69 miles (Total: 3764.3) Avg Speed: 11.1mph Max Speed: 26mph
The saddle sores were almost completely healed this morning, its amazing how quickly they can crop up and just as soon disappear. We met Terry in town, he was just about to head out whilst Siemen was still asleep. Me and Wim took in breakfast before setting out into a sticky humid morning. Just as I mentioned how the atmosphere this morning reminded me of Kentucky we were chased by a large black dog. The owner called half heartedly for it to return.
The motel sign. Were me and Wim the grouches?
Siemen caught up with us at a store just before the border crossing and we went over the bridge into Oregon. How did I get here? I can’t even get my brain around the concept. When I think about Virginia it seems like a lifetime ago, another trip that happened 4-5 years ago. Cooper and Joe were people I knew but had not seen in years and the scenery and people were so different even I was a completely different person. I remember before the trip trying to imagine actually reaching Oregon but I somehow couldn’t picture myself doing it.
State No.10 - The Final State
Looks like western Idaho.
After a pit stop Wim and Jessica road on whilst me and Siemen kicked back before setting out into the late afternoon. A climb of several thousand feet began as I realised again how much I actually enjoy the climbs compared to flat country. The downhill to Richland would have been great if it wasn’t for my unbalanced back wheel so I took it easy and road the breaks the whole way down watching Siemen enjoy it zipping off into town.
When we showed up at the city park the rest of the gang had already set up camp and even began a celebratory dinner for reaching Oregon. The pavilion had a stage with carpeted floors, no need to set the tent up tonight, so we all slept out.
I enjoy climbs.
Richland, OR
Wim was pleased with his Trailer Park Boys style Wine glasses.
He was also quite pleased with his cooking.
Well earned.
The saddle sores were almost gone by morning — it’s remarkable how fast they show up and how fast they vanish again once they’ve made their point. Terry was already halfway out the door, Siemen still dead to the world, so Wim and I took breakfast together and rode out into a morning so sticky it reminded me of Kentucky before I’d even finished saying so out loud. A large black dog took exception to us almost immediately, its owner calling it back with about as much conviction as I’d have mustered.
The motel sign. Were me and Wim the grouches?
Siemen caught us at a store just short of the state line, and together we rolled over a bridge into Oregon — the tenth state, the last one. I couldn’t quite get my head around it. Virginia felt like something out of another life, Cooper and Joe like people I’d known in a different decade, and the country itself had changed so completely underneath me that I’d changed right along with it without noticing. Before the trip started I’d tried to picture myself actually arriving here. I never could. Now here I was, unable to picture much else.
State No.10 - The Final State
Looks like western Idaho.
Wim and Jessica pushed on after a pit stop while Siemen and I lingered before setting out into the late afternoon, straight into a climb of several thousand feet that reminded me all over again how much more I love a mountain than flat country. The descent into Richland should have been a joy, but my back wheel had never fully forgiven me for something, so I rode the brakes the whole way down and watched Siemen disappear into town without me, clearly having the better time of the two of us.
Sixty-nine miles put us past 3,764 for the trip, and the rest of the gang had already made camp at the city park by the time we rolled in, a small celebratory dinner already underway for reaching Oregon at last. The pavilion had a stage with carpeted floors, which settled the tent question for the night — we simply slept out under it.
I enjoy climbs.
Richland, OR
Wim was pleased with his Trailer Park Boys style Wine glasses.
He was also quite pleased with his cooking.
Well earned.
5 comments from 2010
Well done Rye, cant believe you made it! x
epic. have loved your blog!
Looking good on the climbs Ryan
State No.10... EPIC!
great adveture, well done enjoyed reading, beautiful scenery,best wishes for next trip.