Three links, first one is mine, other two are Jeff's.
http://picasaweb.google.com/gswang/SanDiegoOregonBikeTrip
http://picasaweb.google.com/JPatzer/OregonBikeTrip
http://picasaweb.google.com/JPatzer/OregonBikeTrip2
Well, Jeff pretty much summed up our last few days. I'd just like to put in that overall, it was a great trip but for weather being a crapshoot. I loved that we got to stand still and look around without all the scenery flying by. The calm Oregon countryside/oceanside has its own kind of beauty, especially for persons like myself, who are too used to the fast-paced silicon valley lifestyle.
For future reference: DO NOT DO THIS EARLY JUNE. That was easily our worst mistake on this entire trip...well, other than taking Jeff the Skunk along. We expected 2 or 3 days of rain, but what we got was only two or three days of sun. That changed this from a real bike tour into touring with bikes.
Anyway...I heard Vermont is a nice place to ride.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Wrap Up
Apologies for the lack of posting for the past few days, but we were busy and lacking a cell phone signal with which to log onto the internet.
Monday:
We started out riding North of Bandon at Bullards Beach State Park and made it only about 20 miles where once again the skies opened and once again felt the need to soak us. Therefore, we stopped at Langois, had some awesome hot dogs with the homemade honey mustard, got stared at by the 'rustic' locals, and promptly clambered back into the Pilot for the trip down to Gold Beach. Once there we confirmed our reservation for the jet boats and found a Yurt to stay in (inclement weather, once again).
Tuesday:
This day consisted mainly of the Jet Boat ride up the Rogue River. It was an awesome trip where we encountered a great deal of interesting wildlife and various fishing locals. The only complaint issued from Liz: "I want to go faster and go over more of the rapids". After the ride, we drove down into the redwood forests of northern California and stayed the night there. We didn't get any riding in due to the lateness in the day.
Wednesday:
We only rode a short 8 mile section through the best part of the redwoods earlier in the morning and then drove back to the Bay Area. The short bike ride was great because it was a slightly sloping downhill grade that meant no pedaling and a good pace to view the trees from. We stopped at David and Kays' house on the way back to see their new animal additions (both very cute) and to eat some pizza. After that we returned back to the apartment and unloaded.
Thursday:
Dad and me are driving home. The valley sucks.
End Note: Good trip. Not as much riding as we wanted, but thats how it goes. Great Scenery.
End Trip
Pictures and Video will follow.
Monday:
We started out riding North of Bandon at Bullards Beach State Park and made it only about 20 miles where once again the skies opened and once again felt the need to soak us. Therefore, we stopped at Langois, had some awesome hot dogs with the homemade honey mustard, got stared at by the 'rustic' locals, and promptly clambered back into the Pilot for the trip down to Gold Beach. Once there we confirmed our reservation for the jet boats and found a Yurt to stay in (inclement weather, once again).
Tuesday:
This day consisted mainly of the Jet Boat ride up the Rogue River. It was an awesome trip where we encountered a great deal of interesting wildlife and various fishing locals. The only complaint issued from Liz: "I want to go faster and go over more of the rapids". After the ride, we drove down into the redwood forests of northern California and stayed the night there. We didn't get any riding in due to the lateness in the day.
Wednesday:
We only rode a short 8 mile section through the best part of the redwoods earlier in the morning and then drove back to the Bay Area. The short bike ride was great because it was a slightly sloping downhill grade that meant no pedaling and a good pace to view the trees from. We stopped at David and Kays' house on the way back to see their new animal additions (both very cute) and to eat some pizza. After that we returned back to the apartment and unloaded.
Thursday:
Dad and me are driving home. The valley sucks.
End Note: Good trip. Not as much riding as we wanted, but thats how it goes. Great Scenery.
End Trip
Pictures and Video will follow.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Change of Pace
Despite my silence, actually quite a lot has happened over these last couple days.
Three days ago, we started off in a yurt, launching our day into a fair weather without rain. Of course, we were nowhere near that fortunate, since as soon as we left the campsite, the rain began and never ended. The difference between yesterday and the second day was this: headwind. When we finally got to Depoe Bay, the synergy between wind and rain struck us with such force as to be able to feel it as a steep hill or to topple me when it deigned to blow to the side. It took us an hour and a half to simply ride about ten miles. At Depoe, we had a solid hot lunch, but more importantly, bought time to rest and dry off. Mike also popped us a question that at the very least Liz and I had not considered: the possibility of having the car follow us as a support wagon.
Unfortunately, as soon as we opened the door to the outside, the wind streamed into the store and chilled us so much so that as Mike walked outside, Jeff, Liz, and I took a leap backwards shivering. After finally mustering the heat to go outside, we huddled together outside laughing and giggling at every murmur, each joke: all this to distract us from the reality of cold winds and wet clothes.
We therefore were at a crossroads: to continue riding into five days of rain and high winds around "Cape Foulweather" or to hide in our SUV, drive down until the weather clears, and continue without luggage. We chose to delay a bit by taking out a local motel, even though we had only ridden 10 miles or so and was only about noon. There, we chose the latter, and gave Mike's brother, John and his mother a call. Their support wagon arrived only a few hours later and we all went out to dinner together. I was actually feeling ambivalent at the time about the car situation, but as the days rolled on, I became all the more fond of having a car around. Thank you again, John and Joanne so much, because I appreciate your help more and more every day. John, thank you for all the great food we had at your house, because I don't think I ever said that enough, and that apple cider was unbelievably good. Joanne, thank you for coming with us when we started, thank you for housing us for two days, and thank you both again for coming out in our time of need.
