Day 4. June 20

Day 4.  June 20

Last night we stayed at the Kah-Née-Ta Indian resort. Very nice.

This morning we set out about 7:00am for what I thought was going to be a little 60 mile ride to our next destination - Prineville.  The sun was out and the sky half filled with puffy white clouds, but it was less than 50 degrees. I actually found the day to be a bit of a tough ride, encountering strong head and cross winds most of the day only one SAG stop today (supply and gear for you non-bike riders) at about mile 30.

Some of the scenery was absolutely gorgeous. For several miles we could see Mount Jefferson, still covered in snow. In the high desert, there is a lot of scrub bushes, but a lot of farming as well with the huge irrigation systems. We saw some hay fields and wheat fields as well as cattle and horses.

After the SAG stop, it was 30 miles to the next stop. The hills were pretty and the road pretty straight with a little up and down. Actually, as pretty as it was, e scenery got somewhat tedious, as it never changed. Others commented the same. Mile 30 to 50, I found a bit challenging, just mile after mile, riding into the headwind. The last 10 miles gave us a bit of a break, as it was mostly downhill. We got into Prineville about 1:30, glad to be done. I stopped to eat at a local Subway restaurant. Quite a line and not just with cyclists. As I was waiting in line, an older woman (I'd guess in her early 70s) had just gotten her food and was ready to sit down to enjoy her lunch when she asked if we were out for a little bike ride today. When I told her about the day's ride and then the overall goal, the look on her face was precious. She wore hearing aids and I suspect she initially thought she didn't hear me right when I asked how far it was  to New Hampshire. Then I asked about her town. She told me it sat on a caldera, in a bowl, formed by a volcano hundreds of thousands of years ago. She was waiting for the rodeo to come to town next week, as that's one of the big events in the summer. She told me they grow a lot of mint nearby, for candy and gum. Next time you chew a piece of spearmint gum, think of Prineville, Oregon! She also told me that ine of the big activities was to collect rocks. there were plenty of rocks around, but they look for those that had been spewed out of the volcano. the cut them, polish and sell them.  Look up "Thunder Eggs."  She was obviously very proud of her town and wanted to make sure we saw their courthouse. Prineville is the county seat of Crook County. She said it named that because of all the crooks they had. She then say down to enjoy her lunch, but before she left, she stopped by and wished me well.

Be well

Again, if you have any questions, whether about biking or anything else, just send an email to.  donwisler@att.net, or make a comment to the blog.

Don

Pictures

I with apologies, I'm still trying to figure out how to download pictures fro my camera to the iPad to the blog. The pictures take a lot a space and overwhelm the page.
In the meanwhile you can see some pictures taken by the America by Bicycle staff at
http://www.americabybicycle.com/wordpress/?cat=22

Don

Day 3 - June 19

Day 3.  June 19

Welches, OR to the Kee-Nah-Ta resort in Warm Sprins, OR.

We loaded the wagons between 6:15 and 6:30 this morning before riding to breakfast at the Whistle Stop Cafe. It was not quite on the way, but less than a mile away.

Sorry about not writing yesterday. We rode a little over 75 miles and didn't, get in until late afternoon. Because they had to shuttle us to supper it made for a tight schedule. We didn't get back to the hotel (resort, really) in Welches until almost 9p.

Day two was a bit harder with a few longer climbs of 2 1/2 miles at 5 to 6% grades. With this being only day 2, I still don't have the legs on total shape (that'll come within the next two weeks or so, I hope). So I went to bed just after 9. Glad I did.

After all the climbing yesterday, we got to what appeared to be a slight descent. But the bike seemed so sluggish. I couldn't get it over 13 mph, no matter how hard I tried.  At first I thought I had developed a slow leak or the brakes were rubbing. When neither of those were detected, I really got worried, thinking it was rider fatigue )old man's legs).

Today, when I experienced the same problem, I thought I was going to be in real trouble. It could be a long ride if I couldn't get much faster. Then they suggested that it may have been a "false flat" where the terrain seems flat or even a downgrade, but it's really a 2 to 3% up slope. Today, I was relieved to learn that's obviously what happened. Once we got over the hill, I was going downhill at 35 to 40 mph and on e flats could pretty easily hit 20 to 22.

Back to the ride today.  It started out pretty chilly this morning in the upper 30s. Yesterday they had predicted a 50% chance of rain today, but it came during the night. It was very overcast this morning, but the rain was holding off.  The first rest stop was at the 14 mile mark, as we were going up Mount Hood. Again, long, grinding hills. I spent nearly the fist two hours going between 5.5 and 8 mph, going up the mountains. By the time I got to the top, I was wet with sweat, but oh so cold. I thought it would be a miserable day for sure, as we had anger 55 miles to go. Then we crested and began the descent. Then it started a misting rain. The descent was  easier, but being wet, I got even colder. Toward the bottom, we stopped at a gas station to warm hands at the blow dryer in the rest room.

