LI-ghtcycle
10 MW
Well, first off, I want to thank Rassy for his generous gift of my new beloved Vision R40 bike that really made this all possible, Silvia (Myrtle the Turtle Ecospeed Powered Trike) and Steve who I met about 1 week prior to the Recumbent Retreat and encouraged me to go!
This was my first trip of any kind beyond 80 miles on any bike, and I had ridden some pretty heavy Ebikes in the past, but nothing like taking a full touring load on a bicycle outfitted for self-supported camping (I brought ALL my food, water, tools & supplies for the 7 day trip). My motor from Golden Motor is still on the slow boat from China, so this was strictly leg-powered!
And this is the song that was playing in my head for most of the trip, so I thought it was fitting as the "theme" of the trip:
(I can't seem to imbed this youtube for some reason? ... it's Pink Floyd- Wish You Were Here)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGpnP0LYfjM&feature=fvsr
Well, the first thing that every trip starts with is a map and a plan right?
Wrong!
I had to get the bike ready first, including mounting my newly built 90mm front drum brake (Thank you Jude at Sugar Wheels!) and the first 24 inch fork I got had too short of a steer tube by about 1/4 inch, so I just eliminated the lock washer and used lock tight! (it actually worked a charm, and never loosened on me, but still made me nervous). Next I needed to attach the rear rack that had also be provided by Rassy.
Also I had gear that I have been collecting for a year or so that I thought might be useful for a long trip in hopes that some day I would take a trip across the US, but none of it had even been attached to a bike much less this new one!
I initially didn't think I would be able to go, but my parents gave me an advance on my next month's pay, so with maybe 4 days before I would need to leave, I started to figure out #1 how I would make the new drum brake wheel work with the giant 2.35 Big Apple tire (the original forks only gave me 1/16 in clearance between top of tire and fork!) and I wanted the option of a fender, so I had to find a 24 inch fork that would work, this proved to be very difficult at first!
I managed to stumble upon one at the Community Cycle Center in NE Portland, and then managed to cut the steer tube with out taking into consideration the thickness of the lock washer so really it was about 1/8 in shorter than it should have been, but it seemed to work fine, and again a little lock tight and away we go! :wink:
Next I needed to get the rear rack on, and since I had added a disk brake, I had different heights of the places I would bolt it down to, and fortunately this rear rack had adjustable length bottom mounts, so again with a little tweaking here and there, it fit just perfect!
Ok, now here is the question that I had to answer once I really looked hard at all my gear and weeded out the stuff I didn't need to take, how do you make this:
Fit on This?! :|
Well, after much packing and stuffing of the lap top bags that I had bought long ago from goodwill for around $3-$5 each, I was able to come up with this!
(Sorry I would have a much better picture, but with limited space on my camera, a better one of the bike packed was eliminated, and I really don't feel like re-packing the bike right now too tired still )
Ok, so I got to figure out how I am going to go there too right?
Wrong again!!
I forgot that I hadn't yet installed a cycle computer, and I was going to go cheap and just use one of the standard ones I have laying around, but none of them had a long enough cable to go to the rear wheel, and since I had to go to all the trouble of soldering on the extension, I decided to use my good one that also happened to be programmed for the large wheel on the back already anyway.
So as a re-cap, even before getting started packing or testing out my stove and other gear, I had to fab up a fork, rear rack, AND solder an extension onto the leads of my cycle computer to get the bike ready.
Every night of preparation I was up to around 2am, and even though during this time I received my Crow Cycle extra tall center stand, I had NO TIME to even think about fabing up a mount for it (blessing in disguise) and went with out any kick-stand of any kind.
Also, I have yet to receive my new motor from Golden Motor, so this was strictly a pedal power only operation (big chance if my fatigue set in!) and I was going alone, I had hoped to connect with someone else heading this way, but ran outta time for that.
So back to the map ... Google had given me a lovely trip through the West Hills (over them not around them! :lol: ) including nothing less than the WORST road possible over said hills, Taylor's Ferry road!
Since I was up so late just in preparation, testing out my MSR Whisperlite International Multi-fuel capable stove:
(White Gas, Unleaded Gas, Kerosene, Diesel, etc. ) buying some White Gas for it (It WILL burn Unleaded fine, but it's smokey and will limit the life of the stove if used regularly) I never got the chance to really take a detailed look at the route Google had planned for me.
