upended her life for this to happen, and my brother and law Loren who is such a good sport and will be so handy on the trip. Also, I want to thank all of those riding to Astoria with me. You all are awesome and strong! Finally, I want to thank all of our financial and emotional supporters. You all are amazing and truly helping to make my dream come true! I love you all!
But first tonight I will see my 18 yo nephew, Max, graduate from high school. He is already well beyond high school, but tonight at 8pm is the ceremony in which we honor him and his Roosevelt HS classmates. This will be fun and I'm really looking forward to this event. This fall he will be at Western Washington University in Bellingham. Great school and fun town. Congratulations to you Max! I love you!
We have had a great stretch of summer weather here in the PNW. However, ride Day 1, is not looking so good. That is why I have fenders on my bike and lots of rain gear. But we should have a dry evening and dry Sunday as we pull into Astoria.
Here is how the next two days will go:
Saturday June 18, 5:30 am Steve and I chug up the hill from our house in Edmonds and zoom into Seattle. We will need to manage the Seattle Rock 'n Roll Marathon in the morning but we should be fine getting to Pier 54 in order to catch the 7:35 sailing of the Seattle to Bremerton Ferry. At the Ferry terminal, we will meet up with Beth, Colleen, and Heather. We will sit inside the ferry and enjoy a dry 1 hour sailing to Bremerton. Once off the Ferry, next stop is Shelton to meet up with Chelle, Ben and Karen for lunch. Then finish with day by riding into Friends Landing RV park for camping, shower and awesome dinner that Chelle will provide.
Sunday June 19, we will hopefully enjoy a northerly tailwind and ride on into Astoria.
Right now I'm excited and nervous. There will be lots of obstacles like wind, heat, rain, hills, flat tires, broken chains, tired legs, etc. However, I feel I have been planning my whole life for this adventure. I can't wait to see if I can do it and actually have no doubt that I can. It will be one pedal stroke at a time, one day at a time.
So, before I crank out of here tomorrow, I truly want to thank my spouse Chelle who is an amazing support and never let me get too wigged out about anything or everything; my sister Tamara who put the wheel in motion and upended her life for this to happen, and my brother and law Loren who is such a good sport and will be so handy on the trip. Also, I want to thank all of those riding to Astoria with me. You all are awesome and strong! Finally, I want to thank all of our financial and emotional supporters. You all are amazing and truly helping to make my dream come true! I love you all!
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Final Countdown...
Sunday morning June 12. Less than a week until I leave on my big adventure. I have been enjoying my time off from work getting everything wrapped up and ready to roll, oh yes also training. I will do a final long prep ride tomorrow of about 60 miles. Then spin and insanity Tuesday and Wednesday. I will take two rest days before I leave.
Today, will be the walk through with my sister and Loren with the Aliner and the van.
Thursday, I take Apollo to his summer foster, Susie. He will have several doggie friends and a beach to play. I will miss him terribly but he will have a good summer and I will see him again in September. I hope he remembers me!
Today, will be the walk through with my sister and Loren with the Aliner and the van.
Thursday, I take Apollo to his summer foster, Susie. He will have several doggie friends and a beach to play. I will miss him terribly but he will have a good summer and I will see him again in September. I hope he remembers me!
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