Had a nice chat with one of the staff. It was Ray's 55th birthday today. He was so proud of his two sons that have served in the military. One was a code breaker. After a cup of coffee and feeling a little warmer, it was back to the bike.

A few more climbs and descents and it was clear we were coming out of the mountains. It was amazing how in just five miles, the scenery changed from very green and filled with tall pine trees, to brown with much shorter tress spread further apart. The flowers along the road were changing as well. We started entering the high desert of Oregon. Soon we were riding fairly flat roads, surrounded by rather large, brown hills with scattered evergreens and red dirt in splotches. The sun came out and it began to get a bit warmer, reaching the mid 60s. In the distance we could see Mount Jefferson, covered in snow.

Then we started another long descent on a road with sweeping turns and some switchbacks. I tried to hold it between 30 and 35, but what a ride. Those of you who ride know the feeling. It was an afternoon that was marvelous. We ended the last quarter mile with a steep climb up to the Kee-Nah-Ta resort. It's on an Indian reservation in Warm Springs.

Great day. Tomorrow will be a bit lighter - 60 miles with some good climbs -getting ready for 116 miles on Friday.

Keep praying for me, as I do you.

Be well.

Don

Day 1 - June 17

Breakfast was available at 6 am this morning and most riders were there on time. Vans were loaded at 7, a group picture taken at 7:20 and riders were on the road shortly thereafter.
The weather was nice today. Dry, reaching into the upper 60s -great for riding. A little cross wind, but a nice day for riding.

I kissed Tam good-bye just after 7:30 ( today is our 41st wedding anniversary), hopped on my bike and headed out with Josine, a women from the Netherlands. Boy, is she a strong rider! She led most of the way. At the end of the day, a few of us were calling her "Big Ring." None of us ever saw her take it off the big drive ring. Even up the 6% grades, she never put it in the little ring!! Most of us were quick to gear down pretty low. Cyclists will understand this. If you non-cyclists would like a little explanation and I can give you a lesson on bike gearing.

The first part of the ride was a little rolling, some climbs, but not bad. They staged the first rest stop at mile 20, so everyone was still pretty fresh. Josine made sure we were one of the first to arrive.
A little further up the road, we were joined by Mitch from Plano, TX.
Ten the climbs started. There were 3 or 4 two+ mile climbs at 5 or 6% grade.  As long as I geared down and rode my ride, not trying to keep up with Mitch or Josine, I was fine. They generally waited at the top of the hill and off we went.  Downhills were a lot easier, but a bit scarier. Sme of the roads were pretty rough and I was shaking down at about 38 mph.

As we came down one of,the final hills, just past Alston, the view opened up to the Columbia River. We could see a snow-capped mountain in the background. Just gorgeous. At one point, a big logging truck came whiz zing pst, a bit close for my comfort level.  "Hail Mary, full of grace..." I wasn't about to stop and take a picture. Just wanted to get to the bottom so I could slow down and get out of the way of trucks.

Shortly after the 2nd stop, I could no longer catch up, so spent the next 15 miles or so riding by myself. But that's ok. It gave me a chance to think of all of you. Finally, I arrived in St. Helens a little after 1pm. Felt good to finally get the riding gear off, ice down a bit and take a shower.

Tomorrow we get up and do it all over again, only a little further, as we head toward Mt. Hood.

Be well

Don

Day 0 The Adventure Begins!

So let the adventure begin.

Tam and I arrived in Astoria, the beginning point of the ride, on Saturday, and signed in among the early birds. A few riders have been here a couple of days already, and we began to meet those I will spend the next seven weeks with. The variety of riders is amazing, from at least 15 different states (some of that information was not listed for every rider). There is a rider from Perth, Australia (he looks really strong), Tel Aviv, Israel, Tapei, Taiwan, and from The Hague, Netherlands. People have literally come from all over the world to share this trip. Just amazing.

This afternoon, a group of about 11 riders, rode 15 miles to the beach to ceremoniously dip our rear wheels into the Pacific. It felt good to be back on the bike. I've not ridden since packing the bike and shipping it west on June 6.

Tomorrow (Monday) is a 68 mile ride to St. Helen, OR with about 3200 feet of climb.  We'll probably spend the next few days learning who rides at the same pace, who the strong riders are and who are the slower riders.  In 50 days, God willing, we will all dip our front wheels into the Atlantic to mark the end. In between, there will be lots of pedaling, uphill and downhill. 