Also, packing the gear, trial & error figuring out how best to attach the bags with bungie cords took me much longer than planed, and I didn't leave the house until 11AM. Good thing is that nothing ever rubbed or got loose to cause me any real trouble! Not even blasting down the Oregon City hill at 35+ MPH!
The bridge in Oregon City is still closed until some time in 2012, so I had to travel across the Sellwood bridge, which was surprisingly good, cars stayed well back and gave me plenty of space!
Once I got across however, I was traveling on HWY 43 a most NON-bike friendly route, and even thought there was a separate bike path that ran along it, not knowing where it connected to the route over the hills, I took the HWY, and cringed as cars came out of warp behind me!
So after surviving that mile or so, I found the point where Google suggested I take Taylor's Ferry road, and just as it started to hit 15 - 20% grade, it had a nice little suggestion ..... take the stairs!~?!!?
obviously Google never took into consideration a 150lb fully loaded touring bike for this route, so even though I could have pedaled up this hellish grade at about 3 MPH, I decided to push instead up the one lane road to the right of Taylors Ferry and save my pedaling muscles some grief.
Once on top of the hills, I was able to continue to follow the map on a more logical course, following bike paths on the side of HWY 210, HWY 10 and Walker Road that were pretty friendly, and uneventful until I reached Hillsboro.
This is one of the few portions of the route I did manage to get to look in detail on Google, and on their images I saw the point where I would get onto HWY 26 heading West to the coast, and it was a major freeway sure, but it has (or actually HAD) a huge shoulder with plenty of space! 8)
However, once I got to 185th my cycle computer's bracket gave-way, and I had to do an emergency zip-tie repair that came out better than I expected.
Next, heading down the shoulder of the on-ramp, my dreams of a beautiful wide shoulder were rudely interrupted by a 2 ft drop off, gravel bed and various heavy movers doing construction!
By now it was about 3pm and rush hour is in full swing, and I just couldn't believe there wasn't an alternative route, and I went a little north of HWY 26 to see if the North/South bike path connected with something heading west parallel to 26, no luck so I headed to town in search of a map.
I managed to find a Barnes & Noble, looked though their books on travel guides hoping to find something along the lines of bicycle travel routes, no luck, so I just got a regular map and tried my luck.
To my surprise, I am chatting with a lady in front of me in line, when the gent behind me pipes up "I live in Tillamook, you can put your bike in my truck and I will take you to where Hwy 26 meets HWY 47" this was the beginning of my streak of both good and bad fortune, however, I can only say that not for the grace of God, I made it anyway!
I was very happy to have this great guy solve my trouble of how to make the 10 miles I needed to connect to HWY 47 going toward Vernonia and then HWY 202, a route that Silvia was familiar with and had suggested (she also suggested I take the lite-rail or "MAX" train to Hillsboro, but silly me thought, "oh no that is going to take the same time as just riding there!" :lol: ) however, he being a local, I valued his advice, and he convinced me not to take 47 or 202, and to just take 26 down to 101, and then just follow 101 north to Astoria.
This was a HUGE learning experience to me, and from then on I learned the hard way NEVER take advice on where to ride a bicycle from someone who always travels by car! :lol:
Well, once dropped off by my friend with the pick-up, I started heading down 26 toward 101, encouraged after the debacle earlier in the morning, I soldiered onward, with "Wish You Were Here" playing in my head, and soon I was wishing I was somewhere else!
First off I had a very generous shoulder, not much traffic considering it was still about 4pm, so no true rush hour traffic yet, and then I realized to my shock that the West Hills were nothing more than the warm-up to the hills I was about to climb!
After countless steep grades, disappearing shoulders, 30ft drop-offs, soft shoulders and a narrow tunnel that thankfully had construction going on so a flagger waved us through one lane at a time (I might have stopped right there otherwise!) I somehow made it to a reasonable distance in the dark. I had nothing more than my "please see me!" light that had very little effect for lighting up the road, and fortunately I found a place to camp even though it wasn't designated a camp site, it also didn't have any signs saying I couldn't, so I slept to the sounds of the heavy equipment nearby fixing the road.
At this point I had made 48 miles progress after about 11 hours on the road: (This pic was taken early Friday Morning shortly before heading out.)
