Cascade Locks to Portland 48 miles

 Steven and I said goodbye last night and this morning. We basically apologized for the times we got a little irritated with each other and talked a bit about the extraordinary adventure that we shared. We made a good match, actually. We enjoyed our experience in similar ways and we enjoyed each other’s company and looking out for each other. It’s hard not to get irritable with all of the demands of the trip. Some days you just don’t want to do it and then there is the heat and wind, etc. Steven and I will certainly keep in touch.

We missed out on finishing together. Stevens wife Robin planned a party of sorts for us and the local newspaper was to come. I felt that the fan fare would be palpable, but no. I never got to meet Robin but I feel that I will some day.

I rode today, alone mostly. The day and the weather was about perfect with temperatures in the 50s when I started this morning. The day started on the Columbia River Trail. It was in the 1920s the first scenic highway in the US. The was space for one car with small spaces for a car to pass. I imagined the tremendous amount of labor to cut this road into the mountains in the 1920s. The high point brought me from under 60’ above sea level to over 950 to an observatory on the mountain top. On the way we’re several waterfalls to marvel at. I enjoyed riding this route especially the mountain road with its spectacular views. The ride down the mountain brought me into Troutdale where I stopped at a coffee shop for lunch. A fellow cyclist invited me to join him at an outdoor table. He, Joel told me that he met a group of young men from Temple University and Cornell a couple of days ago. I broke into a big smile. It was nice to know that these guys who I last saw in Ohio had passed through and were probably finished.

Joel rode part way with me into Portland. Big city, much more traffic. He helped me stay of some of the busy roads. He was riding a little fast for me on his road bike, but it was nice to spend some time with him.

I made it to Joes bike shop in Portland. The crew couldn’t be more friendly and helpful. They directed me to a UPS and I rode my bike there and arranged to send my Panniers home. Joes is shipping my bike home. I spent some time on Hawthorne St, a shopping and restaurant district that is vibrant with young people. I ate Vietnamese there. Unfortunately it doesn’t compare to Vietnamese in the Boston area. 

I’m at the airport, my flight has been delayed two hours. I forgot that I had my Swiss Army knife and my water bottle had a little too much water in it so Homeland Security confiscated these treats to our safety. I was patted down pretty good too. I wonder what she was thinking when she felt my muscles.

I don’t know what I am supposed to feel now. I did it. It wasn’t a dream, it was something to do. What’s next, no idea. Thanks for reading. This was my first ever blog. Even though I didn’t put it out for a wide audience I really enjoyed doing it. There it is. Been there, done that. 

I miss my friends. There is nothing better.

Photos to come.

The Dalles to Cascadia Locks

 An unusual day. Steven woke up not feeling well. We rode a challenging route which included two stints onto the highway route 84 into a screaming headwind!  We also rode up this mountain and the wind was whipping so hard and unpredictably that it was dangerous

The whole day we climbed 2800’ Steven kept going. Early, I said that when I don’t feel well exercise usually helps a lot. It didn’t help Steven. I don’t know how he rode the 45 miles. 

I feel fine. Yes, Steven tested positive. 

Stevens ride ended at the hotel in Cascade locks

Biggs, OR to The Dalles, OR 25miles!

I just erased everything I wrote while I was trying to correct a spelling error the whole day disappeared! Agh!

It’s funny, the feeling when I get whether I bike 75 miles or 25 miles, when I have two miles  left or so I just want to get there. That was the case today, we cycled just 25 miles.

I didn’t want to climb out of Biggs over the busy bridge and up the steep escarpment with all the 18 wheelers moving through to the expressway and other roads. So Steven presented an option that involved staying on the Oregon side of the River and different scenery and a different kind of a ride. I said okay. We left Biggs and travelled about 4.5 miles on a road that was gently trending up. At 4.5 the gravel road started, it was much steeper than I imagined, even though Steven said that we’d have to push our bikes up. I was difficult to push our bikes, but soon it became kind of fun. I marveled at my stamina as I wound up the gravel road my feet sliding as I pushed. Boy oh boy was it worth it when we got to the top the air was a little cooler and we were up high looking at the grain or farms of hay a couple of farm houses and cows. And across the way more mountains and in between and way below the deep blue of the Columbia River. I wondered how many cyclists get to cone here a year, 10, maybe, maybe only us! This definitely was one of the most striking scenes of the trip. It was super fun to ride on the gravel too because it’s somewhat technical. It was over too quickly and we found ourselves back on a sparingly traveled paved road in the lower farm country. As we closed in on our destination, The Dalles, we got a stunning view of the snow covered Mt Hood and we were decending into our destination. It was exciting to see the city nestled against the Columbia as we approached.

Roosevelt Washington to Biggs, Oregon

Aug 2, 36 miles.

I mentally prepared for this. We shortened our day to 36 miles. I rode on Rte 14 and Steven crossed into Oregon on the John Day Dam around 20 miles. The ride was slow due to the strong winds. I accepted that my average speed would be between 7-9mph. I averaged 8.9 while climbing over 1500' throughout the ride. The ride was beautiful and the morning temps were cooler up high and that helped. I didn't count but there were many hundreds of wind mills storing power from the wind.

We are staying in Biggs, Or., Population Zero. It's a truck stop nestled in the mountains above the beautiful

 Columbia River.

4 days of riding to go!

i

umatilla, Washington to Roosevelt, Washington

53 miles of which 35 we're into a screaming headwind. No fun pedaling on the down hills and 8mph on the flats. The Columbia River was on our left all day.

We are staying at Roosevelt campground on the River. Steven and I are sitting at a convenience store. I am drinking a 40 ice tea made with Lemonade. I'm hydrating for tomorrow. Soon at 7pm when the store closes we will walk one mile back to the Riverside. There is a chance that my tent has blown away.