Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Long long long long time ago....













Arrived at Jesse Honeyman after the last full posting (not including the Bandon post) where we stayed in a secluded old growth hiker-biker camp section. As usual, the only ones camping there. Rode a long inland route to Sunset Bay campground. Had to cross a bridge by walking our bikes because it was too narrow. Rob saw the sign, however a cop had to tell me that through his megaphone before I found out. A quick stop in North Bend for bike repairs and food before heading to our campground near the coast. The hiker-biker section was closed so we camped amidst the sounds of generators and retiree laughter.


Day 8 we awoke to some light rain and proceeded along an off-route called "seven devils." It referred to seven hills we rode over. There was alot of fog that morning and the lawn fixins consisted mainly of Winnebago's and tires. Stopped at Bandon Dunes golf resort to grab a souvenir for Greg. Took a quick look at Bullards Beach State Park before deciding to stay in the Seaside guest house in Bandon. Did some quick laundry and rested before overeating at the local Mexican restaurant.

Day 9 was a reach to Humbug State Park. Late start considering no camp to break down. Pit stop at Coquille River jetty, across river from the lighthouse in the pic below. Mostly inland route until Port Orford. Rest (up a steep hill) at Port Orford Head State Park for some bangin views of the Ocean and rugged coast below. Nice camp at Humbug State Park. First warm, clear night so canned to tent fly. Lead to a paranoid sleep for Dr. Robert, spending most of his night awake listening to the woodland creatures.

Day 10 was a trip to our last stop in Oregon, just north of Brookings at Harris Beach State Park. Although a beautiful day (rode first day in shorts), team opted for a yurt (Year-round universal recreation tent). Pics below. Nice sleepy time for the good doctor after going almost sleepless the night before. Made camp early enough for a ride around Brookings. Only led to acquiring fried delicacies of chicken and taters. Beer. 10 miles to Cali border the next AM.






Saturday, April 18, 2009

Updated Map and some pictures

Here in Bandon, OR at a coffeeshop using their computer, so I'll keep this short and sweet. Two more days until California, we took an easier day yesterday to rest up. Stay tuned for more updates and photos.

Nevermind the pictures actually, the lady here almost just had a hematoma when I was seen looking for a usb port. Until next time.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=104303433392218887397.00046722e4e40b99238ba&ll=42.714732,-122.189941&spn=15.519291,28.300781&t=h&z=5

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Hi my name is Lance, and this is my friend Armstrong

After our overnight in Seaside we had several huge days to make up for our lost time (who's rushing though?). Day 4 we traveled from Seaside to Cape Lookout State Park (after several run-ins with hail) where we camped maybe 100 yards from the beach. A few miles before Cape Lookout we stopped at the Tillamook Cheese Factory for some samples which turned into a double dip, which turned into our knees hitting our stomachs when we got on the bikes again. Setup camp at the Cape just before another hail storm. Didn't get a chance to grab any food beforehand so we had oatmeal for dinner.

Day 5 we began with a 1.5 mile climb and then made it to Beverly Beach after deciding around 5:30 that we could make the next campground around 20 miles down the road. Stopped for lunch at The Pelican Pub and Brewery in Pacific City. Awesome seastacks (seen The Goonies?). Took the bike route off of main 101 onto old hwy. 101 which ran through Suislaw National Forest (old growth douglas fir forest!), and some old oregon cattle farms. Got to our camp just at dark. Bomber dinner with hot snausages w/ pepps and onion.

Day 6 has been a lazy one. Rode into Newport to the Oregon Coast Aquarium and that's been bout it. Sea otters are rad. Stopped at a Quickie Mart type place (not owned by an Arab?) to check in with ya'll. Planning to make it to Jesse Honeyman State Park for camp or fall short at Washburn State Park. Many thanks to Oregon for setting up these cyclist campsites ($4/person!). Tunnel pass today at Heceda Head, stop at Sea Lion Caves, and maybe see the freed Willy himself.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Stranded Seaside







The first day of the tour was how you say, great grundle busting workout time. Escaped from Portland after a pair of final bike adjustments courtesy of the Bike Gallery [Woodstock] and questionable gift exchanges at REI- where a cycling jersey which was just the night before thrown in the dryer by a 52 year old homeless man ["guy on the couch" type] was made anew. Camped at Hudson-Parcher County Park 5 miles outside Rainier, Oregon near the Columbia River. Nice camp, lousy camp host, and the first of two unsuccessful fires.







Day 2: Ride to Fort Stevens State Park 9 miles northwest of Astoria, Oregon. Long day on the bikes with challenging, sustained climbs. Raced through Astoria to make camp by dark. Fort Stevens offered great cyclist camping accomodations. Hot showers. Heated bathroom floors. Dankness! Dinner of taco surprise topped off a good day. Visited the Fort the next morning. Interesting pile of concrete and iron. Home to one of the only Japanese naval attacks on US soil.






After a rainy and blustrously windful Day 3 we decide to call it quits on the Oregon Coast at the Seaside Hostel. Cozy accomodations to make up for a frustrating ride through a 35mph headwinds. Planning on leaving early morning to make up for today's ride.
Updated Map:












OREGON!

















Thursday, April 9, 2009

what are we riding?


Chris ride [the green machine]. Kona Sutra. Buckets for saddle bags up front- origin: kitty litter carrier. Reuse! Reduce! Recycle!


Rode bikes all day Tuesday. The Kona was the only ride that would accomodate Chris' T-rex arms. Disc brakes and full racks. Ridin derty.





















Trek 520- touring bike extraordinaire. Nothin fansy about it, but you could ride it to the moon and back.











Yea that's a bike trailer. BOB Yak. No saddle bags for berto.