Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Eugene Oregon
Aloha,
Well we are in Eugene Oregon just about 65 miles from our final destination and the dipping of the front tire in the Pacific Ocean. Amazing I am pretty much speechless and can't really give you any words right now but they will come.
So, this past week was tough I had a few moments of why did I torture myself. Eastern Oregon is a desert with Mountains way off in the distance we knew we had to climb through and around those mountains and they were spectacular. We have put in alot of miles in the last week trying to stay on our schedule we are on schedule.
Yesterday we had our last climb of the ride over Mckenzie Pass at 5300 some odd feet, it was a slow progression of about 16 miles. We left out of Sisters Oregon not knowing if we could get through the pass as the road was closed to all traffic when you get to the top and want to continue west. I told Ted let's just go! We did and we saw some other bikers they liked this road as not much car traffic and no cars at all after mile 9 to the top. They are doing major road construction. We cruised along and had a steady climb, I just kept thinking this is it no more climbing after this one. We got to the top and were stopped by the road construction guy and he said do you want to go over the top yes was my answer he said you can't I told him we would wait until you guys were done because I was not going back down and around the other way. He said ok, then go over there and wait with those other boys you will see those other boys in my pictures. We did and what an amazing area it was like being on the Big Island all mixed in with the Lava rock. We thought we were going to have to wait until 5pm to go down the other side but the sag wagon for the boys showed up on top with an escort vehicle, the Mom of one of the boys got a report that her sons bike was broken, but I think it was a ploy to get them down. so I went over and said if they are going we are going to, and he let us know that he could not say Yes as the road is closed and advised us to go back the other way. So we all left and had a most beautiful ride down about 11 miles of pure virgin forest of Oregon. What a ride! We made 89 miles last night and found a place to eat and sleep. We got up this morning and only had to ride 30 miles Ted and I were both happy about this as we are a little tired. Then all of a sudden a Van passed us and it was Fabian and his wife, telling us to pull over. We did and we met them for lunch. Fabian is the Guy who rode with us in the beginning and then his knee went bad. It was so fun to catch up with him and to meet his wife amber. We are now holed up in a hotel room here in Eugene resting and preparing for our last 65 miles tomorrow. It's Florence or Bust! So I will write again when we are finished.
So until then keep the rubber side down and enjoy the Ride,
Lisa
Well we are in Eugene Oregon just about 65 miles from our final destination and the dipping of the front tire in the Pacific Ocean. Amazing I am pretty much speechless and can't really give you any words right now but they will come.
So, this past week was tough I had a few moments of why did I torture myself. Eastern Oregon is a desert with Mountains way off in the distance we knew we had to climb through and around those mountains and they were spectacular. We have put in alot of miles in the last week trying to stay on our schedule we are on schedule.
Yesterday we had our last climb of the ride over Mckenzie Pass at 5300 some odd feet, it was a slow progression of about 16 miles. We left out of Sisters Oregon not knowing if we could get through the pass as the road was closed to all traffic when you get to the top and want to continue west. I told Ted let's just go! We did and we saw some other bikers they liked this road as not much car traffic and no cars at all after mile 9 to the top. They are doing major road construction. We cruised along and had a steady climb, I just kept thinking this is it no more climbing after this one. We got to the top and were stopped by the road construction guy and he said do you want to go over the top yes was my answer he said you can't I told him we would wait until you guys were done because I was not going back down and around the other way. He said ok, then go over there and wait with those other boys you will see those other boys in my pictures. We did and what an amazing area it was like being on the Big Island all mixed in with the Lava rock. We thought we were going to have to wait until 5pm to go down the other side but the sag wagon for the boys showed up on top with an escort vehicle, the Mom of one of the boys got a report that her sons bike was broken, but I think it was a ploy to get them down. so I went over and said if they are going we are going to, and he let us know that he could not say Yes as the road is closed and advised us to go back the other way. So we all left and had a most beautiful ride down about 11 miles of pure virgin forest of Oregon. What a ride! We made 89 miles last night and found a place to eat and sleep. We got up this morning and only had to ride 30 miles Ted and I were both happy about this as we are a little tired. Then all of a sudden a Van passed us and it was Fabian and his wife, telling us to pull over. We did and we met them for lunch. Fabian is the Guy who rode with us in the beginning and then his knee went bad. It was so fun to catch up with him and to meet his wife amber. We are now holed up in a hotel room here in Eugene resting and preparing for our last 65 miles tomorrow. It's Florence or Bust! So I will write again when we are finished.
