Day 10

Breakfast of champions. Off to the border

Whirl winds

Waking up Friday morning at South Beach, we had to make a decision to ride or not for the day. We were warned that winds would reach 70 mph so we made a group consensus to stay at South beach for another night and not ride. Luckily this state park has a hospitality center with puzzles, games, cards, and magazines. We didnt want to tent as we mifht blow away so As we waited for a yurt, we did a cathedral puzzle. A young lad walked in and asked to hang out. His name is Nick and just had cycled 90 miles. As we got to know him, we asked if he wanted to join our yurt which would make it only 10 dollars a night for a bed, heat, and electricity.

Also...Nick is a bike mechanic and has been itching to work on bikes. Sandy had been squeaking for days so nick took care of that for him, put new brake pads on and he lubed up all of our chains before we left south beach.

The typhoon winds did not settle down all weekend. We spent all weekend at south beach and our amazing camp host, Jack, drove us into town to do laundry at Newport bike shop and grocery shop. The next day he took us to art galleries and even bought us lunch. Every night but the last night we stayed there, we built a fire in the rain to cook our dinner which was mainly bean tacos every night with tortilla chips and sometimes a 6 pack.

During this time, Sarah has made the decision that it is best if she quits the tour. We must always do whats best for ourselves and follow our instincts. I wish her the best.

I ride on not alone. Sandy and Nick are my new riding team. The three of us were able to finally leave south beach-which was the best park to be held up at for a long weekend- Monday morning.

Day 9

Beautiful riding day! It was dune day! Explored some of Oregon's finest dunes. With a small hike we got tbe most amazing 360 view! Rode just about 60 miles today to sunset state park. We arrived just as the sun was setting and it was glorious! We met a lot of other cyclists today. 2 gals from Portland, a couple from England, another guy from Leeds, a fella from Montreal. And most of us are all sleeping at this park so we made another fire, invited our friends, and feasted over-you guessed it- bean burritos and tortillas.

Day 8

Sailing off into the light drizzle, we rode about 50 miles to Jessie honeycomb state park. Found a cool log over a river to clb across. Later, We cooked beans and lentils and salsa and shared tortilla chips.

Oregon coast day 5-7

Day 5
Tilamook smells like poop
Riding in the rain is no fun.
Riding on unlit streets is especially no fun. Raccoons eating all your food makes for an exceptionally memorable evening.

Day 6
Took a detour to an artichoke farm. Sampled the world's finest jams, salsas, humus, and syrups. Rode a lot of miles but didnt make it too far south. Found camp kiwanda. Met a fellow from Scotland named Sandy who is on his way to Mexico. We all hiked in the dunes that night to watch the sunset, enjoyed hot beans, tortillas and hummus over a fire and Washed it all down with a local IPA. A man named grizzly, who tours the west coast on his wheelchair, kept us great company with a hearty laugh and stories of Woodstock.

Day 7

Sandy joined our riding team since we are all heading the same way. Enjoyed amazing scenery along the coastal ride today. Made some stops at lookout points and made it down to south beach with our new friend. Had a campfire and cooked some beans and snacked on more salty tortillas. I learned the hardway not to trust the critters that hang out at campsites, so sandy helped me tie our food in a tree to keep the raccoons out. With a spliff hanging out his mouth, Sandy shimmyed up the slimey moss tree to adjust our rope. We all slept peacefully and woke up dry.

Inspiration

I wanted to mention that upon arriving in Seattle, I had a straight 2 mile uphill ride. A STEEP 2 mile uphill ride. I had to get off my bike a few times and I wanted to vomit, thinking to myself, "What did I get myself into...." I vented to one of my bike mechanic friends and he provided me with some great advice I wanted to share...

"You got this! Lil ring, spin spin spin! Think about each hill like an individual obstacle that better prepares you for the next individual obstacle. Breath even, and don't get bothered by your pace. Take it as slow as you need. Be like Winnie the Pooh! Confront only the problem immediately in front of you, be anxious for nothing, stop for honey whenever you please." 

Thanks Jarod. 

Also...

Matthew Jarrett has been a biking hero of mine and helped me revise my gear list when he told me he's been touring with just one pair of socks...He just completed a coast to coast, border to border ride at 6500 miles. As an Iraqi Vet, he's riding to spread awareness about veteran suicide which is at a staggering 22 a day. Check out this guy and support his cause   

And my little baby bears! These little dumpling pies are the most amazing nieces and I hope that I am inspiring them just as much as they inspire me. I miss them usually the most.

Day 4

We wanted to push out a long day on Day 3 so we could have a relaxing 29 mile ride into Portland. And it was. We stopped in St. John's for a snack at a really awesome vegan co-op. Sarah and I shared a burrito with all my favorite ingredients: plantains, beets, greens, sweet potatoes, black beans and quinoa topped with guacamole. One of my favorite meals, possibly ever.

St. John's Bridge

Portland has been wonderful. I'm staying with my best friend Sydney's older sister Carmen and her husband Peter and their lovely roommates who have all been so good to me. Carmen and Peter are in a band called The Marvins... www.themarvinsmusic.com Check them out! They played a show last night at a local pub called the White Eagle and Carmen's upright bass playing knocked my socks off!

We are leaving tomorrow and taking a bus called The Wave to Tilamook, OR which is just straight west of Portland and it will drop us off right on the coast where we will start our official Pacific Coast riding on the 101. The Wave has bike racks and takes about 2 hours to get to the coast....not to shabby.