---------------
Two days ago:
Well, we took a leap forward about 90 miles or so, jumping from where we started all the way to Newport, where we ate some great clam chowder at world famous "Mo's" restaurant and checked out the aquariums. There were some really weird fish and some extremely cute sea otters. I have great pictures to share, but unfortunately, my connection is too slow to upload them at this time. The chowder at Mo's was delicious, although I personally preferred the little cafe at Seaside City. Although Jeff and Liz each had their own different favorites, we could all agree that the chowder has been excellent overall. We ended that day at Florence and retired to a game of Scrabble at the Holiday Inn Express. Yours truly emerged victorious, much to Liz and Jeff's chagrin.
------------------
Yesterday:
We spent the entire day at Honeyman National Park, arriving there shortly after breakfast at the Holiday Inn. Jeff, Liz and I went on a quest to see the sea. We started on a dunes trail, and scaled the dunes. As I climbed, I discovered that climbing nearly vertical dunes was not easy on my beat up calves and found a newfound appreciation for "Lawrence of Arabia". Every step I took that raised me higher by a foot was followed by sand slipping about 6 inches beneath my feet. That was not an easy climb. At the crest, we saw the ocean...a few miles of dunes and forest away. Our quest shifted promptly to finding the way back. After fruitlessly searching for an alternate path for maybe half an hour, finding nothing but deer trails, we decided to go back the way we came. Arriving at the camp, Jeff and Liz napped while I inhaled some literature: "Red Mars". We had Liz's amazing food (more amazing that she cooked it at a campsite) for dinner, and went to sleep soon after.
-----------------------------
Today:
Miles: 70!
Weather: My, oh, my, what a wonderful day. Plenty of sunshine headin' my way, Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay!
Route: Honeyman to Bandon
Today, without any of the bags on the bikes, we set out from Honeyman towards Coos Bay early at about 8 or so. In the next four hours, we rode about forty five miles over two small hills (400 ft or so). Hills are infinitely easier when we don't have the panniers dragging us down. Add that to the fantastic tailwind and sunny skies that we were getting, and we had a recipe-perfect day to be biking.
After a lunch at Subway, where Jeff and Liz whined about their poor sandwiches, (my own was excellent) we shopped at Big 5 to pick up some tights for Liz. For the next few hours, she would spontaneously spread out over the floor bemoaning the excellence and comfort of her spandex leggings.
From North Bend (where we stopped for lunch), we headed off onto the "Seven Devil's Road" towards Bandon. We all hypothesized that the Seven Devils would be seven peaks, since the road there was effectively winding around the crest of the hill. Personally, I counted about 9, but I suppose that two of them didn't actually qualify as a "peak". Anyway, that was a fun ride, very windy and very up and down.
Finally, we arrived at a campsite just before Bandon and we actually reserved one of the last yurts, where I'm hammering this out tonight.
Three days ago, we started off in a yurt, launching our day into a fair weather without rain. Of course, we were nowhere near that fortunate, since as soon as we left the campsite, the rain began and never ended. The difference between yesterday and the second day was this: headwind. When we finally got to Depoe Bay, the synergy between wind and rain struck us with such force as to be able to feel it as a steep hill or to topple me when it deigned to blow to the side. It took us an hour and a half to simply ride about ten miles. At Depoe, we had a solid hot lunch, but more importantly, bought time to rest and dry off. Mike also popped us a question that at the very least Liz and I had not considered: the possibility of having the car follow us as a support wagon.
Unfortunately, as soon as we opened the door to the outside, the wind streamed into the store and chilled us so much so that as Mike walked outside, Jeff, Liz, and I took a leap backwards shivering. After finally mustering the heat to go outside, we huddled together outside laughing and giggling at every murmur, each joke: all this to distract us from the reality of cold winds and wet clothes.
We therefore were at a crossroads: to continue riding into five days of rain and high winds around "Cape Foulweather" or to hide in our SUV, drive down until the weather clears, and continue without luggage. We chose to delay a bit by taking out a local motel, even though we had only ridden 10 miles or so and was only about noon. There, we chose the latter, and gave Mike's brother, John and his mother a call. Their support wagon arrived only a few hours later and we all went out to dinner together. I was actually feeling ambivalent at the time about the car situation, but as the days rolled on, I became all the more fond of having a car around. Thank you again, John and Joanne so much, because I appreciate your help more and more every day. John, thank you for all the great food we had at your house, because I don't think I ever said that enough, and that apple cider was unbelievably good. Joanne, thank you for coming with us when we started, thank you for housing us for two days, and thank you both again for coming out in our time of need.
---------------
Two days ago:
Well, we took a leap forward about 90 miles or so, jumping from where we started all the way to Newport, where we ate some great clam chowder at world famous "Mo's" restaurant and checked out the aquariums. There were some really weird fish and some extremely cute sea otters. I have great pictures to share, but unfortunately, my connection is too slow to upload them at this time. The chowder at Mo's was delicious, although I personally preferred the little cafe at Seaside City. Although Jeff and Liz each had their own different favorites, we could all agree that the chowder has been excellent overall. We ended that day at Florence and retired to a game of Scrabble at the Holiday Inn Express. Yours truly emerged victorious, much to Liz and Jeff's chagrin.
------------------
Yesterday:
We spent the entire day at Honeyman National Park, arriving there shortly after breakfast at the Holiday Inn. Jeff, Liz and I went on a quest to see the sea. We started on a dunes trail, and scaled the dunes. As I climbed, I discovered that climbing nearly vertical dunes was not easy on my beat up calves and found a newfound appreciation for "Lawrence of Arabia". Every step I took that raised me higher by a foot was followed by sand slipping about 6 inches beneath my feet. That was not an easy climb. At the crest, we saw the ocean...a few miles of dunes and forest away. Our quest shifted promptly to finding the way back. After fruitlessly searching for an alternate path for maybe half an hour, finding nothing but deer trails, we decided to go back the way we came. Arriving at the camp, Jeff and Liz napped while I inhaled some literature: "Red Mars". We had Liz's amazing food (more amazing that she cooked it at a campsite) for dinner, and went to sleep soon after.
