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!
Chris,
ReplyDeleteI heard through the family grapevine that you're biking part of the Pacific Coast. Bravo!
It's a great route; I rode (solo) a few years ago from Astoria to Crescent City and it was all things a bike tour should be - gorgeous scenery, challenging but not monster hills, varied terrain and towns, etc.
I stayed in inns rather than camping because I was going it alone and didn't want to carry all the extra weight, but Oregon State campgrounds are pretty good and very cyclist-friendly.
Ride safely and have a great trip! I've got your feed and will be following your trip vicariously.
- (Kate's uncle) Andy