Author: Paul Rito (Page 19 of 23)

Today started with the bad news that Luke was going to take a rest day cuz his knee was hurting him, but he would ride with us to California border and get photos. We did that and said some sad goodbyes. I gave Luke some of the biofreeze that Lisa O’Hara had given me for the trip, and the four of us remaining continued on the trip to the Redwoods.

The first 20 mi were almost flat, and I rode with John and Harald and we stopped in Crescent City for some supplies and a new air mattress for John. Harald and I were also looking for folding camp chairs as we are envious of the other’s setups, but two stores we tried didn’t have anything light enough, and there are no REIs around here, so that will have to wait.

Today (Friday, September 23) was a relatively short day in riding miles, and I focused on getting to the next campsite at Harris Beach, getting set up early and heading into Brookings for some coffee and groceries. I passed 2,000 miles on the tour today, too.

The start from Bandon Beach was in sunshine and I hung some of my wet things on the rear rack. I stopped for breakfast in Bandon and had a filling meal to say the least. Blueberry Pancakes the size of the plate. The bacon was just a garnish.

Day 45, the route was completely on the 101, and after Yachats, mostly inland. The pics from Bray Point were the last ocean scenes of the day. Passing through Yachats, I saw two men sitting outside a restaurant and stopped and asked, “Can I get coffee in here?” “You sure can,” said Bob, the owner of the restaurant who went and got me a cup of coffee “on the house” (and a refill, too!). I sat talking to him and his partner, Dale while enjoying the java, told them about my trip, and hearing Bob’s stories of fishing up and down the Oregon and California coasts. One of those chance meetings that are so interesting.

Don’t remember where I left off, but I do have some name and other corrections. Nick is actually Luke and he hails from Northern England, near the Scottish border. “The German Guy” is Harald, but when I asked him his name, he said his middle name was Nicholas and that it was easier to pronounce and remember. Probably where I got the “Nick.”

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.

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.

Ahhh. 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.

Well, 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.

The 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.