-----------------------------
Today:
Miles: 70!
Weather: My, oh, my, what a wonderful day. Plenty of sunshine headin' my way, Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay!
Route: Honeyman to Bandon
Today, without any of the bags on the bikes, we set out from Honeyman towards Coos Bay early at about 8 or so. In the next four hours, we rode about forty five miles over two small hills (400 ft or so). Hills are infinitely easier when we don't have the panniers dragging us down. Add that to the fantastic tailwind and sunny skies that we were getting, and we had a recipe-perfect day to be biking.
After a lunch at Subway, where Jeff and Liz whined about their poor sandwiches, (my own was excellent) we shopped at Big 5 to pick up some tights for Liz. For the next few hours, she would spontaneously spread out over the floor bemoaning the excellence and comfort of her spandex leggings.
From North Bend (where we stopped for lunch), we headed off onto the "Seven Devil's Road" towards Bandon. We all hypothesized that the Seven Devils would be seven peaks, since the road there was effectively winding around the crest of the hill. Personally, I counted about 9, but I suppose that two of them didn't actually qualify as a "peak". Anyway, that was a fun ride, very windy and very up and down.
Finally, we arrived at a campsite just before Bandon and we actually reserved one of the last yurts, where I'm hammering this out tonight.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Rain Captivity Continues
Day two of rain captivity continues. The sky continues to pee on us without relent. However, I will not let weather determine whether or not I will ride. I rode about 14 miles this morning when the weather was relatively okay. The scenery was amazing and then in Newport we saw the aquariums. Then we drove down to Florence (i choose to capitulate to the weather on this one) and are once again staying in a motel due to the inclement hatred of the weather gods.
hopefully there will be a better chance to ride in the upcoming days.
bleh.
hopefully there will be a better chance to ride in the upcoming days.
bleh.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Rain + cold + headwind = sucks
So basically the combo of rain, coldness, and a rather hefty headwind has resulted in our early stop in Depoe Bay which is only ten miles south of where we started in Lincoln City. Also due to the forecast of crap weather for the next week we have decided to get a sag wagon i.e. Jeff's grandma and Uncle drove the car out to us so we can still go down the coast without catching pneumonia and sleeping in the rain. sidenote: THANK YOU!! Anywho I will leave George and Jeff to fill in the details of their methane wars and sick pleasure in Mike's frozen joints.
Third Day in Oregon
Miles: 44
Weather: Sunny
Route: Tillamook to Devil's Lake State Park, OR
Liz and I discussed a lot about how the third day of riding would be the absolute worst, hardest thing, ever. Turns out, wasn't nearly so bad. There was one hill that was an absolute crapshoot, but beyond that, most of the day was flat. Really, the best thing today was the fair weather. I was extremely impressed from seeing the sun again after a day and a half and it made riding today infinitely easier.
I also got to try the trailer today. On flats, it was actually not a horribly hard thing to do, I just had to downshift a gear or so and basically, I was expending the same quantity of energy, I was just going a lot slower. There were these two hills right before Seaside City that completely annihilated me, however. For those, even the lowest gear was extremely exhausting.
The good thing is that once we got to Seaside City, we hit up this tiny little cafe to the left of the road going into it. They had quite honestly the most delicious chicken and wild rice soup I have ever had in my life, and it was topped off with superb bread. Add in a great Sicilian sandwich and I was absolutely in heaven.
All in all, it was a productive riding day, and though tiring, I came out feeling pretty good. Especially now that I'm about to sleep in a yurt. At this rate, I'll be too spoiled to stay in a tent anymore!
The sun is definitely one thing that I would absolutely love to see again. Unfortunately, from what it sounds like, we may be in for some additional rain tomorrow. If so, hopefully we can get ourselves another yurt or a motel. I'm really enjoying these yurts though.
Weather: Sunny
Route: Tillamook to Devil's Lake State Park, OR
Liz and I discussed a lot about how the third day of riding would be the absolute worst, hardest thing, ever. Turns out, wasn't nearly so bad. There was one hill that was an absolute crapshoot, but beyond that, most of the day was flat. Really, the best thing today was the fair weather. I was extremely impressed from seeing the sun again after a day and a half and it made riding today infinitely easier.
I also got to try the trailer today. On flats, it was actually not a horribly hard thing to do, I just had to downshift a gear or so and basically, I was expending the same quantity of energy, I was just going a lot slower. There were these two hills right before Seaside City that completely annihilated me, however. For those, even the lowest gear was extremely exhausting.
The good thing is that once we got to Seaside City, we hit up this tiny little cafe to the left of the road going into it. They had quite honestly the most delicious chicken and wild rice soup I have ever had in my life, and it was topped off with superb bread. Add in a great Sicilian sandwich and I was absolutely in heaven.
All in all, it was a productive riding day, and though tiring, I came out feeling pretty good. Especially now that I'm about to sleep in a yurt. At this rate, I'll be too spoiled to stay in a tent anymore!
The sun is definitely one thing that I would absolutely love to see again. Unfortunately, from what it sounds like, we may be in for some additional rain tomorrow. If so, hopefully we can get ourselves another yurt or a motel. I'm really enjoying these yurts though.
Tent Experience
upon request from george this has been included:
a tale of jeff and liz in their tent
(Jeff is lying peacefully in the tent, relaxed and reading a book, enter liz through the door)
Jeff: Hey liz. (Liz gets in tent and lays down)
Liz: Hi.
Jeff: (realizes he is hungry for cookies, however the cookies are located in the other tent with Mike and George and since he is tired and had to ride with the trailer for most of the day he asks very politely) Hey liz, would you mind walking the three feet to the other tent and getting the cookies?
Liz: NO.
