Along Way from Portland (May 31, 2012)

Other than for 30 minutes during my ride from Lakeview, WA to Astoria, it has been a relatively dry ride. But this morning as I sit in my tent in Whalen Island County Park listening to the rain fall, I fear it will not be a dry ride today.

It feels so good to be back out on the road and putting in the mileage daily. So far my “couch training” method seems to have been sufficient. Granted the road has been fairly flat, but my body seems to be able to handle what few climbs I’ve had to get up and over.

Since last posting, I have put in four days of riding, and am now just north of Pacific City, OR. The ride from Portland to Lakeview (57 miles) was relatively uneventful … nice ride heading northwest along SR-30 with a nice gentle tailwind. The first 13 miles took me through Portland, east-to-west across town from the Airport area to St. Johns Bridge. If you are going to ride through a major urban area, there is probably no better time than a Sunday morning on a three-day weekend.

Lakeview to Astoria/Fort Stevens State Park (60 miles) was not an easy ride. I had had a conversation with a touring cyclist back in Stevenson, WA about the ride from Portland to Astoria. His comment was that there was one serious climb and then some rollers. Since the Portland-to-Lakeview (across the river from Rainier, OR) had been fairly flat, I knew I had a climb and some rollers on this leg. Just north of the bridge at Rainier there is a serious climb. Once cresting this climb, I figured the hard riding for the day was pretty much done … I was pretty much wrong. Add coldish wind and 30 minutes of rain and I was pretty much not a happy person upon my arrival to Astoria.

Astoria brightened my day. At the Safeway I had the opportunity to talk with Dee and Rog Sims. Dee and Rog are British and have been touring different parts of the world for the past two plus years. After completing my shopping, I headed for the Blue Scorcher Bakery. A friend in Tucson, Ian Johnson, had raved (yes, raved) about this wonderful bakery/restaurant that he recalled from his touring days. He was right … it was the perfect place to relax and enjoy quality food and a warm, comfortable atmosphere (think in terms of a bakery in Jerome, AZ). After achieving a high level of contentment, I headed on the Fort Stevens State Park and met up with Roger Simmons. Finally have to pull the tent, etc., out and camp … damn!

Roger and I rode down to Nehalem State Park (38 miles) along Hwy. 101, camped, then on to Whalen Island County Park (48 miles) … where I now sit listening to the rain fall on my tent. Yesterday we briefly met up with Frank Preston in Tillamook (the third member of our cross-county travel squad). I say briefly because coming out of Tillamook, Roger and I chose to take the scenic, non-climbing route … Frank opted for the scenic CLIMBING route. He was to meet us here, but unfortunately he managed to slice his finger somewhere along his route and returned to Tillamook for stitches. The plan is to meet up today.

One of the surprises of touring is what I call the “small world” event. Over the past three summers of touring, I have had several occurrences where an individual to whom I was talking turned out to know a person in my life. In Northern Utah I talked with a guy who went to high school with Sue McFadden … in the Michigan Upper Peninsula I talked with a guy who knew of my oldest brother from high school days in Scottsdale. This trip has already offered up such an event … riding south along 101, just north of Seaside, I saw a couple walking to their car from a store … thought I recognized the guy. Turns out it was Eric (last name does not come to mind), who I rode with many, many times with the Saturday morning riding group in Tempe. Very small world.

So, other than the current rain fall, it has been a delightful ride. We will be heading inland today toward Corvallis and Eugene, then on across central Oregon to Baker City (birthplace of the guy who founded the Air Stream Travel Trailer company … learned that several years ago when passing thru Baker City).

Wet day ahead.

Thoughts of Mt. Lemmon (May 26, 2012)

Day two ... Stevenson, WA to Portland ... 42 miles of spectacular scenery.

In early May, I decided to try a different approach to getting physically prepared for a summer bike trek. In the past I have put in two-to-three weeks of daily riding ... rides of forty to fifty miles, some without loaded panniers, some with. This year I decided to put in some serious "couch" time, with an occasional ride up Mt. Lemmon with the usual Tuesday group and with 300 of my closet GABA friends.

As it turns out (so far) my new training program is working. Upon waking this morning my body was relatively pain-free ... just the usual stiffness that this old body typically feels first thing.

Today's ride included a significant climb of approximately 900' elevation gain in about 3 miles. The elevation gain pales in comparison with the weekly ride up Mt. Lemmon; however the rides up Mt. Lemmon are on a bike that weighs approximately 18 pounds ... my touring bike, with loaded panniers, weighs around 70 pounds. But then I should also point out the gearing ratios on the touring bike allow for such weight. The picture with this post was taken at the top of the climb ... Cape Horn ... looking eastward up the Columbia River.

