On the Road Again, and Loving It

Lewiston, ID to Orofino, ID

45 Miles

Yesterday's ride was so difficult I seriously wondered if I could do this ride (although not really seriously).  Today, however, the ride was so beautiful and amazingly easy I decided I liked biking again. Tomorrow back in the mountains and the weather is still in the sweltering zone. But Im ready and optimistic and so thankful to be able to have this experience.

For tonight enjoying this little two block town

Our friend Nevin found a fantastic vegan deli where we had their signature meal called Haystack Salad.  They had local fruits and vegetables that were practically harvested that morning.  This place was an unexpected treasure and I loved the freshness of everything and the friendliness of the people.

The deck behind our Best Western Plus hotel.  Thanks Richard for finding this place.

Approaching Idaho, The Day of the Gravel Pit

Dayton, WA to Lewiston, ID

49 Miles and then 

41 Miles Sagging

The hardest day yet. Lots of climbing, descending, walking, sagging, temperatures above 100 degrees, sunscreen, chamois cream, and wondering why I didn't realize this would be a hard ride. 

The store's name should have given me a clue. We were fortunate to be able to buy water here as all of us had used up the last drops we had and our SAG vehicle was lost. 

Enjoying the ride before the 1.5 mile steep climb up a gravel path, with temperature measuring 110 on my Garmin.   At least the scenery was beautiful as we walked up a good part of the gravel path. Here's a photo of Nancy making her way up. 

Finishing strong as some of our group near the Idaho border. At this point I was busy being super sag providing ice pops, ice water, sunscreen, sunglasses cleaning, photography, etc. 

Yesterday a Recovery Day, Today an Easy Ride

Walla Walla, WA to Dayton, WA

31 Miles

An easier ride with beautiful landscape.  Mountains coming soon so glad to enjoy today's ride.

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Making our way through Washington

Can you tell Im riding up a hill?

Historic Train Station in Dayton, WA

Washington's oldest active courthouse

Everyone Gets a Day Off of Work

Walla Walla, WA

Enjoyed a relaxing, although somehow very busy, day off in Walla Walla, WA. 

At a farmer's market in Walla Walla buying local produce for the next few days. 

I Did It!

Hermiston, OR to Walla Walla, WA

55 Miles

Today completed our first week of riding. It was a great ride to end the week especially since I felt like my fitness is returning and the ride was very enjoyable (translation - no significant climbing). 

Tonight is dinner at a local farm fresh vegan restaurant and tomorrow is our rest day. We will spend time servicing our bikes, organizing paperwork and arrangements, cleaning and re-packing the van and our supplies, etc. and maybe a little R and R. 

Who Knew Oregon and Washington had Deserts?

Goldendale, WA to Hermiston, OR

50 Miles

Today I was the first Sag driver, driving the van 40 miles through deserts along Route 14 in Washington. Quite an accomplishment for a person who takes car service from Milwaukee to Chicago. I even provided roadside watermelon service for our riders.

Shortly I will trade jobs and bike the rest of the remaining 50 miles of our route from Goldendale to Hermiston, OR. Can't wait to get back on the bike.  

Not Much to Say Except, Wow!

Hood River, OR to Goldendale, WA

30 Miles

These photos say it all about today's ride along the Columbia River Gorge 

between Oregon and Washington

Powered by Google

Portland, OR to Hood River, OR

30 Miles

Thanks to my surprise visit from Jon, not only are we following a route created on Google maps but I'm wearing my great Google maps jersey.

Today's ride was probably one of the most beautiful we will experience all summer. Today was breath taking so of course that meant climbing but the views made it all worth it. We passed rivers, gorges, waterfalls, and at the highest points the most beautiful vistas.  We stopped multiple times for photos and roadside surprises such as the on your honor cherry and berry stand. 

Figured out the Difficulty vs Breathtaking Factor

Longview, WA to Portland, OR

60 Miles

So today's ride was pretty but not breathtaking. However, what we lost

in breathtaking vistas we made up in ride ability. The 60 miles from Longview to Portland were fairly flat and we cruised along in a 5 person pace line with the wind at our backs.  So I guess if we don't ride up mountains and down valleys life can be bland although easy. So we will look forward to the peaks (who am I kidding) and the valleys of our ride just as in life.

