Bandon - Gold Beach
58 miles
4 hours and 36 minutes in the saddle
31 mph max speed
12.4 mph average speed
Today we finally got to experience the prevailing northerly winds that sweep the Pacific coast line. We have enjoyed tailwind all day and cycling has been blissfully effortless. Although, our average speed reflect the number of times we have stopped to take photos of the magnificent south Oregon coastline. We have seen sandy beaches, dramatic pine clad cliffs dropping 1000+ feet into the ocean and towering sea stacks dotted along the coastline.
Our route zig-zags the coastal ranges which means that we are travelling on hilly and winding roads. Mostly the shoulder is wide and there is plenty of space between us and erratically driven RVs.
We are staying in a cheap and clean hotel and have managed to get a room with an ocean view. There are lots of hotels in Gold Beach and the competition is stiff for early season business. We have bought dinner from the local supermarket, so we can eat in our room and enjoy the beautiful view of the sun setting over the Pacific. We were dreaming about this when we were cycling across the plains! We are back on track on our budget after last nights delicious blow-out.
Tuesday, 26 June 2007
Sunday 24 June - Riding the Oregon coast
Florence - Bandon
80 miles
6 hours 39 minutes in the saddle
32 mph max speed
12.0 mph average speed
Today we started our ride towards San Francisco. When we got up this morning we saw the rain clouds roll in over the ocean and by the time we headed out for breakfast it was pouring down. Although the weather has been inclement, it really is great to be by the sea and just south of Florence we caught our first glimpse of the Pacific. Florence is by the coast, but slightly inland on the Siuslaw River estuary. We stopped for lunch in Winchester Bay and sat on the beach. It was wonderful to watch the waves and the blue sea and blue sky merge on the horizon.
We took the Seven Devils road from Charlston to near Bandon to avoid the RV traffic jam in the 101. It was a devil of a road for cycling, reminding us of the roller coaster hills in the Ozarks, but the views and peacefulness made it worthwhile. Our ride today has been mostly inland on the vast dunes that butt the Pacific along the central Oregon coast. The dunes are several miles wide and can be very steep, some of them are so big there are small lakes between the dunes.
Tonight we are having dinner at the only nice restaurant in Bandon. It is very nice and will completely blow our budget. Oh well. We have decided it is probably worthwhile going for cheap hotel rooms so that we can enjoy the excellent food along the Pacific coast.
80 miles
6 hours 39 minutes in the saddle
32 mph max speed
12.0 mph average speed
Today we started our ride towards San Francisco. When we got up this morning we saw the rain clouds roll in over the ocean and by the time we headed out for breakfast it was pouring down. Although the weather has been inclement, it really is great to be by the sea and just south of Florence we caught our first glimpse of the Pacific. Florence is by the coast, but slightly inland on the Siuslaw River estuary. We stopped for lunch in Winchester Bay and sat on the beach. It was wonderful to watch the waves and the blue sea and blue sky merge on the horizon.
We took the Seven Devils road from Charlston to near Bandon to avoid the RV traffic jam in the 101. It was a devil of a road for cycling, reminding us of the roller coaster hills in the Ozarks, but the views and peacefulness made it worthwhile. Our ride today has been mostly inland on the vast dunes that butt the Pacific along the central Oregon coast. The dunes are several miles wide and can be very steep, some of them are so big there are small lakes between the dunes.
Tonight we are having dinner at the only nice restaurant in Bandon. It is very nice and will completely blow our budget. Oh well. We have decided it is probably worthwhile going for cheap hotel rooms so that we can enjoy the excellent food along the Pacific coast.
Saturday 23 June - Reaching the Pacific!!!
Eugene - Florence
79 miles
6 hours and 40 minutes in the saddle
31.1 mph max speed
11.8 mph average speed
Woo hoo we made it!!! We have reached the Pacific and have achieved the goal we originally set. In 55 days of cycling we have travelled 3819 miles. We have had 13 rest days, some because of bad weather, but mostly to rest sore muscles and also to visit friends along the way. We have seen spectacular scenery with completely unrestricted view from the saddle. We have smelt sweet honeysuckle, fresh pine needles, thousands of freshly mowed lawns and wildlife galore. We have climbed some excruciating hills, only to find our jaws drop when we reach the top and enjoy views for miles of hills, mountains and lakes. We have been flying down steep descents where our brakes and wheel rims have been red hot by the time we reach the bottom. It really has been an amazing trip and most of all lots of fun.