A quick note about this summer's trek, and why I am heading west along the Columbia River. This summer the plan is to ride from Astoria, OR to Maine by way of Central Oregon, Yellowstone, Iowa (RAGBRIA) and then on to Maine. I am meeting up with two friends in Astoria ... Roger Simmons and Frank Preston (actually due to current health issues, Frank will be meeting us in Tillamook, OR ... apparently cheese will cure what ails him). Both Roger and Frank rode across the country last summer ... experienced riders both.

As I am composing this it is pouring rain ... first night of camping still has not come to be.
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First Night of Camping (May 25, 2012)

The day after flying to Portland, OR on May 23, my long-time friend Bill Burke was kind enough to pick me up and give me a tour of the Columbia River Gorge ... spectacular to say the least. Included in the drive was a trip up to the Timberline Lodge at the base of Mt. Hood ... while my Tucson-area friends were sweltering in 100 degree temps, Bill and I were scurrying through a snow storm (or maybe just a flurry, but snow none-the-less). As is usual when Bill and I get together, we shared many a story which usually ended with great amounts of laughter. Bill has one of the great laughs ... even for an old codger.

On May 25, I started out on this summer's bike trek. This is the fourth summer in which I have traveled via my bike. I found I was not at all nervous about starting this adventure ... a very real calm. However at this morning's breakfast (and I think Bill will attest to this), I began to whine like a five year-old not wanting to start kindergarten. Quite pathetic, I am sure.

Just as responsible mothers get those five year-olds off to school, Bill pushed me down the road. This first day of riding was a short day ... 32 miles from Lyle, WA to Stevenson, WA. Riding in a westerly direction along the Columbia River provides a bike rider with a consistent, nay persistent, headwind. Other than the task of riding into the wind, it was a relatively easy day ... good way to start the trek. (On a side note for those in the Old Boys lunch group, the town of Stevenson was founded by a guy by the name of George Stevenson ...)

So, the trek has begun. As for the the first night of camping ... ain't happened yet.

Heading Home ... (August 19, 2011)

This two week long ride is done ... and the idea of heading toward New England has been scrapped.

Much like my ride two summers ago, I have grown weary of traveling alone ... guess I am just not good company for myself. I am tired, and have a desire to see familiar faces and places.

The riding has been terrific up here in the Michigan Upper Peninsula. Roads have been generally very ridable (bike lanes), and the scenery awe-inspiring ... but I did not meet-up with other touring cyclist as I had hoped I would. I did have some very nice conversations with other campers, but that is just not the same as the joyful conversations shared with other cyclist.

Speaking of "other campers" ... (and this is a very judgmental statement) do these "fifth-wheel and large mobile home campers" leave anything at home when they come out to the campgrounds? Good lord!

Once again my riding has allowed me to acquire a new appreciation for American History. I now have a little better knowledge of the struggle for territorial control between the up-start United States, the British and the French. Of course the Native Indian nations took it in the shorts, but that was the nature of European movement into the North American continent. For one thing I did not realize that there had been naval battles fought on the Great Lakes. The struggles between the various nations for control of the upper Midwest fur trading business was ongoing for many many decades.

Another aspect of this area that surprised me was the extent of traffic in the "sea lanes" through the Great Lakes. I stopped for a visit to the "ship wreck and lighthouse" museum at Whitefish Point. The number of ships hauling iron ore and other loads, and passing this Point, ran in the hundreds per day. Due to the great number of ships traversing these lanes of travel, there were a great number of collisions and, therefore, sinkings.

Back in the late 1970's, Gordon Lightfoot had a very successful song about the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald. I had romanticized this ship as a wooden ship that had sunk around 1890, or so. Ah, not so! The Edmund Fitzgerald sank in November, 1975. Another incorrect fact carried in my head for many years. I can only guess as to the amount of other "incorrect facts" I am carrying around.

So, two weeks of riding the perimeter of the Michigan Upper Peninsula, two weeks of very joyous riding and two weeks of some not-so-enjoyable camping. The joy of doing this every summer is in seeing areas I have not seen before, and getting a new appreciation of those areas. This is a very large country, and there is a lot of, for me, unseen areas. Looking forward to seeing other parts of the country in years to come ... but for right now, I need some familiar faces and places

It's a dog's life ... (August 11, 2011)

This little guy has it figured out. Just sit and watch the world go by. Course he probably does not have any money invested in the stock market.