Well, all hopes of making the trip in one day dashed, I set out Friday at around 8AM to see what new surprises the road from hell would offer, and it did not disappoint! :lol:
A bit further on, I stopped at a spring that someone had made into a drinking fountain/faucet, and met the ex-husband of one of the founding members of the Recumbent Retreat! I also found a foam cross that had the "WWJD" (What Would Jesus Do?) printed on the front. I stopped and though a moment about what the cross was asking me, and I thought, well Jesus wouldn't litter, and took it with me. This also helped me with my attitude and reminded me to stop stressing out so much when people passed so close or I was slugging up a steep grade pushing the bike, and have a more positive outlook, and man I had no idea how much I was going to need it! :lol:
The first big climb I went up gained about 500ft in less than 2 miles, then a mile or so more I was at 1000ft, then back down a bit then up until after several miles I reached the peak:
A few miles further, I thought I had seen it all, and now had absolutely NO shoulder at all, and had to walk with the bike in the road, myself walking on the white line praying each time that I wouldn't get hit by the next onslaught of late summer vacationers too busy with their radios and such to even use the far lane when they had two, and I often stopped while they went by ready to jump down the side to escape an accident!
Here is one of the more generous "shoulders" along HWY 26 to give you and idea, I should have gotten a picture of the 100% slope (45%) sides of the road where it drops sometimes 30ft!
At some point I came across an oasis, a Rest Stop!!
It might as well have been covered with palm trees, and have a pool of emerald blue water, it was heaven!!
I was able to use a real bathroom, get more water, and relax for a few minutes before the next big hill, and even convert another person to the "Bent Side" !
A curious older lady wanted to know everything about this crazy but comfortable looking contraption I was riding, and eventually took a seat in it and wanted to take pictures.
One thing I must say about this bike, it's really incredible how unaffected by the extra weight! Other than just taking a bit lower gearing and effort to get the initial start especially on a hill, it's not wobbly or difficult to balance like a heavy laden up-right bike!
I think this is mostly due to the fact that all the weight centered on the rear wheel and seat isn't a big deal since you hold onto the solidly mounted seat, and while on the bike, your body weight balances things out, so none of the front of the bike trying to flop around dump the bike like most heavy loaded up-right bikes.
After my brief respite, it was back to hell! :lol:
The next thing to conquer was a two lane bridge around a blind corner with no shoulder or sidewalk and a lovely little sign saying "bicycles on road" posted on the bridge that would likely only be noticed IF the cars traveling at 55 MPH+ were looking for it, and I had a morbid image of a bicyclist run over like road kill "on the road" :lol: (Way to think positive right?! :wink: )
Well after surviving this ordeal, and again having to push the bike with mortal fear of being squished by the "can't be bothered" vacationers not wanting to disturb the left lane available to them on the steep grades, and seeming to think that if I had even an inch of shoulder they shouldn't need to give me any more room.
At around 1pm, I rolled into the Elderberry Inn:
At this point I was at peace with my situation, but I had decided I had fought valiantly, but sadly this was to be the end of the road. :|
In approximately 4 hours of actual time on the road not including stops, I had made only SIX MILES progress, and at this rate, I was going to reach Astoria .... NEVER! :wink: :lol:
I decided that it was no longer worth risking my life trying to make it along this road, and I went inside seeking a calling card, and trying to figure out who best to call about getting a ride home.
At this point I had about $30 to my name (I started this trip with $50 to spare, and spent $20 on food & supplies) and since I was sure the trip was over, bought a $10 calling card.
However, again someone was watching over me and altered my plans dramatically!
The same lady who sold me the calling card saw how defeated I was and really went out of her way to encourage me and raise my spirits!
"I used to ride these roads years ago on my bicycle, and I can tell you just 1/8th mile ahead, you can still take 103 and connect to 202 and follow your trip as planned!"
Somehow she managed to plant a small seed of hope, that even though I still wasn't sure I was going any further, I still bought the car, and went into the Elderberry and got a Blueberry Milkshake!
I forgot to mention that everyday of this trip so far has been perfect weather, a little on the hot side (75 - 90 DEG) but no rain at all! I even went with-out a front fender, and decided my rain gear would be enough.
For the first time I had real hope of getting on a route that would be bicycle friendly with advice from a local who also road a bicycle (sure if I had listened to Silvia in the beginning, I would have taken HWY 47 in the beginning, live and learn, no more advice from car drivers!! ) and just ride!
Just as described, I got on HWY 103 1/8 mile up the road, and from there on, it was a dream come true!!