The weather has at times been interesting, mostly in Kansas. The bike provides no protection from the elements and in the case of lightning it is best to be off the bike.
We have been amazed at how friendly people along the way have been. Locals have been unfailingly enthusiastic about their home town and proud of their history. They have also been interested to hear about our journey.
We have only been lost once during our trip and that was in Kentucky on a day when it rained and we were chased by dogs. We have had no trouble finding a bed for the night, although some days it has meant that we have had to cycle a long way. Regardless, we think staying in motels is better than camping.
Our bike ride is not quite over. Tomorrow we head south along the Pacific coast . We expect to reach San Francisco in about 10 days.
79 miles
6 hours and 40 minutes in the saddle
31.1 mph max speed
11.8 mph average speed
Woo hoo we made it!!! We have reached the Pacific and have achieved the goal we originally set. In 55 days of cycling we have travelled 3819 miles. We have had 13 rest days, some because of bad weather, but mostly to rest sore muscles and also to visit friends along the way. We have seen spectacular scenery with completely unrestricted view from the saddle. We have smelt sweet honeysuckle, fresh pine needles, thousands of freshly mowed lawns and wildlife galore. We have climbed some excruciating hills, only to find our jaws drop when we reach the top and enjoy views for miles of hills, mountains and lakes. We have been flying down steep descents where our brakes and wheel rims have been red hot by the time we reach the bottom. It really has been an amazing trip and most of all lots of fun.
The weather has at times been interesting, mostly in Kansas. The bike provides no protection from the elements and in the case of lightning it is best to be off the bike.
We have been amazed at how friendly people along the way have been. Locals have been unfailingly enthusiastic about their home town and proud of their history. They have also been interested to hear about our journey.
We have only been lost once during our trip and that was in Kentucky on a day when it rained and we were chased by dogs. We have had no trouble finding a bed for the night, although some days it has meant that we have had to cycle a long way. Regardless, we think staying in motels is better than camping.
Our bike ride is not quite over. Tomorrow we head south along the Pacific coast . We expect to reach San Francisco in about 10 days.
Friday 22 June - Another rest day
Eugene - rest day
A day of the usual errands, finding a computer, finding a bike shop and spending some money and finding a good restaurant. We decided to stop in Eugene because it would enable us to celebrate with Jesse that he has completed his TransAm and to spend some time in Jesse's home town. We went out for a Mexican (we seem to find it difficult to escape the lure of Mexican restaurants), which was very good.
It is a bit strange having a rest day only 70 miles away from the Pacific, but we really needed to get a new tyre for Stephen's bike. Good bike shops are few and far between, we know because we have spent the past 1500 miles looking for a replacement tyre.
We have also visited the Nike shop in Eugene. Nike was started here by a university running team coach and one of the students.
A day of the usual errands, finding a computer, finding a bike shop and spending some money and finding a good restaurant. We decided to stop in Eugene because it would enable us to celebrate with Jesse that he has completed his TransAm and to spend some time in Jesse's home town. We went out for a Mexican (we seem to find it difficult to escape the lure of Mexican restaurants), which was very good.
It is a bit strange having a rest day only 70 miles away from the Pacific, but we really needed to get a new tyre for Stephen's bike. Good bike shops are few and far between, we know because we have spent the past 1500 miles looking for a replacement tyre.
We have also visited the Nike shop in Eugene. Nike was started here by a university running team coach and one of the students.
Friday, 22 June 2007
Thursday 21 June - 30 miles of freewheeling!
