Thursday, August 23, 2012

The Oregon Coast

Part 1


Ferry Crossing the Columbia River from Washington into Oregon
 

Biking into Astoria, OR
I looked for the Goonies house but couldn't find it.
 
First close up view of the Oregon Beaches
 
One of my many rest stops
 
 
The Hiker/ Biker campsite at Cape Lookout State Park. Sweet!
 

 
Sun set at Cape Lookout State Park.

 Very interesting Moss growth.

 The Cave used for Goonies Movie where the Ship sails out.

 A tide pool with sea weed. Looked like it was alive.

 Viewing along the road



 
 
 
 
 

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Pictures of day 1 & 2


                                                  Riding the Yelm to Tenino Trail, WA


                                             At Lewis And Clark State Park Toledo, WA

The Journey Begins

It was a very nice weather morning cycling thur the South Puget Sound of Washington State. My intended departure time was 9:00 A.M. on August 13, 2012. I left Jason's house at 9:02. Well I don't think anyone could quibble with that. By mid afternoon the temperatures began to rise, it got hot! My goal was to make to south of Tenino, WA where there are good wild camping opportunities. Just couldn't pedal another 20 miles so I stay at a Motel in Yelm. 52 miles isn't a first dat total.
 The next morning I left Yelm at around 8:00 A.M. After picking up some riding food, I started riding the Yelm to Tenino trail. The goal for today was to make it to The Lewis and Clark State Park north of Toledo, WA. Mission accomplished 55miles. It was a nice Camping area and I met another cyclist on his way to Seattle than back to Northern California. I set up the tent in the spot next to his but, after setting everything up cooking eating and cleaning up the park ranger drove up and advised us that we couldn't camp there we had to move to the other side of the road. It was a sleepless night because of noisey campers. I mention because the next day of riding was difficult. Between no sleep, very warm temps and mountains I only made it 26 miles. The next camping was another 17 miles couldn't do it. Since the riding plan for a couple of weeks is to ride 3 days take a day off then ride 4 days and take a day off it fell just right. Since the next day was a scheduled day off I saw a Motel with all needed activities nearby. Resturant, Laundry, Post Office, Stores all right there.
  I met a Veteran Cyclist a few miles down the road from the motel and we talked as we both took a break. He spoke about all the things he learned in his many years of cycling. He said "Don't pack for what you think you may use. Only bring what you can't live without". After that day of riding I took his words as gems. Thats where the post office came in handy. Spending the rest of my 3rd day going through my gear. The intention was to continue riding with only the bear necessities, only what I can't live without. The mountains are only going to get higher. This morning I shipped back to Jason's house the rest. Light for Flight!
Sorry for not posting Pics the Internet is very bad here. Will post pics when i have a better connection.
Tomorrow is suppose to be another 95 degree- plus day si i will hit the road earily . Hopefully I will make it to the coast where high temps are around 70 degrees. 

Friday, July 27, 2012

One step closer to departure. I picked up the bike after dropping it off for a pre- trip tune up. Also ordered a few parts to have as spare. A new chain, Disc Brake pads, Brake Rotor, Brake and Shifter Cable, 6 spokes. Not that i'm expecting to rebuild the bike along the way but, why be stuck on the side of the road when you do not need to.
 I'm at the point now where picking the date to begin is the only thing left to do. The week of August 12th looks like it.