I learned a new thing about "bike friendly" roads a sort of reverse psychology of car drivers, if there IS a shoulder they think, "Oh, he has room, no need to get over" but where there is NO shoulder, "Oh! I better give this guy some rooom!!" and room they gave!
Also, given the fact that HWY 202 isn't as direct and longer, windy twisty about the only people using this route are logging trucks, police and a few locals, so 90% of the time NO TRAFFIC!!
I was ecstatic! I could actually use my radio at times and listen to the local weather or music station and not have a constant stream of cars passing inches from my elbow!
The guy who gave me a ride in his truck had thought that the lack of shoulder and log trucks would have made 202 a very bad choice, but it proved opposite. Even though it's also a 55 MPH zone, half the time you have signs slowing ppl down to 20 or 30 MPH for the winding corners, and it's so quiet you hear them coming, and I managed to develop a rapport with the Loggers, waving as they passed going the opposite way, and when hearing one approach from behind, and I had a place to go, I would get off the road for them.
This worked so well, that I no longer feared them at all, only one of them the entire trip ever passed too close for comfort, and I never felt threatened of being ran off the road.
Friday was the best day on the road yet! I made amazing time especially considering that I was ready to call it quits about 1 pm, I rolled into Olney Oregon, at the Olney Store in the early Evening, and I was so elated!
The girl at the counter confirmed my final set of directions (Google did have some use after all! :lol: ) and I was off to Astoria!
I could smell the Ocean, and the roads were getting increasingly friendlier! At this point 202 connects to 101 and the locals are very friendly with rare exception and the Retreat was filled with the most wonderful people you will ever meet!
As I trudged along Hwy 101 I stopped another time to check my directions (and rest after a long hill) and got more confirmation that I was heading the right direction!
At some point in Warrenton (the town nearest Fort Stevens) I hit this mile stone and recorded it! (not a true "century" being done over 2 days, but hey, it was a big accomplishment for me! :wink: )
At around 8pm I finally reached my destination!!
Here are some pics of the Retreat! (Not mine, just a link or two from LayZeeDee's album I saw posted on bentrider.com)
http://picasaweb.google.com/101486801025514137400/RecumbentRetreat2011
Here is a pic of my wonderful hosts that shared their camp site with me! (Left to right, Paul, Myself in the back-round and Bev in the fore-ground on her trike ... not the best pic of Paul, but soon I'm sure there will be better pics available.)
This was my first trip of any kind beyond 80 miles on any bike, and I had ridden some pretty heavy Ebikes in the past, but nothing like taking a full touring load on a bicycle outfitted for self-supported camping (I brought ALL my food, water, tools & supplies for the 7 day trip). My motor from Golden Motor is still on the slow boat from China, so this was strictly leg-powered!
And this is the song that was playing in my head for most of the trip, so I thought it was fitting as the "theme" of the trip:
(I can't seem to imbed this youtube for some reason? ... it's Pink Floyd- Wish You Were Here)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGpnP0LYfjM&feature=fvsr
Well, the first thing that every trip starts with is a map and a plan right?
Wrong!
I had to get the bike ready first, including mounting my newly built 90mm front drum brake (Thank you Jude at Sugar Wheels!) and the first 24 inch fork I got had too short of a steer tube by about 1/4 inch, so I just eliminated the lock washer and used lock tight!
(it actually worked a charm, and never loosened on me, but still made me nervous). Next I needed to attach the rear rack that had also be provided by Rassy.Also I had gear that I have been collecting for a year or so that I thought might be useful for a long trip in hopes that some day I would take a trip across the US, but none of it had even been attached to a bike much less this new one!
I initially didn't think I would be able to go, but my parents gave me an advance on my next month's pay, so with maybe 4 days before I would need to leave, I started to figure out #1 how I would make the new drum brake wheel work with the giant 2.35 Big Apple tire (the original forks only gave me 1/16 in clearance between top of tire and fork!) and I wanted the option of a fender, so I had to find a 24 inch fork that would work, this proved to be very difficult at first!
I managed to stumble upon one at the Community Cycle Center in NE Portland, and then managed to cut the steer tube with out taking into consideration the thickness of the lock washer so really it was about 1/8 in shorter than it should have been, but it seemed to work fine, and again a little lock tight and away we go! :wink:
Next I needed to get the rear rack on, and since I had added a disk brake, I had different heights of the places I would bolt it down to, and fortunately this rear rack had adjustable length bottom mounts, so again with a little tweaking here and there, it fit just perfect!