Today, the skies are cloudy and the temperature is in the mid 60s with a moderate wind, enough that a windbreaker felt good, at least on the first half of the ride. Tomorrow we start riding toward the mountains. The forecasts are calling for a bit of rain over the next few days.

These posts over the next few weeks may seem a bit overdue or a day late, as most who may be reading this are on Eastern Daylight time. We're 3 hours later out here on the Pacific. I know you are all anxious for some pictures, so I'll try that tomorrow.

For now, be well.

Don

A Few Days of Fun Before the Ride

Tam and I left Columbus yesterday (Tuesday, June 11) flying through Washington DC to get to Seattle - obviously not the most direct route, but one that worked with our time frame. We were scheduled for a 3 1/2 hour layover, but  lucked out in that, just as we arrived at Dulles, there was a plane boarding for Seattle. It had been delayed by over 2 hours. We were the last ones to board and again lucked out with exit row seats - plenty of leg room. I couldn't even touch the seat in front of me.

We rented a car and drove north to Bellingham to renew friendship with a couple we met last summer. We had a lovely evening catching up and today (Wednesday) spent several hours on their 40 foot sailboat in Bellingham Bay. I learned how to hoist the mainsail and trim the jib without falling in the drink. Before today I wasn't even sure what a jib was.

Several of the streets here in Bellingham are rather steep. All day long,  I kept looking at the mountains outside town, wondering to myself how I would get a bicycle over them.  It's been a week since I've been on my bike, time enough to lose a little of the training I've done this spring.  America by Bicycle (AB Bike) has reported to us that there will be over 108,000 feet of climbing on this ride across America. An email yesterday indicated that almost 25% of the climbing takes place in the first week of the ride.  Part of me is thinking, "You're in trouble!" And a smaller part of me is thinking, "You can do this, but you're going to hurt a lot the first several days!" I'll report on this after a few days of riding.

I got word today that my bike made it to the hotel. Now I just have to pedal east.

Tomorrow, we leave Bellingham and we'll spend a day or two in Seattle before heading to the start line. Probably one, maybe two more posts before we start riding.

Be well.  Thanks to all of you who have called or emailed wishing me well. I enjoy hearing from you and will try to answer any questions you might have - about cycling, the ride, what I'm doing in my "spare" time. Feel free to ask or comment along the way.

Don

Why?!?!

Why is always an interesting question, don’t you think? A lot of people are learning about my intended bike ride across America this summer and reaction has been interesting. For most people, when they think about taking a bike ride, they think about a few miles around the neighborhood. I’m one of those, however, that thinks a ride of 25 to 40 miles is a fun way to spend a few hours, and occasionally it’s nice to challenge yourself to 50 to 70 miles.

So what was I thinking when I registered (yes – I actually sent them a lot of money to do this) to join a bunch of people I don’t know and spend 50 days riding my bicycle 3,667 miles across 10 states and a Canadian province? I’m inclined to agree with those who have asked if I’m nuts. At this point, about 6 weeks before the ride begins, I’m excited, but plenty anxious. So far this year, I’ve ridden just about 500 miles. I think I’ll need to get in another 750 to 1,000 miles before the trip starts in mid-June. My biggest concern is that I’m from central Ohio where the roads are as flat as a tabletop. I’ve heard rumors and even seen pictures that the roads in Oregon, Idaho and Wyoming have a bit more of an uphill incline to them. To a “flatlander” that sounds intimidating and like a lot of work!

So why would a 63 year old guy want to take on such a challenge when there are a lot easier ways to spend the summer? Well, lots of reasons. As daunting as it seems and as challenging as I know it will be, it still sounds like a lot of fun. There is much of our country I’ve not yet seen, especially out West and especially as “up close and personal” as from the saddle of a bicycle.

But a big reason is to bring some attention to the work of Catholic Social Services (CSS) in the Columbus (OH) diocese where I’ve spent the last 10 years as chief executive officer.

CSS is a faith-based agency that exists as an expression of the Church’s call to serve – to love God and love neighbor (Luke 10:27) – focused on improving the quality of life for people in central and southern Ohio, regardless of faith background or circumstance. We provide emergency assistance as well as services to individuals and families and services to older adults.

My intention is to post regular accounts of my trip (June 16 through August 5) and to use some of these notes to better inform people about the services of CSS and circumstances of many of our clients. And I'm tyring to raise money for the agency.

I expect that the trip will get long and at times tedious. If you’d like to help encourage me along the way, I’d very much appreciate your support by making a contribution to Catholic Social Services. Every nickel raised will go to support the programs of the agency and help those in need.

Please consider making a donation at www.colscss.org by clicking the “Donate Now” button and writing “Don’s Bike Ride “ in the comment section.  Thanks. Stay tuned for future posts.