Day 8 - Ochoco Reservoir to Mitchell

This morning we left earlier to beat the heat. Out of the reservoir we had a little downhill and flat road before we started our 20 mile gradual climb to the summit of Ochoco Pass.

It seem to get hot early today. Riding into Mitchell the wheels seem to stick to the road.

In Mitchell I went directly to the Oregon Motel. Despite the USPS website showing the delivery was made, they did not have my tent poles. Sounds like someone has not picked up mail in the last few days. I was to check back after my lunch to see if someone else (who checks mail) knows anything.

I am really hoping that when they check the mail in the morning they are there. This will already set us back as the PO doesn't open until 8:45am. That is a drag in this heat.

Trans Am Tally
Miles: 424
Flats: 1
Roadkill: 2 snakes, 2 frogs, 4 deer
Beers: 8

From the Open Road,
Midnight Chocolate

Pictures:
Roadside break
Riding our way into central Oregon
Camping in Mitchell
Nearing 110 at the Feed N Farm

Day 7 - Sisters to Ochoco Reservoir

This morning we took it easy. I watched Lexi while Tiffany went for a mountain bike and Steve and Mandy went out for a coffee.  We didn't leave the campground until 10:30.

We paid for our late start with the heat. We are now in pine trees and sagebrush country.  The sun seems more intense out here.

Today we also got our first shout outs from passing cars. I couldn't understand what they said. I'll have to think they are cheering us on.

Trans Am Tally
Miles: 384
Flats: 1
Roadkill: 2 snakes, 2 frogs, 3 deer
Beers: 7

From the Open Road,
Midnight Chocolate

Pictures:
Bikes in front of Prineville Thriftway
Looking over the Ochoco Reservoir
Camping at the Ochoco Reservoir

Day 5&6 - Coburg to Sisters

Day 5 was from Coburg to Paradise CG. Day 6 was from Paradise to Sisters.

Turning onto McKenzie View Dr. from Coburg I realized that I did not take any pictures of our stay in Coburg or me with the cousins.  I must have been too relaxed there!

Day 5 we had a steady climb through farming country.  This  included a long break in Blue River. We got to Paradise CG in the late afternoon where we met up with Tiffany.  She is meeting us for camping the next two days while she mountain bikes and hikes in the area.

I took this opportunity to have Tiffany pick up a lighter weight system for me in Portland. The lightweight backpacker in me couldn't stand the extra 7lbs I was thinking I could lose with a different set up. So I sent the materials list and begged the favor.  Thursday night she arrived with all the gear!  ...and beer! What an awesome friend.

Friday morning was a little cooler than the last 5. Although we didn't add many extra layers knowing we had 3,500 ft of climbing from Paradise CG to the summit of McKenzie pass.

I would say today was probably the first time I really felt a little wobbly on my legs; at the McKenzie pass summit. Though, I was more worried about the big decent,  I wasn't sure how this half baked rack system would work at high speed with vibration. I did have fleeting visions of pieces coming off, getting stuck in the spokes, and flipping me head over handlebars.

Yay, it held together and the three of us made it safe and sound into Sisters. We have a camp site at the City Campground, wich is more like an RV park. After a dinner and beer at the local brewery we are ready for a little down time and an early bed time!

Trans Am Tally
Miles: 340
Flats: 1
Snakes: 3 (1 alive)
Beers: 6

From the Open Road,
Midnight Chocolate

Pictures
McKenzie River
Pit stop in Blue River for lunch

Paradise CG

Sign

My homemade lightweight setup

Wildflowers on the way up McKenzie pass

McKenzie pass observatory

At McKenzie pass

Camping in Sisters

Day 4 - Monmouth to Coburg

Today we enjoyed an easy flat ride through the Willamette valley's farming country. We had a later breakfast at the diner next door then rolled onto Hwy 99.

We stopped in my college alumni town of Corvallis for a fresh market snack. We also got fresh peaches at a roadside stand that made juice run down the chin. I love summer fruit.

Just before getting into Harrisburg I got the first flat. So disappointing,  but it was bound to happen one of these days.Tonight we are in Coburg.