Ok, now here is the question that I had to answer once I really looked hard at all my gear and weeded out the stuff I didn't need to take, how do you make this:
Fit on This?! :|
Well, after much packing and stuffing of the lap top bags that I had bought long ago from goodwill for around $3-$5 each, I was able to come up with this!
(Sorry I would have a much better picture, but with limited space on my camera, a better one of the bike packed was eliminated, and I really don't feel like re-packing the bike right now too tired still
)Ok, so I got to figure out how I am going to go there too right?
Wrong again!!
I forgot that I hadn't yet installed a cycle computer, and I was going to go cheap and just use one of the standard ones I have laying around, but none of them had a long enough cable to go to the rear wheel, and since I had to go to all the trouble of soldering on the extension, I decided to use my good one that also happened to be programmed for the large wheel on the back already anyway.
So as a re-cap, even before getting started packing or testing out my stove and other gear, I had to fab up a fork, rear rack, AND solder an extension onto the leads of my cycle computer to get the bike ready.
Every night of preparation I was up to around 2am, and even though during this time I received my Crow Cycle extra tall center stand, I had NO TIME to even think about fabing up a mount for it (blessing in disguise) and went with out any kick-stand of any kind.
Also, I have yet to receive my new motor from Golden Motor, so this was strictly a pedal power only operation (big chance if my fatigue set in!) and I was going alone, I had hoped to connect with someone else heading this way, but ran outta time for that.
So back to the map ... Google had given me a lovely trip through the West Hills (over them not around them!
:lol: ) including nothing less than the WORST road possible over said hills, Taylor's Ferry road!Since I was up so late just in preparation, testing out my MSR Whisperlite International Multi-fuel capable stove:
(White Gas, Unleaded Gas, Kerosene, Diesel, etc. ) buying some White Gas for it (It WILL burn Unleaded fine, but it's smokey and will limit the life of the stove if used regularly) I never got the chance to really take a detailed look at the route Google had planned for me.
Also, packing the gear, trial & error figuring out how best to attach the bags with bungie cords took me much longer than planed, and I didn't leave the house until 11AM. Good thing is that nothing ever rubbed or got loose to cause me any real trouble! Not even blasting down the Oregon City hill at 35+ MPH!
The bridge in Oregon City is still closed until some time in 2012, so I had to travel across the Sellwood bridge, which was surprisingly good, cars stayed well back and gave me plenty of space!
Once I got across however, I was traveling on HWY 43 a most NON-bike friendly route, and even thought there was a separate bike path that ran along it, not knowing where it connected to the route over the hills, I took the HWY, and cringed as cars came out of warp behind me!
So after surviving that mile or so, I found the point where Google suggested I take Taylor's Ferry road, and just as it started to hit 15 - 20% grade, it had a nice little suggestion ..... take the stairs!~?!!?
obviously Google never took into consideration a 150lb fully loaded touring bike for this route, so even though I could have pedaled up this hellish grade at about 3 MPH, I decided to push instead up the one lane road to the right of Taylors Ferry and save my pedaling muscles some grief.Once on top of the hills, I was able to continue to follow the map on a more logical course, following bike paths on the side of HWY 210, HWY 10 and Walker Road that were pretty friendly, and uneventful until I reached Hillsboro.
This is one of the few portions of the route I did manage to get to look in detail on Google, and on their images I saw the point where I would get onto HWY 26 heading West to the coast, and it was a major freeway sure, but it has (or actually HAD) a huge shoulder with plenty of space! 8)
However, once I got to 185th my cycle computer's bracket gave-way, and I had to do an emergency zip-tie repair that came out better than I expected.
Next, heading down the shoulder of the on-ramp, my dreams of a beautiful wide shoulder were rudely interrupted by a 2 ft drop off, gravel bed and various heavy movers doing construction!
By now it was about 3pm and rush hour is in full swing, and I just couldn't believe there wasn't an alternative route, and I went a little north of HWY 26 to see if the North/South bike path connected with something heading west parallel to 26, no luck so I headed to town in search of a map.
I managed to find a Barnes & Noble, looked though their books on travel guides hoping to find something along the lines of bicycle travel routes, no luck, so I just got a regular map and tried my luck.