So until then keep the rubber side down and enjoy the Ride,
Lisa
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Montana Idaho Oregon Pictures
State #10 Oregon, we are so excited to be here!
Anyone for a little climbing?
This is what you get after the climb
One Cow
Ok, so maybe you would prefer to go down hill?
Pete and Rita riding up the first climb of the day, it was a long day 80 miles.
A waterfall right off the side of the road
Riggins Idaho, How this for a perfect camping spot?
Dirk and Nancy
A Little more character building.
the Bikes are up to no good while we have breakfast.
Chris from Adventure cycling dawning his mojo beads prior to our big climb of the day.
Just the river, but I liked the way the sun came in.
More pretty Idaho scenery.
The bridge
Lochsa River in Idaho
Cruising along the Lochsa River 87 miles of this can you imagine?
Went through Idaho and are in Oregon State #10
Aloha Everyone,
My apologies for not keeping up so great with the blog but you know how I am. Ted's blog is fantastic so check it out if you can.
We went through Idaho which is absolutely beautiful and the water is so awesome. Had some road construction to cruise around which worked out really well as we bicyclists got to set the pace for the pilot car so the others had to follow us, then we would have about a half hour in between without any cars bothering us. The Idaho land is stunning, we went through the whitewater capital of Idaho and saw the rafters have a blast, someday I will be back here to enjoy the land for a longer period of time. We got to go 87 miles down hill you talk about fun, Ted says he was getting alittle bored but I wasn't, it was so nice not to have to worry about saving my energy for the hills just floating along and enjoying the scenery. Ted and I met up with Dirk and Nancy they are my previous Bosses and second family, we always say I am their middle daughter. They spoiled us with Salmon and Steak mmmm it was so delicious, we got our laundry done and had a bed to sleep in, then in the morning they actually took us the whole route. Thanks Dirk and Nancy you are Da Bombs! We got to visit and I got to see all of their animals they are so cute. On Sunday we crossed into Oregon our 10th and final state of this trip by tomorrow we will cross over 4000 miles on our bicycles, I can't believe it. I am having a hard time grasping next week this time I won't have to ride my bicycle. I have so enjoyed this journey of a lifetime, I have met so many wonderful people along the way. It has been really neat to come across other cyclists and hear their stories of where they are going and why. I do have a special empathy for those college graduates who have no money and are forced to camp everynight. But hey they are young, me I Love the creature comforts of having dry clothes and a nice warm bed to sleep in with a coffee maker at my disposal. After a few nights like 4 or 5 I am ready for the motel. I have said enough for now I will give you some pictures to look at.
Until next time keep the rubber side down and enjoy the ride,
Lisa
My apologies for not keeping up so great with the blog but you know how I am. Ted's blog is fantastic so check it out if you can.