Sisters - Eugene
103 miles
7 hours and 58 minutes in the saddle
29.7 mph max speed
12.8 mph average speed
Another century ride and what a nice one it has been. This morning we checked with the ranger station in Sisters that McKenzie Pass was open, which it is to cyclists only and today was the last day before it shuts completely for construction work. We felt very lucky. If it was shut we would have done another 120 mile day to get to Eugene. Too much to do two 120 milers in one week.
It was a 15 mile climb to get from Sisters to the summit of McKenzie Pass and 2000 feet elevation gain. It was great riding because the road was free of cars due to the closure. 5 miles from the top we stopped to admire the views of the lava flows and across to Mt Washington and Mt Hood. Jesse, our fellow TransAm'er that we met when climbing Hoosier Pass, came by as we were taking photos of the mountains. It was great to see a friendly face that we recognised. We rode together for the next 25 miles and arranged to meet in Eugene for dinner tomorrow night. Jesse finishes his TransAm in Eugene so we will celebrate it together.
The descent from McKenzie Pass was a 35 mile absolutely fantastic downhill, which made all the hard climbs we have done worthwhile. We dropped 5000 feet elevation and saw the vegetation change from dry, pine clad slopes to lush rain forests. And not a car around to interrupt our 30mph freewheeling down the switchbacks. If there was a lift to the top we would do it again!
Tonight we have reached Eugene and have re-entered civilisation after 5 days in small town Oregon. It is nice to be in a big city where we can get more than a burger and beer for dinner. Tonight we have celebrated our penultimate TransAm ride by having a nice dinner and enjoying a really good bottle of Oregon wine.
Tomorrow we will have a rest day before we cycle the last few miles to the Pacific. We can't wait to get to the beach and see the waves of the Pacific. We are already starting to feel that we have achieved something pretty special.
103 miles
7 hours and 58 minutes in the saddle
29.7 mph max speed
12.8 mph average speed
Another century ride and what a nice one it has been. This morning we checked with the ranger station in Sisters that McKenzie Pass was open, which it is to cyclists only and today was the last day before it shuts completely for construction work. We felt very lucky. If it was shut we would have done another 120 mile day to get to Eugene. Too much to do two 120 milers in one week.
It was a 15 mile climb to get from Sisters to the summit of McKenzie Pass and 2000 feet elevation gain. It was great riding because the road was free of cars due to the closure. 5 miles from the top we stopped to admire the views of the lava flows and across to Mt Washington and Mt Hood. Jesse, our fellow TransAm'er that we met when climbing Hoosier Pass, came by as we were taking photos of the mountains. It was great to see a friendly face that we recognised. We rode together for the next 25 miles and arranged to meet in Eugene for dinner tomorrow night. Jesse finishes his TransAm in Eugene so we will celebrate it together.
The descent from McKenzie Pass was a 35 mile absolutely fantastic downhill, which made all the hard climbs we have done worthwhile. We dropped 5000 feet elevation and saw the vegetation change from dry, pine clad slopes to lush rain forests. And not a car around to interrupt our 30mph freewheeling down the switchbacks. If there was a lift to the top we would do it again!
Tonight we have reached Eugene and have re-entered civilisation after 5 days in small town Oregon. It is nice to be in a big city where we can get more than a burger and beer for dinner. Tonight we have celebrated our penultimate TransAm ride by having a nice dinner and enjoying a really good bottle of Oregon wine.
Tomorrow we will have a rest day before we cycle the last few miles to the Pacific. We can't wait to get to the beach and see the waves of the Pacific. We are already starting to feel that we have achieved something pretty special.
Wednesday 20 June - First glimpse of our last climb
Mitchell - Sisters
91 miles
7 hours and 52 minutes in the saddle
30.9 mph max speed
11.4 mph average speed
We enjoyed a hearty breakfast in Mitchell's one and only greasy spoon cafe before heading towards the Cascades. Mitchell must be one of America's unluckiest small towns. In the space of 50 years it has endured 5 flash floods that have swept away entire buildings and two major fires. The waitress told us that the floods happen in July and August and that they are due another flood soon. Poor people of Mitchell spend the summer watching the clouds over the mountains to see if severe weather is heading their way.
