Two guys, a girl and the Oregon Coast

It wasn't always this way. I had biked for a few days more than four months, over 7,000 miles by myself, across nearly 25% of the United States. And then, just like that, it all changed. Chris arrived in Portland as planned, and a scant two hours later, after using the supplied bike stand at the Portland Airport, we were on our way to drop off Chris's stuff so we could explore Portland and get some biking in. We hit a local brewery before Chris said we had to go somewhere his girlfriend told him about. We got there, and I saw nothing of any importance until a rude biker biked by me to close and said sorry. Turns out, I knew this biker. Yes, seems I didn't get up early enough that day as a fast one was pulled on me and Christine secretly came out to Portland too to bike for about a month with us down the Pacific coast. We therefore became the 7 Foot Gang. Another day biking around town, getting last minute supplies and tweaking our rides, and we went to bed early with bike touring dreams in our head.

We left Portland via the light rail to avoid riding in the urban area surrounding town and the traffic. We got off at the end of the line and jumped on the highway west, and then south before leaving to make our crossing of the coastal range which stood between us and the pacific ocean. A tough first day for my new mates as it was hot and sunny and a whole lot of climbing, but they we certainly getting into it quickly. We made camp at the top of the summit and talked about the next day of hitting the coast.

Hit the coast we did, with Pacific City being the first stop on our coastal route.  we lunched and enjoyed the salty sea air before heading off and camping for the night.  A day of head wind and 80 miles had us tired and sleeping early.  But we meet up with the German again, and our threesome became a foursome overnight.  

We have thus continued south along the coast with occasional routes that take us off highway 101.  When that happens, its very nice indeed as the traffic is constant, not always heavy, but non stop on the highway and the little side roads are much nicer.  The terrain is up and down, with most climbs not too bad.  I find that somehow I end up in front of the group, stop for all to catch up, and then we continue on our way.  Being part of a group is much different than making all the decisions and choices for and by myself before.  I like talking about the day, what is upcoming, and just joking around at night in camp.  Now that I have been to the one place i needed to be at a certain time, Portland, I feel more inclined to simply bike and get where ever we get that day, it don't matter.  There's no fire.  

Every turn we take opens up another spectacular vista of rugged sea, rock islands with trees growing atop, birds inches from the surf cruising on the winds.  and there we are pedaling or freewheeling it, soaking in the sun when it shines, breathing in the fresh air, and loving it all, bingle by bingle of course.  

As always, head over to picasaweb.google.com/rossbikepics to see all the action.  With a growing sense of freedom and expanding capacity to love, keep pedaling.