Jeff: (pleading and persuading) Pleaseeeee!
Liz: NO.
Jeff: fine. ill get them on my own. (he has to leave his comfortable post to go and get some cookies, returns to tent) i hope you are happy. now you will feel my wrath for not getting the cookies. (Jeff releases massive, atomic, sulfuric fart)
Liz: Noooooooooo.
Jeff: (cackling) And now since the rain fly is on, there is now way for it to escape!!! HAHAHAHA.
(George and Mike laugh hysterically and as Liz gags she learns her lesson.
end scene
a tale of jeff and liz in their tent
(Jeff is lying peacefully in the tent, relaxed and reading a book, enter liz through the door)
Jeff: Hey liz. (Liz gets in tent and lays down)
Liz: Hi.
Jeff: (realizes he is hungry for cookies, however the cookies are located in the other tent with Mike and George and since he is tired and had to ride with the trailer for most of the day he asks very politely) Hey liz, would you mind walking the three feet to the other tent and getting the cookies?
Liz: NO.
Jeff: (pleading and persuading) Pleaseeeee!
Liz: NO.
Jeff: fine. ill get them on my own. (he has to leave his comfortable post to go and get some cookies, returns to tent) i hope you are happy. now you will feel my wrath for not getting the cookies. (Jeff releases massive, atomic, sulfuric fart)
Liz: Noooooooooo.
Jeff: (cackling) And now since the rain fly is on, there is now way for it to escape!!! HAHAHAHA.
(George and Mike laugh hysterically and as Liz gags she learns her lesson.
end scene
Thursday
Miles: 46
Day: Ride of June 4
Route: TILLAMOOK to LINCOLN CITY
Sorry no post yesterday, but we were all pretty wiped and were asleep by about 830ish.
So yesterday the ride was pretty nice. The morning weather was a little tentative and was slightly overcast and misty. However, the sun god smiled on us and the heavens opened and we got sun for the majority of the day. This was a vast improvement over the previous day's foul weather. The ride itself was relatively easy. The terrain was mostly flat and the scenery was breathtaking. We were able to ride off the main road and see more of the 'country'-side (cows and trees). We also saw a large amount of the coast, which was also very beautiful due to its undeveloped and wild appearance. We had lunch at a cafe where the food was excellent. Everything from the bread to the soup and sandwiches was AWESOME. The last riding part of the day included a very large hill, and when i say very large hill I mean a two-mile 6% grade beast. We all struggled with the task but were able to make it up without any major problems. The ride down was more enjoyable. We are currently camping at Devil's Lake National Park (another good place for scenery).
Another note: George took his first spin with the trailer today and had to ride up a couple hills. While I was stopped halfway up to take a picture, he rode by and it is worth quoting what he said, "I hate your (expletive) guts!"
Today we will be riding slightly past Newport. Stopping there to see the aquarium.
Well thats it for now...more later
Day: Ride of June 4
Route: TILLAMOOK to LINCOLN CITY
Sorry no post yesterday, but we were all pretty wiped and were asleep by about 830ish.
So yesterday the ride was pretty nice. The morning weather was a little tentative and was slightly overcast and misty. However, the sun god smiled on us and the heavens opened and we got sun for the majority of the day. This was a vast improvement over the previous day's foul weather. The ride itself was relatively easy. The terrain was mostly flat and the scenery was breathtaking. We were able to ride off the main road and see more of the 'country'-side (cows and trees). We also saw a large amount of the coast, which was also very beautiful due to its undeveloped and wild appearance. We had lunch at a cafe where the food was excellent. Everything from the bread to the soup and sandwiches was AWESOME. The last riding part of the day included a very large hill, and when i say very large hill I mean a two-mile 6% grade beast. We all struggled with the task but were able to make it up without any major problems. The ride down was more enjoyable. We are currently camping at Devil's Lake National Park (another good place for scenery).
Another note: George took his first spin with the trailer today and had to ride up a couple hills. While I was stopped halfway up to take a picture, he rode by and it is worth quoting what he said, "I hate your (expletive) guts!"
Today we will be riding slightly past Newport. Stopping there to see the aquarium.
Well thats it for now...more later
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Second Day of Biking
okay so this is how it went down:
first day went great. we had overcast or sunshine most of the day ending with a slight mist. we encountered a couple of hills that were taxing but not impossible, even with a heavy trailer behind me. Without the trailer the bike is much MUCH easier to ride. We stopped at Nehalem State beach park where we pitched the tents underneath some trees, made dinner in the light rain, and promptly passed out. At this point the light mist turned into a steady downpour that would last late into the next day. George and my Dad were to have a good nights sleep and wake up rested and DRY. Liz and I on the other hand were to experience a slightly different night. It is best told in dialogue form:
Jeff: (Jeff is awaken with his left side soaking) Liz, hey can you scoot over a bit because Im soaking here against the wall.
Liz: (A little wet as well) I can't, im soaking too.
Jeff: Really? (Flashlight clicks on) Oh crap! There is a puddle of water next to both you and me.
Liz: (groans...)
Jeff: Okay, im going to go and restake our rainfly. (restaking...and return to tent)
Liz: The only dry parts were by our heads.
Jeff: Crap.
Liz: Lets just mop up what we can. (clean up continues for quite a while..........................................................................................................)
Jeff: Okay im going to get a get the campstove so we can heat this place up and get dry. (camp stove lit and somewhat drying); okay, thats as dry as its going to get. but we need to sleep and since your sleeping bag is the only dry one we are going to have to sleep in it together.
Liz: I dont think that will work.
Jeff: It will work.
Liz: How?
Jeff: OKay, im going to lay down on the bag and then you are going to lay on top of me, ill start the zipper and then you will finish zipping. (carry out plan and it surprisingly works, however...) Liz I can't breathe.
Liz: Well what should we do?