Our ride started with a long, slow climb in hot weather over the Ochoco Pass, followed by a pleasant descent into Prineville. We then rode along long flats in pine meadows towards Redmond. Redmond is one enormous construction site. We experienced the heaviest and worst traffic of the entire TransAm here. Once out of Redmond we got our first glimpse of the Cascade mountains and also of the Three Sisters Mountains. We were surprised that there was so much snow on the mountains, we hope that the McKenzie Pass is open and that we don't have to take the 20 mile longer detour.
91 miles
7 hours and 52 minutes in the saddle
30.9 mph max speed
11.4 mph average speed
We enjoyed a hearty breakfast in Mitchell's one and only greasy spoon cafe before heading towards the Cascades. Mitchell must be one of America's unluckiest small towns. In the space of 50 years it has endured 5 flash floods that have swept away entire buildings and two major fires. The waitress told us that the floods happen in July and August and that they are due another flood soon. Poor people of Mitchell spend the summer watching the clouds over the mountains to see if severe weather is heading their way.
Our ride started with a long, slow climb in hot weather over the Ochoco Pass, followed by a pleasant descent into Prineville. We then rode along long flats in pine meadows towards Redmond. Redmond is one enormous construction site. We experienced the heaviest and worst traffic of the entire TransAm here. Once out of Redmond we got our first glimpse of the Cascade mountains and also of the Three Sisters Mountains. We were surprised that there was so much snow on the mountains, we hope that the McKenzie Pass is open and that we don't have to take the 20 mile longer detour.
Tuesday 19 June - Meeting a mad Swede
Prairie City - Mitchell
83 miles
6 hours and 41 minutes in the saddle
34.1 mph max speed
12.4 mph average speed
In spite of doing 120 miles yesterday we managed to get back on bikes today and do another good ride without noticing too much stiffness or posterior pain :) The first 30 miles of our ride were downhill, which was nice and relaxing.
Today we have seen several TransAm'ers that are riding west to east. We feel quite glad that we are at the end of our trip rather than at the start considering the heat that is building across the plains and along the east coast. We also met a Swedish man, who is 59, who is running across America. Running across America!!! Good grief. We think he is crazy - lots of people think we are crazy to cycle. I suppose everything relative to what you think is fun or a challenge to do. He told us that he expects it will take him 100 days to complete the trip, averaging 35 miles a day. That's like running 9 miles more than a marathon every day for over 3 months. He was pushing a 3 wheeled pram with his stuff in it. Oh boy.
What we have seen of Oregon has been very pretty. Lots of mountains and forests, lakes and rivers. We have enjoyed our riding so far and are sure that the next 3 days, and last 3 days (!) of our TransAm will be just as good.
Today Stephen caused our first bike kill when he rode over a snake. Soon after he had hit it a logging truck passed us, so we are sure the snake would have been killed anyway. At least that is what we choose to think to make us feel a little better.
83 miles
6 hours and 41 minutes in the saddle
34.1 mph max speed
12.4 mph average speed
In spite of doing 120 miles yesterday we managed to get back on bikes today and do another good ride without noticing too much stiffness or posterior pain :) The first 30 miles of our ride were downhill, which was nice and relaxing.
Today we have seen several TransAm'ers that are riding west to east. We feel quite glad that we are at the end of our trip rather than at the start considering the heat that is building across the plains and along the east coast. We also met a Swedish man, who is 59, who is running across America. Running across America!!! Good grief. We think he is crazy - lots of people think we are crazy to cycle. I suppose everything relative to what you think is fun or a challenge to do. He told us that he expects it will take him 100 days to complete the trip, averaging 35 miles a day. That's like running 9 miles more than a marathon every day for over 3 months. He was pushing a 3 wheeled pram with his stuff in it. Oh boy.
What we have seen of Oregon has been very pretty. Lots of mountains and forests, lakes and rivers. We have enjoyed our riding so far and are sure that the next 3 days, and last 3 days (!) of our TransAm will be just as good.
Today Stephen caused our first bike kill when he rode over a snake. Soon after he had hit it a logging truck passed us, so we are sure the snake would have been killed anyway. At least that is what we choose to think to make us feel a little better.
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