Thank you to cousins Michelle and Andy for giving us a place to stay! ...and eat and shower and do laundry. You are great hosts.

I didn't do very well with the photos today, so hopefully the video will load to make up for it.

Trans Am Tally
Miles: 237
Flats: 1
Snakes: 2 (1 alive)
Beers: 4

From the Open Road,
Midnight Chocolate

Pictures:
Late morning start
Market snacks
Roadside Farm Stand

Day 3 - Pacific City to Monmouth

Today we knocked off 72 miles! We rolled out of camp to the coffe shop just 300 yards down the street.  These Ausies cannot go without their coffee in the morning. We rode through Neskowin then turned east up and over the coastal range. Good prep for the cascade range ahead! 

For lunch we stopped at Spirit Mountain Casino in Grand Ronde. Here we discovered that our planned camp spot at the Polk County Fair Grounds was temporarily closed for, of all things, the county fair. This put a little wrench in plans as there appears to be no other tent camping options within 15 or so miles. Unless we pulled an RV, wanted to detour 20 miles off route or complete a centry ride on our third day, we were getting a room. So tonight we checked into the Courtesy Inn. 

Today's riding lesson is in truck drafts. Hwy 18 is busy with traffic and truck traffic. With the added surface area of the Bob trailer the draft of a truck whizzing over your left shoulder can really pull you into the road. Going uphill, count 1 second from hearing end of truck and lean away slightly,  2 seconds when going downhill to account for your added speed. At all times pray the truck has seen you and does not ride the white line.

My favorite road sign is becoming "right lane ends, merge left". This usually means we are reaching the hills apex and my burning legs get a rest!

Trans Am tally
Miles: 176
Flats: 0
Snakes: 1
Beers: 3

From the Open Road,
Midnight Chocolate

Pictures:
Lunch at Spirit Mountain in Grand Ronde
Bike parking,  front door spots!
Rolling through farm country
Bikes fitted into every corner of the hotel room.

Day 2 - Barview Campground to Pacific City

This morning Tiffany sent us on our way from the campground around 8:30am. We rounded the Tillamook Bay and had our first break at the Tillamook Cheese Factory.

Loaded with cheese we wound our way back to the coast line and turned south towards this evenings destination, Pacific City. What is so special about Pacific City? Pacific City is home to Pelican Brewing; who happens to brew my favorite stout, Tsunami Stout.

A little buzzed from two pints of my favorite beer we made the short pedal accross the street to another Tillamook County campground for the night.

Misshap of the day; a link in my tent pole snapped.  Looks like the rolled aluminum seam split down the middle and created two week points.  Hopefully I will be able to get ahold of Henry at Tarp tent to get a replacement sent further up road. Until then I will have to rely on my extra tent stake and duct tape job to hold it together.

Trans Am Tally:
Miles - 104
Flats - 0
Snakes - 1
Beers - 3

From the Open Road,
Midnight Chocolate

Pictures:
Parking in front of cheese factory
Everyone say cheese
Pelican Brewery!
Broken pole
Camping very near to a neighborhood

Day Zero

Today we ride from Portland to St Helens ...by car.

 

After breakfast our first objetive was to run through a gear shake down. We laid out our gear to hopefully leave behind some duplicate gear and compare equipment.  Then off to run our last minute errands.

 

Stop 1; REI to pick up Steve and Mandy's bikes and some last minute gear. Their bikes made the trip from Houston and appeared to be reassembled correctly. On our way to stop 2!

 

Stop 2; We couldn't make it through Portland without a stop at the Bones and Beer fest.

 

Stop 3; Fred Meyer for Gatorade powder amd more beer. Steve believes he can pick PBR out of a lineup of American pilsners.

 

Stop 4; Cap house in St Helens to tweek the bikes and perform the pilsner blind taste test.

 

Thank you G&G and Caps for housing us at the start of our journey. Tomorrow we ride!

 

Happy Trails!
Midnight Chocolate

 

Pictures:
Gear shake down
G&G send off party
Picking up bikes at REI
Beer & Bones Festival
Blind pilsner testing