Jeff: We have to spoon. (spend much effort rotating inside very tight sleeping bag and eventually reach this position, however now my arm in pinned under Liz and I have to wake up every 20 minutes or so to coax it back to life, Morning finnally arrives)
Dad: hey guys wake up@! (Jeff relates story)
After the hectic night we rode to Tillamook, in the rain, and decided to spend the remainder of the day and the night in a Best Western to dry things out.
Hopefully the next day will prove better for riding conditions and we will be able to get far down the rode.
End Post.
first day went great. we had overcast or sunshine most of the day ending with a slight mist. we encountered a couple of hills that were taxing but not impossible, even with a heavy trailer behind me. Without the trailer the bike is much MUCH easier to ride. We stopped at Nehalem State beach park where we pitched the tents underneath some trees, made dinner in the light rain, and promptly passed out. At this point the light mist turned into a steady downpour that would last late into the next day. George and my Dad were to have a good nights sleep and wake up rested and DRY. Liz and I on the other hand were to experience a slightly different night. It is best told in dialogue form:
Jeff: (Jeff is awaken with his left side soaking) Liz, hey can you scoot over a bit because Im soaking here against the wall.
Liz: (A little wet as well) I can't, im soaking too.
Jeff: Really? (Flashlight clicks on) Oh crap! There is a puddle of water next to both you and me.
Liz: (groans...)
Jeff: Okay, im going to go and restake our rainfly. (restaking...and return to tent)
Liz: The only dry parts were by our heads.
Jeff: Crap.
Liz: Lets just mop up what we can. (clean up continues for quite a while..........................................................................................................)
Jeff: Okay im going to get a get the campstove so we can heat this place up and get dry. (camp stove lit and somewhat drying); okay, thats as dry as its going to get. but we need to sleep and since your sleeping bag is the only dry one we are going to have to sleep in it together.
Liz: I dont think that will work.
Jeff: It will work.
Liz: How?
Jeff: OKay, im going to lay down on the bag and then you are going to lay on top of me, ill start the zipper and then you will finish zipping. (carry out plan and it surprisingly works, however...) Liz I can't breathe.
Liz: Well what should we do?
Jeff: We have to spoon. (spend much effort rotating inside very tight sleeping bag and eventually reach this position, however now my arm in pinned under Liz and I have to wake up every 20 minutes or so to coax it back to life, Morning finnally arrives)
Dad: hey guys wake up@! (Jeff relates story)
After the hectic night we rode to Tillamook, in the rain, and decided to spend the remainder of the day and the night in a Best Western to dry things out.
Hopefully the next day will prove better for riding conditions and we will be able to get far down the rode.
End Post.
Bikes yo!
So to follow up on George's previous post, yes, Jeff and I definitely did not wake up in the driest of states. Our rain fly wasn't exactly staked out properly and considering the tight quarters we were rubbing up against the side of the tent; essentially we got soaked and it occurred to us at about 230 in the morning. Consequently, we spent an hour and a half trying to dry things out with the camp stove.
Regardless, I'd say the trip is going well and honestly really fun. It's been nice to see the scenery from the bikes and have the option to stop at look whenever we want. The coast is truly spectacular and the greenery has been nothing short of breathtaking even in the gray, rainy weather.
Speaking of the weather though, we've stopped early for the day at a hotel to dry out our things so one we can stay warm and two keep the water log from weighing down the load too much. The break is definitely nice as I can feel my legs are a little tired, but hopefully a good night's rest will cure that along with endless food : )
Oh and last thing Tillamook Cheese is delicious espescially in free sample form.
Regardless, I'd say the trip is going well and honestly really fun. It's been nice to see the scenery from the bikes and have the option to stop at look whenever we want. The coast is truly spectacular and the greenery has been nothing short of breathtaking even in the gray, rainy weather.
Speaking of the weather though, we've stopped early for the day at a hotel to dry out our things so one we can stay warm and two keep the water log from weighing down the load too much. The break is definitely nice as I can feel my legs are a little tired, but hopefully a good night's rest will cure that along with endless food : )
Oh and last thing Tillamook Cheese is delicious espescially in free sample form.
Day 2: Nehalem to Tillamook, OR
Miles: 26
Weather: Still Raining.
Route: From Nehalem Bay State Park to Tillamook, CA
First of all, let me just say riding through rain and wind is a horrible feeling to endure. Mike and I woke up relatively dry although Liz and Jeff can't say the same, but I'll leave it to them to talk about that.
The ride today was pretty short, though relatively flat. All the time, it still blew since we were all really beat by the time we got to Tillamook. The combination of rain-soaked clothes, lack of sleep, and other factors really got to us.
Tillamook Cheese Factory was pretty cool though. There's few things better than getting to taste a bunch of fine cheeses and having some of the most deliciously sweet and creamy ice cream after a few hours of hard riding. One of them is a warm and more importantly, dry, motel room after being damp for a day and a half. And then, I hopped into a hot sauna that totally relaxes each and every muscle. That's just heavenly.
And that is where I'll end this post: reading a book (Shadow of the Hegemon - Orson Scott Card), in a hotel lobby, after having some great dinner of chicken, salad and wine.
It's been a pretty good day.
Weather: Still Raining.
Route: From Nehalem Bay State Park to Tillamook, CA
First of all, let me just say riding through rain and wind is a horrible feeling to endure. Mike and I woke up relatively dry although Liz and Jeff can't say the same, but I'll leave it to them to talk about that.
The ride today was pretty short, though relatively flat. All the time, it still blew since we were all really beat by the time we got to Tillamook. The combination of rain-soaked clothes, lack of sleep, and other factors really got to us.
