Here are a few pictures from our trip this weekend. It was a blast. There were plenty of monotonous climbs and just as many exhilarating decents. We saw a lynx, couple of dead skunks, weed smoking Canadians, nice drivers, mean drivers, blue skies, misty gray skies, lots of food, and lots of K's (canadian for miles...sort of). We went 175 miles (281.63 K's).

Enjoy!


Speedracer Jim...

Jim riding along Nehalem Bay...



Jones Creek Campground, night 2...



Mike in full dork-wear (albeit safe)...



After a big freaking climb up Neakahnie Mountain...

More Mike-u:

I did not find it
My old mirror is still lost
I like my new one

Inspired by Steph's lyrical posts...

Once I had a mirror that showed me where I'd been.
It told when to get out 'the way, it also told me when
approaching cars were driven by the stupid or insane
who'd rather talk on celly-phones than stay inside their lanes

But alas my lonely mirror, my poor old mirror is gone
I've searched and searched, up high and low, intently and so long
And Oh...this weekend when I will be needing it the most
For Jim and I will saddle up and ride out to the coast

So to the bike shop today I will ride
and purchase a NEW mirror, once I'm inside
And when I get home, I guarantee
I'll find my old mirror, just waiting for me!

PB

Saddle Sore?

On Saturday, Jim and I rode our bikes 30 miles in and 1000 feet up the coast range, and 30 miles back down into Hillsboro. We're planning and "epic" adventure for Memorial Day weekend (depending on the weather - we're wimps), and we needed to get a taste of what it's going to be like. The trip should be around 170 miles total. 80 miles from Hillsboro to Hug Point (no jokes please) via Hwy 26 and Canon Beach. Then 60 miles on day two from Hug Point through Tillamook and up to the summit of the coast range. On day three, just a measley 30 miles back home. The best part is we'll be carrying all of our gear with us. It's like backpacking...but we'll call it bikepacking (aka Bike Touring).

I have to say, I'm quite impressed with our efforts. 60 miles in one day is farther than I ever considered riding. And fortunately, not a whole lot of "sore buttness" resulted.

Our scouting trip was wonderful. It was a beautiful day. Some blue sky poked through, but mostly it was overcast and cool - which was just perfect for riding. We met some other friendly cyclists and saw lots of beautiful trees, fields and valleys. We felt really good most of the way. Near the end, the pedaling got a bit laborious, but with better calorie planning, I think we'll be just fine.

Riding your bike makes you appreciate a lot of things. The scenery goes by so much more slowly that when you're driving that you really have a chance to drink it in. And there's nothing better than riding past a gas station when it's $3.59 a gallon.

Thanks Jim for a great ride...can't wait for the big one.

A few from this weekend.