Dipping our Toes (and Wheels) in the Pacific Ocean

Seaside Beach, OR (the Pacific Ocean) to Longview, WA

60 Miles

This is the start of BBBRAA today. Five hours or so later after 3500 feet of climbing we arrived in Longview WA. I wonder why I didn't realize this would be a hilly adventure?  

Tomorrow up bright and early for another "day at the office."

Leaving for Summer Camp

Our BBBRAA Jerseys

Bikes in Jimmy's Trailer

Loading the Wheel and Sprocket Van

Loaded Up and Ready to Go

At first light of day we loaded bikes, packed the trucks, organized food, water, energy products, documents, maps, took photos, and now we are driving out to the coast to begin our BBBRAA ride. Great send off from Ali, Ina, AJ, and Harvey and I totally teared up seeing the sign they made for me. 

A Very Special Day in Portland

The surprise of the day was a visit from Jon who flew up from San Francisco to spend a few hours and wish me well on my journey.

As if that wasn't enough we visited VooDoo Donuts and stocked up on this local favorite and then I was able to arrange for "Lunch on Us" from Veggie Grill in Beaverton OR.  The lunch

was vegan, delicious, plentiful, and free for our BBBRAA group meeting and send off dinner. Thank you Veggie Grill and looking forward to your opening other locations closer to home.

Shake-out Ride

Getting ready for a short ride to check out our bikes (and legs) after their journeys by trains, planes, and automobiles to Portland.

I then spent the day with our family and Ali's friend Michelle. She took Ali, Harvey, Ina, AJ, and I to a berry picking farm. It was really hot and we went in the hotel pool when we got back. This was a great start to what will be a great trip. 

Arrived in Portland Today

Up, up, and away.  The first leg of our journey.  Flying to Portland.

We've arrived, yay! With Nancy, Suzanne, and Nevin, my new best friends.

Exploring downtown Portland and its famous vegan food trucks and visiting Herbivore, what a great store.  Loving this great start to our great adventure.  Being joined by Ali, Harvey, Ina, and AJ for the sendoff weekend made it do much more special. 

My Bags are Packed, Im Ready to Go (Sound Familiar)

Today we spent hours packing the van (okay, watching the van get packed - thanks Julian, Chris, Pete, and Nancy), organizing paperwork and route maps (thanks Mary and the W & S administrative staff), finalizing lodging arrangements (thanks Richard), trying on our new BBBRAA jerseys (thanks Amelia and Tessa), and psychologically and physically getting ready (thanks to all of my supportive family and friends).  This trip wouldn't have been possible without all of you.

My duffel is the one that is open to show my color coordinated, neatly labeled, packing squares.  How long will that organization last with packing and unpacking almost every day for 60 days????

My best bike ever is all settled in and comfy cozy for the long ride to Portland OR

Chris, Mary, and Pete will be driving the van and meeting those of us who are flying 

and our Texas contingent in Portland, OR on Friday, June 28.

America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride

Training for and participating in America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride (AMBBR) was an integral part of my preparation plan for BBBRAA.  However due to the herniated disc that I suffered this spring my training was minimal at best and nonexistent at worse.  Tahoe is a difficult ride under ideal circumstances but without training, for most people it would be impossible.  And so it truly was a miracle that I completed 56 hard and hilly miles of AMBBR around Lake Tahoe on June 2, 2013 riding as part of Team in Training as volunteers for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  Together Rob and I raised almost $15,000 this year and the commitment I felt to those who contributed to our fundraising and those who will benefit from the funds raised was what kept me going.  So not to say that I'm a superwoman or anything, but on June 2, 2013, I did achieve something super.  Im not really sure how, other than knowing the reason I was riding gave me the power to keep pedaling forward and the confidence to know Ill be ready to bike across America beginning July 1, 2013.

At the finish, yay me!