Tillamook Cheese Factory was pretty cool though. There's few things better than getting to taste a bunch of fine cheeses and having some of the most deliciously sweet and creamy ice cream after a few hours of hard riding. One of them is a warm and more importantly, dry, motel room after being damp for a day and a half. And then, I hopped into a hot sauna that totally relaxes each and every muscle. That's just heavenly.
And that is where I'll end this post: reading a book (Shadow of the Hegemon - Orson Scott Card), in a hotel lobby, after having some great dinner of chicken, salad and wine.
It's been a pretty good day.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Day 1 - Astoria to Nehalem, OR
Miles: 41
Weather: Rainy
Route: Astoria, OR to Nehalem State Park, OR
Alright, so today was actually the first real day of biking. We camped last night up in Astoria, the northernmost point of Oregon and began our ride there. For most of the first half it was nice weather and flat terrain. That first hill though, was intense. 600 feet or so doesn't sound like a lot at all, but when I had the packs on the back wheel, I definitely felt it. Thank god we have low gears, so I can just set it to that and chug my way through slowly.
The second half was not nearly as nice. The rain started around 2 or so, and it's still going as of 9pm when I write this. My windbreaker was waterproof, so that definitely kept my upper body dry. Even so, my legs were cold and definitely venting heat. We also hit two more hills, together called the Neahkahnie (Nee-ahh-ka-ha-nee) Mountains. Apparently it means Fire Mountain, and let me just say, despite the wind/rain chill factor, my muscles still burned. Nothing like ice and fire together to make this feel like an adventure.
Not surprisingly, there were none of the insulated tents available for us, so we pitched our tents under two trees. I'm glad our rainflies have held up so far, and I'm praying that they will continue to do so tonight.
We've revised our plans a bit, and may be at Gold Beach by next Monday night, instead of Tuesday. Tomorrow, we'll sample some great cheese at the Tillamook Cheese Factory,, and with any luck, make it at least to Pacific City. If all goes according to plan, it will be another fun rainy day, though only with one hill and 50 miles.
Weather: Rainy
Route: Astoria, OR to Nehalem State Park, OR
Alright, so today was actually the first real day of biking. We camped last night up in Astoria, the northernmost point of Oregon and began our ride there. For most of the first half it was nice weather and flat terrain. That first hill though, was intense. 600 feet or so doesn't sound like a lot at all, but when I had the packs on the back wheel, I definitely felt it. Thank god we have low gears, so I can just set it to that and chug my way through slowly.
The second half was not nearly as nice. The rain started around 2 or so, and it's still going as of 9pm when I write this. My windbreaker was waterproof, so that definitely kept my upper body dry. Even so, my legs were cold and definitely venting heat. We also hit two more hills, together called the Neahkahnie (Nee-ahh-ka-ha-nee) Mountains. Apparently it means Fire Mountain, and let me just say, despite the wind/rain chill factor, my muscles still burned. Nothing like ice and fire together to make this feel like an adventure.
Not surprisingly, there were none of the insulated tents available for us, so we pitched our tents under two trees. I'm glad our rainflies have held up so far, and I'm praying that they will continue to do so tonight.
We've revised our plans a bit, and may be at Gold Beach by next Monday night, instead of Tuesday. Tomorrow, we'll sample some great cheese at the Tillamook Cheese Factory,, and with any luck, make it at least to Pacific City. If all goes according to plan, it will be another fun rainy day, though only with one hill and 50 miles.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
5/29 (Lost Count of Days)
Jeff:
Today we didn't do any riding and chose to go and check out La Jolla Cove on the kayaks. We saw the Garibaldi (read gold fish for Liz) and seals. Other than that we got the stuff ready and made dinner for the parents (read Liz was the chef and George the labor). We also worked on our tans and I took L and G to a genuine surf shop to get some decent sandals. I think they like them... Tonight we are leaving to drive to Berkeley and hopefully will not encounter any problems.
Other than that the time in SD has been relaxing, productive, and I'm bummed that we couldn't be here longer.
Today we didn't do any riding and chose to go and check out La Jolla Cove on the kayaks. We saw the Garibaldi (read gold fish for Liz) and seals. Other than that we got the stuff ready and made dinner for the parents (read Liz was the chef and George the labor). We also worked on our tans and I took L and G to a genuine surf shop to get some decent sandals. I think they like them... Tonight we are leaving to drive to Berkeley and hopefully will not encounter any problems.
Other than that the time in SD has been relaxing, productive, and I'm bummed that we couldn't be here longer.
Point Loma
Distance: ~33 miles
Route: Google Maps
So yesterday was a fun day, like Jeff planned, we rode down to point loma, which was actually a pretty tough ride. Mainly, we had to scale two (in my opinion) extremely steep hills. I had to put the bike into lowest gear and just pedal quick to get up that thing. Unfortunately, when I'm going at such a slow pace, my balance on the bike is less than ideal. I don't know how I'm going to handle the bags that would kill balance even more.
Had a fun fall off my bike yesterday. As I pulled into a red light, my feet clips would just not unclip, and I basically fell over as I lost control, feeling like an idiot. Thing to remember: when I fall, fall RIGHT, away from traffic.
Route: Google Maps
So yesterday was a fun day, like Jeff planned, we rode down to point loma, which was actually a pretty tough ride. Mainly, we had to scale two (in my opinion) extremely steep hills. I had to put the bike into lowest gear and just pedal quick to get up that thing. Unfortunately, when I'm going at such a slow pace, my balance on the bike is less than ideal. I don't know how I'm going to handle the bags that would kill balance even more.
Had a fun fall off my bike yesterday. As I pulled into a red light, my feet clips would just not unclip, and I basically fell over as I lost control, feeling like an idiot. Thing to remember: when I fall, fall RIGHT, away from traffic.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Day 6
Jefe:
We didn't ride yesterday, it probably gave George and Liz a little recovery time. Today we will be riding out to Point Loma. Should be a decent ride since going there will be into the wind and returning will give us a tail wind. There will only be one hill to truly ride up on the return. Hopefully everyone is getting into better shape by now and on the tour will not have any trouble.