To my surprise, I am chatting with a lady in front of me in line, when the gent behind me pipes up "I live in Tillamook, you can put your bike in my truck and I will take you to where Hwy 26 meets HWY 47" this was the beginning of my streak of both good and bad fortune, however, I can only say that not for the grace of God, I made it anyway!
I was very happy to have this great guy solve my trouble of how to make the 10 miles I needed to connect to HWY 47 going toward Vernonia and then HWY 202, a route that Silvia was familiar with and had suggested (she also suggested I take the lite-rail or "MAX" train to Hillsboro, but silly me thought, "oh no that is going to take the same time as just riding there!"
:lol: ) however, he being a local, I valued his advice, and he convinced me not to take 47 or 202, and to just take 26 down to 101, and then just follow 101 north to Astoria.This was a HUGE learning experience to me, and from then on I learned the hard way NEVER take advice on where to ride a bicycle from someone who always travels by car! :lol:
Well, once dropped off by my friend with the pick-up, I started heading down 26 toward 101, encouraged after the debacle earlier in the morning, I soldiered onward, with "Wish You Were Here" playing in my head, and soon I was wishing I was somewhere else!
First off I had a very generous shoulder, not much traffic considering it was still about 4pm, so no true rush hour traffic yet, and then I realized to my shock that the West Hills were nothing more than the warm-up to the hills I was about to climb!
After countless steep grades, disappearing shoulders, 30ft drop-offs, soft shoulders and a narrow tunnel that thankfully had construction going on so a flagger waved us through one lane at a time (I might have stopped right there otherwise!) I somehow made it to a reasonable distance in the dark. I had nothing more than my "please see me!" light that had very little effect for lighting up the road, and fortunately I found a place to camp even though it wasn't designated a camp site, it also didn't have any signs saying I couldn't, so I slept to the sounds of the heavy equipment nearby fixing the road.
At this point I had made 48 miles progress after about 11 hours on the road: (This pic was taken early Friday Morning shortly before heading out.)
Well, all hopes of making the trip in one day dashed, I set out Friday at around 8AM to see what new surprises the road from hell would offer, and it did not disappoint! :lol:
A bit further on, I stopped at a spring that someone had made into a drinking fountain/faucet, and met the ex-husband of one of the founding members of the Recumbent Retreat! I also found a foam cross that had the "WWJD" (What Would Jesus Do?) printed on the front. I stopped and though a moment about what the cross was asking me, and I thought, well Jesus wouldn't litter, and took it with me. This also helped me with my attitude and reminded me to stop stressing out so much when people passed so close or I was slugging up a steep grade pushing the bike, and have a more positive outlook, and man I had no idea how much I was going to need it! :lol:
The first big climb I went up gained about 500ft in less than 2 miles, then a mile or so more I was at 1000ft, then back down a bit then up until after several miles I reached the peak:
A few miles further, I thought I had seen it all, and now had absolutely NO shoulder at all, and had to walk with the bike in the road, myself walking on the white line praying each time that I wouldn't get hit by the next onslaught of late summer vacationers too busy with their radios and such to even use the far lane when they had two, and I often stopped while they went by ready to jump down the side to escape an accident!
Here is one of the more generous "shoulders" along HWY 26 to give you and idea, I should have gotten a picture of the 100% slope (45%) sides of the road where it drops sometimes 30ft!
At some point I came across an oasis, a Rest Stop!!
It might as well have been covered with palm trees, and have a pool of emerald blue water, it was heaven!!
I was able to use a real bathroom, get more water, and relax for a few minutes before the next big hill, and even convert another person to the "Bent Side" !
A curious older lady wanted to know everything about this crazy but comfortable looking contraption I was riding, and eventually took a seat in it and wanted to take pictures.
One thing I must say about this bike, it's really incredible how unaffected by the extra weight! Other than just taking a bit lower gearing and effort to get the initial start especially on a hill, it's not wobbly or difficult to balance like a heavy laden up-right bike!
I think this is mostly due to the fact that all the weight centered on the rear wheel and seat isn't a big deal since you hold onto the solidly mounted seat, and while on the bike, your body weight balances things out, so none of the front of the bike trying to flop around dump the bike like most heavy loaded up-right bikes.
