12mph

While I try to recover from arriving home after leaving Roseburg, Oregon early this morning, I’ll write an update for Steve too. It always seems bizarre to travel all day from a more remote location and be home that evening. I have to pinch myself a little.

Yesterday’s “dip” went well along the Pacific Coast. We were at a public beach in Bandon, Oregon for the official tire dipping and first pedal strokes eastward. Steve was joined by our friend Laura and one of her cycling friends, Sandy. The three of them left Bandon, Oregon at 11:30 A.M., May 29, 2005. The coastline was breath-taking and tomorrow when I have more time I will upload some photos. The trio rode almost 60 miles from Bandon to Camas Valley. Their trek included windy roads up and over the Coastal Mountain Range.

Steve called me at O’Hare this evening as I was waiting for Stephanie to pick me up along with the bike case and luggage. Steve, Laura, Laura & DeWaine’s son Chayse, and one of her other cycling friends, Shelly, rode from Camas Valley to Susan Creek, which was another 58-59 miles. When Steve called he had already set up his camp and showered and it was 6:10 PM Pacific time. Tomorrow he’ll be on his own so now he’s truly on his own. Today and tomorrow he’ll have negotiated the Cascade Range. Once Wednesday comes he’ll be heading into high dessert terrain and extremely desolate areas.

Over the weekend our college friends, DeWaine and Laura, treated us to wonderful hospitality. DeWaine, Chayse, and I hung out together yesterday after seeing the biking trio on their way. We returned to the beach where we built a beach fort out of tree remnants strewn on the beach. We rewarded ourselves for providing support to the cyclists and being such good fort builders by enjoying some yummy Bandon Cheese Factory homemade ice cream. Yum!! I had Brown Cow, which is an assortment of three different chocolate ice creams in one….go figure!

Steve was quite touched by all of the post-cards that were in his packet that I gave him en route to Portland. Yes, he’ll enjoy them and find great inspiration from all of you.

Happy Trails to all of you! –Love, Diane

We are in Oregon – at a hotel in Portland. As Barb would say “One more go-to-bed!”

The plane ride out was eventful. After sitting on the runway at Ohare for 40 minutes we finally took off. Then headwinds finished us off and we missed our connecting flight – despite an airport sprint. These new rules about closing the doors 10 minutes before take off did us in. The next flight was in 45 minutes, so it turned out okay. The luggage made it, the bike made it, and somewhere in the middle of the night we got to the hotel. Fresh baked cookies were waiting, so it was all good!

We watched the weather this morning. It is going to be warmer, cooler, cloudy, sunny, showers, thunderstorms, and snow. So I guess I’ll just get up tomorrow morning and ride.

Tomorrow’s ride is from Bandon to Roseburg, 80 some miles. 🙂

Steve

It’s 5 PM and this place is humming with last minute preparations. Steve has cleaned, lubed, and successfully dismantled his bike and has it carefully padded inside its case. The need for another large bag is apparent so we can get the 4 panniers and their accompanying racks to Oregon with us. The confounding factor in this is that we each get two pieces of luggage….2 X 2 is 4. Well, I’m the only one flying back so negotiating 4 bags (one of which is a large hard-shell bike case) could be a challenge. Steve’s hoping that my small piece of luggage and one of the bags he’s using for some of his gear will fit inside the bike case. Then I’ll have only 2!!!

The forecast for our destination in Oregon is 90 degrees today. But…by Sunday when he’s to begin the ride, the 70s and showers are in the forecast. Hmmmm….he may put his new rain gear to use right away.

Thanks for all the cool comments. We’ve also received a ton of emails today. It’s quite heart-warming. Love to you all! –Diane