We went through Idaho which is absolutely beautiful and the water is so awesome. Had some road construction to cruise around which worked out really well as we bicyclists got to set the pace for the pilot car so the others had to follow us, then we would have about a half hour in between without any cars bothering us. The Idaho land is stunning, we went through the whitewater capital of Idaho and saw the rafters have a blast, someday I will be back here to enjoy the land for a longer period of time. We got to go 87 miles down hill you talk about fun, Ted says he was getting alittle bored but I wasn't, it was so nice not to have to worry about saving my energy for the hills just floating along and enjoying the scenery. Ted and I met up with Dirk and Nancy they are my previous Bosses and second family, we always say I am their middle daughter. They spoiled us with Salmon and Steak mmmm it was so delicious, we got our laundry done and had a bed to sleep in, then in the morning they actually took us the whole route. Thanks Dirk and Nancy you are Da Bombs! We got to visit and I got to see all of their animals they are so cute. On Sunday we crossed into Oregon our 10th and final state of this trip by tomorrow we will cross over 4000 miles on our bicycles, I can't believe it. I am having a hard time grasping next week this time I won't have to ride my bicycle. I have so enjoyed this journey of a lifetime, I have met so many wonderful people along the way. It has been really neat to come across other cyclists and hear their stories of where they are going and why. I do have a special empathy for those college graduates who have no money and are forced to camp everynight. But hey they are young, me I Love the creature comforts of having dry clothes and a nice warm bed to sleep in with a coffee maker at my disposal. After a few nights like 4 or 5 I am ready for the motel. I have said enough for now I will give you some pictures to look at.
Until next time keep the rubber side down and enjoy the ride,
Lisa
Sunday, July 26, 2009
We are in Montana The Treasure State
Aloha Everyone,
I'm here I'm here, it's been a tough week trying to find internet access or just having enough energy to actually write something. The scenery is gorgeous some of the prettiest places I have ever witnessed. The Tetons, Yellowstone and Bitteroot area of Montana. Everyday last week we had atleast one climb to do with most days having 2 climbs, these mountains really take a toll on the legs along with the wind. The reward is worth every moment of suffering. There is alot of land out here in the middle of nowhere and people leave their sprinklers on all the time so water is plentiful. I'm sure they leave the water running while brushing their teeth. I had an encounter with a big mean and ugly pit bull. 2 pit bulls came charging out at us and one of them bit into my shoe but he did not draw blood or break through my shoe. I am so thankful. We spent the night is Wisdom and I woke up feeling much wiser and alot colder. We have crossed over 3500 miles. It is starting to feel a little bitter sweet wanting to reach or goal and yet knowing this will be the end of one of those life time adventures. I think it was yesterday my legs were feeling really tired as we were climbing at 4.5 mph and this beautiful soft gentle breeze came up from behind us and gave just the perfect amount of push to make the climb a little easier and I broke out in tears, tears of joy and thanks. We only have 3 more maps to accomplish. tonight we are in Missoula and tomorrow we will go to Adventure cycling headquarters and get out picture taken, they are the ones who made the route possible and they will add us to their wall of fame. Trans America 2009 Ted and Lisa.
It's almost 10pm so I gotta go to bed, but until next time keep the rubber side down and enjoy the ride.
Lisa
Friday, July 17, 2009
Wyoming
We are off to see the Wizard, Oh wait we are not in Kansas anymore. I'm pretty sure I would cry if we were still in Kansas. Wyoming is the Real Wild West. this place is rugged and unforgiving. There is alot of scenery beautiful, green, red, and brown mountains everywhere. The winds here make Kansas look like a kindergardener. I can just imagine if you got stranded out here it would not be long for the vultures to start circling you and the cowboy would walk up to you and look at you without a lot of mercy, like how could you be so dumb to actually ride your bicycle across wyoming don't you know this place is Wild. We can see the Tetons out in front of us, tomorrow we will be doing our second highest climb 10, 000 plus feet. Today we are climbing just under 4000 feet and it's gonna be hot. So if you want to know this isn't vacation. I have been suffering at times but loving the whole journey. I have always been one to push limits in my own suttle way. With that being said I would much rather go to the spa today I am just trying to put off the 77 miles we are doing today. Are any of you available to pick us up in the next 20 minutes, ok ok maybe just keep us in your thoughts and send a little energy our way and safety too.
Until then enjoy the ride and keep the rubber side down,'
Lisa
Until then enjoy the ride and keep the rubber side down,'
Lisa
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