The weather is great and the mexican food is wowing G and L.
I will take them out to La Jolla Cove tomorrow for a morning paddle so they can see the Garibaldi. Things are going well so far.
We didn't ride yesterday, it probably gave George and Liz a little recovery time. Today we will be riding out to Point Loma. Should be a decent ride since going there will be into the wind and returning will give us a tail wind. There will only be one hill to truly ride up on the return. Hopefully everyone is getting into better shape by now and on the tour will not have any trouble.
The weather is great and the mexican food is wowing G and L.
I will take them out to La Jolla Cove tomorrow for a morning paddle so they can see the Garibaldi. Things are going well so far.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Training in San Diego
Location: Camp Pendleton (San Diego)
Miles Today: 25
Route: Google Maps
Well that was a tough day for all of us I think. We woke up pretty early, and decided to bike inland about 12 miles or so. In terms of scenery, it was repetitive but surprising that terrain can change so much within only few miles. From being parked on the beach, we went to SoCal outback within that distance. It was a mix of reds, yellows, and greens, mixed on an artist's pallet and smeared across the hills with electric poles marching across them: very different from the sandy beach that we're camped at.
Unfortunately, Liz took a dive when she and Jeff's bike collided in a minor accident. Nobody was hurt seriously, though she got a few bruises and scrapes along her arm. The bikes took a blow though, with Jeff and Liz each losing a few spokes. Hopefully, we won't see too many of this along the trip, although I doubt that we'll avoid them altogether.
As for myself, I was able to keep up with the pack, a complete departure from yesterday when I trailed them by what was probably close to a minute. I think the problem is that yesterday we encountered far more hills, though I suppose we can't really call them that, based on how small they really were. While I can keep up with these guys on flat ground,as soon as we hit an incline, my muscles just do not put out the kind of power I need from them. I'm not overly concerned, to be honest, since I figure that I'll be getting in much better shape as this trip continues.
Miles Today: 25
Route: Google Maps
Well that was a tough day for all of us I think. We woke up pretty early, and decided to bike inland about 12 miles or so. In terms of scenery, it was repetitive but surprising that terrain can change so much within only few miles. From being parked on the beach, we went to SoCal outback within that distance. It was a mix of reds, yellows, and greens, mixed on an artist's pallet and smeared across the hills with electric poles marching across them: very different from the sandy beach that we're camped at.
Unfortunately, Liz took a dive when she and Jeff's bike collided in a minor accident. Nobody was hurt seriously, though she got a few bruises and scrapes along her arm. The bikes took a blow though, with Jeff and Liz each losing a few spokes. Hopefully, we won't see too many of this along the trip, although I doubt that we'll avoid them altogether.
As for myself, I was able to keep up with the pack, a complete departure from yesterday when I trailed them by what was probably close to a minute. I think the problem is that yesterday we encountered far more hills, though I suppose we can't really call them that, based on how small they really were. While I can keep up with these guys on flat ground,as soon as we hit an incline, my muscles just do not put out the kind of power I need from them. I'm not overly concerned, to be honest, since I figure that I'll be getting in much better shape as this trip continues.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Jeff pretty much covered the first half of the day. That bike ride was definitely tiring, and I spent a good deal of it trying to remember why I decided to do this instead of chilling on my bed at home.
Afterwards, I failed at some boogie boarding, and we had a great dinner with Sergio's. I gotta say, I wish they would move up to Berkeley. I would just absolutely love it. Their burritos just have a special way about them, everything from the tortilla to the meat is just incredible.
Food on this trip has been A+.
Afterwards, I failed at some boogie boarding, and we had a great dinner with Sergio's. I gotta say, I wish they would move up to Berkeley. I would just absolutely love it. Their burritos just have a special way about them, everything from the tortilla to the meat is just incredible.
Food on this trip has been A+.
Day 4 San Diego
Jefe:
Today we all got up fairly early (read 8am, yes this is early) and got ready for our first real test ride. I took George and Liz down the coast heading south from Oceanside. We rode about 12-13 miles south, stopping in northern Encinitas. From there we turned around and returned home. It was a good ride with nice weather. George struggled on the return trip as it was the first time he had ever done something like this. Liz did really well, often times leaving us behind because we were too slow for her. However, the ride was successful and confidence is building along with skill. I have great confidence that by the time we have reached the Oregon Coast both of my friends will be more than capable of the daily rides.
Also they are getting better at kayaking and dealing with the puppies. This way of life if full of new and different experiences for them and it is interesting to see how they are dealing with it.
More will come...
Today we all got up fairly early (read 8am, yes this is early) and got ready for our first real test ride. I took George and Liz down the coast heading south from Oceanside. We rode about 12-13 miles south, stopping in northern Encinitas. From there we turned around and returned home. It was a good ride with nice weather. George struggled on the return trip as it was the first time he had ever done something like this. Liz did really well, often times leaving us behind because we were too slow for her. However, the ride was successful and confidence is building along with skill. I have great confidence that by the time we have reached the Oregon Coast both of my friends will be more than capable of the daily rides.
Also they are getting better at kayaking and dealing with the puppies. This way of life if full of new and different experiences for them and it is interesting to see how they are dealing with it.
More will come...
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Day Three - San Diego
I got woken up by Sheba kissing (and slobbering over) me all over my face. A guy can really get used to this.
After that, Jeff, Liz, and I went out for a quick stroll around a parking lot with our touring bikes, and I was very pleasantly surprised how easy it was to balance on them today. I think a night of sleep really brought back the latent memories of biking, which I really hadn't done in a while. Still can't do that no-hands thing though.
