After I left the bar, it was a short ride to the campground. Many of the folks from the night before were at this campground too, as we all seem to be heading towards San Francisco. I joined them on the beach for a campfire. Sybill is Swiss, Nick is an Aussie, Hendrika a Canadian who emigrated from Holland, and, as Hendrika told me this morning when I asked for his name, “the German guy.” (I’ll find out tonight if I run into them again). There’s also Doug from San Diego, but he’s quiet and gets up and leaves before anybody else is up. It’s nice to walk into a campground and at least have seen somebody before and start to get to know them.
Continue readingMonth: September 2022 (Page 2 of 3)
Cool applies to both the temp and the Oregon coast. I stayed on US 101 for most of the day today and it’s been flat or downhill so I’m appreciating that. I did have one climb towards the end of the ride, although I’m not at the end yet. I detoured to Netarts and the Upstairs Bar and Grill where I had a amazing cup of clam chowder, and Buoy Brewery pilsner (they are from Astoria) – a short break before I head to the campground.
Continue readingAhhh. The Best Western had a hot tub in the pool area and I partook. Felt really good on my legs and back.
No real rush this morning as I was only planning to do 40 or so miles so I didn’t get out until around 10:30. I rode the Riverwalk trail in Astoria, about a 4 mi track back and forth looking for a good place to do a wheel dip since this is brackish Pacific Ocean-Columbia River water. I was giving up hope of finding anything but rocks to clambor over down to the water like Dana did on her cross country trip. However, since I was alone, I thought rock clamboring was only a good way to end my trip right here. So I kept riding the Riverwalk and eventually he found a boat launch spot that achieved my goal without risking life or limb.
Continue readingWell, I cycle-marched to Astoria. not Pretoria. There’s a little town off River Rd in Tipton, PA called Fostoria, and I always sing that tune in my head when I ride past it, so it’s good enough for Astoria, too!
I left Tim’s & Jess’s around 8:30 and rode to the TriMet MAX stop in downtown Portland and was able to roll PH right on the train with panniers and all. Easiest train ride so far. I got off at the Hatfield Government Center at the end of the Blue line and started my ride to Astoria there. After a stop at the local WinCo grocery store for provisions for the ride, I was off to Astoria.
Continue readingThe sushi was superb, and Bob treated me to a delicious Oaxacan Mexican Hot Chocolate at Ginger Elizabeth. Back at his house, I packed up and checked everything twice. Then, at Bob’s insistence, I checked thrice. We snapped some pics, said our good-bye’s and I rode off into the night for a 7 mile ride to the Amtrak station. As in all the western cities I’ve visited, both off road trails, protected bike lanes, and regular ol’ bike lanes are almost ubiquitous.
Continue readingToday was spent gathering food for the Amtrak trip, tooling around the neighborhood, trying to find a Warm Showers host in Portland — no success yet — and planning routes to the coast from Portland and looking for lodging there. The weekend is going to be a crap shoot and probably bootleg camping time as the State Parks are full until Sunday. After that the spaces open up.
I did go into downtown Sacramento in the afternoon and walked/cycled around the state capitol building, adjoining neighborhoods, and the waterfront on the Sacramento river. Back at Bob’s the laundry is going and I’ll be packing up again and head into the city again around 9 or 10 pm after taking Bob to dinner — California Sushi! Pretty easy 5 miles to Amtrak and will probably hit a bar for a night cap before boarding the train.
Continue readingSing that to the tune you all know.
I arrived yesterday afternoon (that would be the missing day 36!) and headed to my next Warm Showers host, Bob. Another jackpot of a host. Bob ran a bicycle wholesale biz in Portland, OR before moving here and has a wealth of bicycle and touring knowledge. After a filling dinner of Pasta Primavera and exchanging touring stories, I hit the sack early to catch up on some non-Amtrak-seat sleep.
Continue reading*I came, I saw, I ate lunch!
Warm Showers came through again with an excellent host in Salt Lake City (SLC), Austin. We got up early and headed to the FrontRunner station and boarded a car that was outfitted with bike racks and plenty of seating. It was a 25 mile ride to the Clearfield station where we got off and I headed to Antelope Island. Austin had an errand and was then heading back to SLC.
Continue readingAfter bidding farewell to Bret & Nora, I rode from Lindon to Salt Lake City on the previously mentioned Murdock Canal Trail & The Jordan River Trail. 50 miles of which 48 were paved trail. The Murdock trail It’s about 10 years old and is in almost pristine shape, except for some cracks that do give you a little jolt. The JRT is older and as many more cracks and tree roots in spots. Overall I went between two major cities without getting on the road. Pretty impressive. And the bike infrastructure in both Provo in Salt Lake City areas are great.
Continue readingSeems much drier here in Provo and Denver was pretty dry. After a very long summer’s sleep, I did the ride Bret suggested today, solo, since he wasn’t able to come along. It was an excellent suggestion as even though temps were cool-er today, they were still in the high eighties when I got back mid-afternoon. The West Alpine Loop was reached by the Murdock Canal trail which is smooth, new blacktop and about 20 feet wide. The climb up to the summit was through woods and shaded by the mountains. There was even a mountain stream next to the road for most of the ride up. “Up” was 8,000′ at the summit, and in 42 miles I climbed 3,700′. I also had a “light” bike today as I left the front rack off after reassembling it from the box.
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