The 75 mile ride from Rickreall to Eugene , Oregon was very different from the other days of biking. The sun was shining brightly and the temp was up to 82 degrees. The cumulative climb was only 1325 feet. We were bicycling in the Willamette Valley flanked by the Cascade Mountains in the distance. It was nearly flat as a pancake and the altitude in Eugene was just 450 feet.
Along the way we also stopped at a park and spread out all our camping equipment so that it would dry out from the previous week's rainy torment so that it would be dry for the rest of our 4300 mile journey. (That hope was quickly dashed.)
We camped out in the back of Steve's Cottage in Eugene. Steve is a college friend of my son, Chris. He was very gracious in providing a wonderful dinner consisting of lamb and quinoa (pasta) and spinach (from his organic garden). Then it was out to the local ice cream parlor, but don't tell my cardiologist.
Along the way we stopped at the USPS to ship some non-critical items that werre contributing to weight and bulk.I need every advantage I can get going up the mountains. As one continues on the journey you learn what works and what does not work and what you can get away without having to carry.
On the way we met a wonderful couple that were also doing the Trans Am. They were Betsy and Dennis. She is a med tech and he is a publisher.
They asked what we were going to do to weather out the upcoming storm. Of course I had no idea there was a storm coming. From the experience of the prior week I just figured it was always stormy in Oregon....see tomorrow's blog.
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