We did some really fun kayakin after that. I noticed that with the fat yellow kayak (the one Amos had) I could actually intend to ride waves and actually do it. After switching back to the sleeker white one, I still did alright, catching a wave or two. Hell, I got so incredibly skilled at doing it that I was able to catch waves while not even on the kayak.
After showering, I exercised out my bottomless stomach and was pleasantly informed that I could in fact stuff down a steak, a chicken breast, bunch of sushi, salad, and a bunch of shrimp. Topped it off with some delicious cookies too. Good stuff. Delicious.
Of course, when is camping ever good without a campfire? Exactly. We built a pretty decent fire complete with delicious marshmallows. The stars in San Diego always feel a little lacking, since there's so many clouds that I can't seem to see anything at night. On the other hand, the sunset lit up some hills in the distance to create a kind of 4-layer Neapolitan with roads on the bottom, followed by chocolate hills, strawberry clouds, and orange sky, all sprinkled with a serving of headlights in both directions. It's one of those moments that make me really want a SLR to fool around with, since my point and shoot couldn't capture anything under the low-light conditions.
Anyway, off to bed with Mr. Blitz again. I swear, if Sheba wakes me up...
After that, Jeff, Liz, and I went out for a quick stroll around a parking lot with our touring bikes, and I was very pleasantly surprised how easy it was to balance on them today. I think a night of sleep really brought back the latent memories of biking, which I really hadn't done in a while. Still can't do that no-hands thing though.
We did some really fun kayakin after that. I noticed that with the fat yellow kayak (the one Amos had) I could actually intend to ride waves and actually do it. After switching back to the sleeker white one, I still did alright, catching a wave or two. Hell, I got so incredibly skilled at doing it that I was able to catch waves while not even on the kayak.
After showering, I exercised out my bottomless stomach and was pleasantly informed that I could in fact stuff down a steak, a chicken breast, bunch of sushi, salad, and a bunch of shrimp. Topped it off with some delicious cookies too. Good stuff. Delicious.
Of course, when is camping ever good without a campfire? Exactly. We built a pretty decent fire complete with delicious marshmallows. The stars in San Diego always feel a little lacking, since there's so many clouds that I can't seem to see anything at night. On the other hand, the sunset lit up some hills in the distance to create a kind of 4-layer Neapolitan with roads on the bottom, followed by chocolate hills, strawberry clouds, and orange sky, all sprinkled with a serving of headlights in both directions. It's one of those moments that make me really want a SLR to fool around with, since my point and shoot couldn't capture anything under the low-light conditions.
Anyway, off to bed with Mr. Blitz again. I swear, if Sheba wakes me up...
Day 2 - San Diego
Well, last night was just a bundle of fun. I woke up more than a few times at night thinking that there would be a lot of rain, when in reality it was just the gale winds blowing the rainfly into the tent. Now, fortunately, even though I only got sand in my ears and mouth, I had a easier time than my tentmates, for whom the tent completely collapsed onto their faces.
Today was a chill day, Liz and I attempted some racquetball, and actually improved quite a bit from hitting it into each other's heads and bodies. No biking today on account of wind and rain.
After that, we all headed over to Emily, Jeff's friend's, place, and had a delicious dinner there. Some incredible pasta with just all around good salad. Then we all kinda soaked into the hot tub, which was just...so fantastic. I have to say though, I think I kind of had a drug trip in that tub. First, before everything, allow me the disclaimer that I was not wearing any glasses, and thus had slightly fuzzy vision. With that said, I saw I floating tree. As I gazed across the yard, the only things that were lit up were various palm trees. However, I noticed one that apparently...ended in mid-air, and was supported only by a metal pole. 'A tree on a plate?' I thought to myself. Continuing my gaze, the realization of what was different about this "tree" hit me...it had creases. It was really a closed umbrella. The "bottom" was really just the edge. Awesome, aren't I?
Speaking of just strange hallucinations, it began to rain pretty hard while I was in that tub. i realized that if I threw most of my body into the water, but leaned back with my head, the hot tub would rob me of all my senses. But it was beautiful. The rain would just fall over my face unpredictably, and hit me me like tiny drops of consciousness. Each one hitting a slightly different place activating a different sensation of sudden coldness fading into nothing. Beautiful.
Anyway, I'm off to sleep in the trailerhome.
Today was a chill day, Liz and I attempted some racquetball, and actually improved quite a bit from hitting it into each other's heads and bodies. No biking today on account of wind and rain.
After that, we all headed over to Emily, Jeff's friend's, place, and had a delicious dinner there. Some incredible pasta with just all around good salad. Then we all kinda soaked into the hot tub, which was just...so fantastic. I have to say though, I think I kind of had a drug trip in that tub. First, before everything, allow me the disclaimer that I was not wearing any glasses, and thus had slightly fuzzy vision. With that said, I saw I floating tree. As I gazed across the yard, the only things that were lit up were various palm trees. However, I noticed one that apparently...ended in mid-air, and was supported only by a metal pole. 'A tree on a plate?' I thought to myself. Continuing my gaze, the realization of what was different about this "tree" hit me...it had creases. It was really a closed umbrella. The "bottom" was really just the edge. Awesome, aren't I?
Speaking of just strange hallucinations, it began to rain pretty hard while I was in that tub. i realized that if I threw most of my body into the water, but leaned back with my head, the hot tub would rob me of all my senses. But it was beautiful. The rain would just fall over my face unpredictably, and hit me me like tiny drops of consciousness. Each one hitting a slightly different place activating a different sensation of sudden coldness fading into nothing. Beautiful.
Anyway, I'm off to sleep in the trailerhome.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Arrival in San Diego
After driving about eight hours we arrived in SD. Surprisingly its actually overcast and its going to have a thunderstorm tonight. We'll be hangin out at pendleton for the rest of the day. I'm just testing out the blogger email thing with this, but expext updates as the month goes on.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)