After my brief respite, it was back to hell! :lol:
The next thing to conquer was a two lane bridge around a blind corner with no shoulder or sidewalk and a lovely little sign saying "bicycles on road" posted on the bridge that would likely only be noticed IF the cars traveling at 55 MPH+ were looking for it, and I had a morbid image of a bicyclist run over like road kill "on the road" :lol: (Way to think positive right?! :wink: )
Well after surviving this ordeal, and again having to push the bike with mortal fear of being squished by the "can't be bothered" vacationers not wanting to disturb the left lane available to them on the steep grades, and seeming to think that if I had even an inch of shoulder they shouldn't need to give me any more room.
At around 1pm, I rolled into the Elderberry Inn:
At this point I was at peace with my situation, but I had decided I had fought valiantly, but sadly this was to be the end of the road. :|
In approximately 4 hours of actual time on the road not including stops, I had made only SIX MILES progress, and at this rate, I was going to reach Astoria .... NEVER! :wink: :lol:
I decided that it was no longer worth risking my life trying to make it along this road, and I went inside seeking a calling card, and trying to figure out who best to call about getting a ride home.
At this point I had about $30 to my name (I started this trip with $50 to spare, and spent $20 on food & supplies) and since I was sure the trip was over, bought a $10 calling card.
However, again someone was watching over me and altered my plans dramatically!
The same lady who sold me the calling card saw how defeated I was and really went out of her way to encourage me and raise my spirits!
"I used to ride these roads years ago on my bicycle, and I can tell you just 1/8th mile ahead, you can still take 103 and connect to 202 and follow your trip as planned!"
Somehow she managed to plant a small seed of hope, that even though I still wasn't sure I was going any further, I still bought the car, and went into the Elderberry and got a Blueberry Milkshake!
I forgot to mention that everyday of this trip so far has been perfect weather, a little on the hot side (75 - 90 DEG) but no rain at all! I even went with-out a front fender, and decided my rain gear would be enough.
For the first time I had real hope of getting on a route that would be bicycle friendly with advice from a local who also road a bicycle (sure if I had listened to Silvia in the beginning, I would have taken HWY 47 in the beginning, live and learn, no more advice from car drivers!!
) and just ride!Just as described, I got on HWY 103 1/8 mile up the road, and from there on, it was a dream come true!!
I learned a new thing about "bike friendly" roads a sort of reverse psychology of car drivers, if there IS a shoulder they think, "Oh, he has room, no need to get over" but where there is NO shoulder, "Oh! I better give this guy some rooom!!" and room they gave!
Also, given the fact that HWY 202 isn't as direct and longer, windy twisty about the only people using this route are logging trucks, police and a few locals, so 90% of the time NO TRAFFIC!!
I was ecstatic! I could actually use my radio at times and listen to the local weather or music station and not have a constant stream of cars passing inches from my elbow!
The guy who gave me a ride in his truck had thought that the lack of shoulder and log trucks would have made 202 a very bad choice, but it proved opposite. Even though it's also a 55 MPH zone, half the time you have signs slowing ppl down to 20 or 30 MPH for the winding corners, and it's so quiet you hear them coming, and I managed to develop a rapport with the Loggers, waving as they passed going the opposite way, and when hearing one approach from behind, and I had a place to go, I would get off the road for them.
This worked so well, that I no longer feared them at all, only one of them the entire trip ever passed too close for comfort, and I never felt threatened of being ran off the road.
Friday was the best day on the road yet! I made amazing time especially considering that I was ready to call it quits about 1 pm, I rolled into Olney Oregon, at the Olney Store in the early Evening, and I was so elated!
The girl at the counter confirmed my final set of directions (Google did have some use after all!
:lol: ) and I was off to Astoria!I could smell the Ocean, and the roads were getting increasingly friendlier! At this point 202 connects to 101 and the locals are very friendly with rare exception and the Retreat was filled with the most wonderful people you will ever meet!
As I trudged along Hwy 101 I stopped another time to check my directions (and rest after a long hill) and got more confirmation that I was heading the right direction!
At some point in Warrenton (the town nearest Fort Stevens) I hit this mile stone and recorded it! (not a true "century" being done over 2 days, but hey, it was a big accomplishment for me! :wink: )
At around 8pm I finally reached my destination!!
Here are some pics of the Retreat! (Not mine, just a link or two from LayZeeDee's album I saw posted on bentrider.com)
http://picasaweb.google.com/101486801025514137400/RecumbentRetreat2011
Here is a pic of my wonderful hosts that shared their camp site with me! (Left to right, Paul, Myself in the back-round and Bev in the fore-ground on her trike ... not the best pic of Paul, but soon I'm sure there will be better pics available.)