Yesterday I took the ferry from St. Ignace, MI, over to Mackinac Island ... about a 15 minute boat ride. The Island is primarily a summer home and tourist location. Cars have been banned since 1902 (or so), which leaves walking, bike riding and horse-drawn carriages as the primary means of travel. Very nice not having to deal with cars, but the thousands of cyclists careening around causes one to be very careful when stepping off of the curb. But, as I say, nice not to deal with cars.

Once again, my bike touring has allowed me to take in history lessons that I missed (or slept through) during my years of schooling. Mackinac Island (pronounced "Mack-a-naw") was a key location in the disputes regarding who controlled the upper midwest ... the French, the British, or the newly formed Americans. The Island was also key to the fur trading industry, in as much as it sits at the joining of Lakes Michigan and Huron, and is easily accessed from Lake Superior.

One historical fact regarding the fort on Mackinac Island is that it was the location of the first confrontation of the War of 1812. I say "confrontation" because there was no fighting. The British, who were based at Fort Charles (northeast of Mackinac Island), received word that war had been declared, so they formed a war party and landed on Mackinac Island. The American army, who occupied the fort, did not know war had been declared until they looked out at the approaching 650 British soldiers and allied Indian tribesmen. Since there were only 50 Americans in the fort, the 24 year-old commanding officer decided to surrender. Very wise decision. Very interesting history.

Today I head north to Sault Ste. Marie ... you can see Canada from there (you bet'cha). Then I will head west along Lake Superior. Not at all sure what I will do when I get back to my truck (by Aug. 21). Not really enthused about traveling at the moment ... may head back to Arizona.

Oh well, all of these trips can't be great.

Found Him!!! (August 6, 2011)

I don't quite know how the FBI can not find this guy ... his name is right there on the mail box.

I finally found a sympathetic Park Ranger. The truck is now safely parked for two weeks and I am on the bike again. While it feels good to be "back on the saddle, again", the body is a little sore this evening. It has been almost a month since I finished up my Pacific Coast ride, and it is clear to me that I have lost much of the fitness gained during that five week ride. Fortunately, this portion of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan is quite flat. None-the-less, 35 miles in the heat and humidity has taken its' toll. Add that to several nights of sleeping ... or rather, trying to sleep ... in the heat and humidity and the end result is a night in an air conditioned hotel.

I am heading toward the Mackinaw City area, but have not decided if I will head south to the Traverse Bay area or stay up in the Upper Peninsula. The truck can be stored at Wells State Park for 15 days, so that limits the amount of miles I can cover on this trek (especially in this humid environment).

All-in-all, I am happy to be pedaling again ... just wish there was a way to spend time with familiar faces. Such is the fate of the lone traveler.

Many More Miles (August 3, 2011)

I have now traveled many miles ... very few on the bike.

Currently I am just south of Green Bay, Wisc., trying to figure out where and how to start my Lake Michigan/Lake Superior bike ride. My idea of leaving my truck at a Michigan State Campground is not happening ... seems the program of leaving a vehicle at a campground for several weeks only applies to camper trailers and large RVs. The program is intended to encourage campers to use less fuel if intending to frequent the same campground. My needs do not qualify.

Since last posting, I have covered a lot of miles ... Wyoming, South Dakota, Michigan and now Wisconsin. Cruising I-90 at 60 miles an hour is tedious, but traveling at that speed increases the "miles per gallon" number, so at 60 I go ... much to the displeasure of faster drivers.

I spent a couple of wonderful days in and around the Mount Rushmore area. Got two 30 mile rides in and spent time at both Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial. No pun intended, but creating these sculptures is monumental. Starting with a mountain, the sculptures are created via blasting and air-hammering. I find it hard to believe the amount of man hours required ... the Crazy Horse work has been going on since 1947.

The bike riding was enjoyable ... on the second day's ride I took advantage of riding on the Mickleson Trail. This rails-to-trails path is 101 miles long, running along the west side of the park areas. I only rode a small segment, but riding without worrying about vehicles is wonderful. Felt good. The first day of riding I rode on the main road leading to Mount Rushmore. Of the thousands of people viewing the sculpture, I think I was the only one who arrived on a bike. Not bragging; merely an observation.

I was very fortunate to make a connection with Lisa and Marty Brandt in Sioux Falls, SD. Lisa and Marty had been in Oshkosh, Wisc at the annual air show gathering. It was so very nice to see familiar faces. The weather was horrid (very hot and very humid), so sharing their air conditioned trailer was greatly appreciated ... that and the fact that I managed to lock my keys in my truck precluded any attempt to sleep in the bed of my truck.

So here I am trying to figure out where to leave my truck ... no good solutions come to mind at the moment.

Looking forward to getting back on my bike.