VANCOMEX

Tuesday, 11 September 2012

11th September – Astoria to Pacific City

Early start at 7.30 as it was a 100 mile ride. We followed route 101 for much of the day, but were rewarded with some magnificent coastal views after some long climbs.

The Lewis & Clark expedition ended it’s Westward journey near Seaside in November 1805 and we found the memorial statue (see picture). We then pushed on to Cannon Beach on US101 and came to Cape Arch tunnel – an interesting challenge for cyclists! Basically, we had to activate the flashing signal which indicates cyclists are in the tunnel, turn on our lights, wait for a lull in the traffic and then pedal like mad!

After a 2.2 mile climb we then descended into Cannon Beach for coffee and met April another cyclist riding the Pacific Coast route with all her kit for camping.

After coffee we passed by Hug Point State Park, Oswald West State Park and then entered Tillamook County leaving Clatsop county behind us.

We passed through Garribaldi, Bay City and Tillamook (where we had a late lunch) before turning off US101 to do the Three Capes Scenic route. Ok, climbs, but there was also more magnificent Pacific Coast scenery – just what this adventure is all about. We also saw Sand Lake before arriving at our overnight stay at Pacific City.

We think this was our best day yet – a hard days cycling (153kms) but some really rewarding scenery.

Over 750kms done – wow! 25% of the journey completed and our bodies holding up ok (apart from Chris's bum - don't ask!)

Up at 7am tomorrow for another 100 mile ride!!

TWIT of the day was a close competition. Chris took an early lead by falling of the bike for a second time. He also lost his Garmin - but denies it - Maurice found in under the table during a coffee stop. Tim gave a good impression of a ballet dancer whilst dismounting and then took the TWIT lead by not drinking his second pint of beer during the evening meal. However, there was a delay talking to locals and Tim supped up. This reduced his points score leaving Chris as TWIT of the day. Well deserved.

A misty river not a hot bath

Memorial to mark the end
of the Lewis & Clark trail

A bad hair day for Tim

April – another Pacific Coast rider
but carrying all her kit with her – WOW!

Brian happy to be at the top of the climb

Cannon Beach – our coffee stop

Meet Jessie, the road maintenance lady.
We liked her until she said there was
a one mile climb when her sign turned
to go!

The climb was worth it – what a view.

Tim punctured – one of the few roads like ours in the uk

Maurice doing another deal on the phone
while Tim mends his puncture

Meet Elieh cycling the Oregon
coast carrying his gear on his back

Hadlow boys with an ocean view

Our finish for the day at Pacific City

Monday, 10 September 2012

Welcome to Tom's readers

Hi,

Welcome to all of Tom's followers. This is a serious challenge and Tom is not only riding well but has led the team the team through British Columbia and Washington states with great navigational skill. Please follow our progress and we would welcome any messages of encouragement and donations support to Tom's charity which is for such a good cause.

10th September - Kelso to Astoria

A slightly later start today at 8.30 due to shorter ride distance of 90kms. Previous days have been full-on with time only for cycling, eating, sleeping and blogging. Today we mostly followed IS 30, a trucking highway between Portland and Astoria, reputed to follow the Lewis and Clarke trail, the pioneering route from Central USA to the Pacific Ocean.

Early into the ride we crossed the Lewis and Clark Bridge, entering Oregon State and then did a stiff long climb which was worth it just to get the fantastic views of the Columbia River. This area is rich in history – Captain Robert Gray, Lewis and Clark and Captain John West (of John West Salmon notoriety) being the early pioneers in the 18^th / 19^th centuries.

The large trucks were often close to the cycle lane so we needed all our concentration on the road to stay safe. After the long climbs we were rewarded with fast long descents - we experienced the longest downhill section (nearly 7kms) we’ve ever ridden – magnificent but scary! There was always 'paybacks’ though after the long descents by further climbs – one a non-stop 650 feet climb. Our Bradley Wiggins sideburns are helping us to conquer them powerfully though!!

We reached our overnight stop at Astoria early at around 3pm so some relaxation time before heading out for dinner.

So, Leg 1 completed. At the hotel entrance there was an official handover of the route maps from Tom who has done a great job of navigating Leg 1 of the route to Tim who will be navigating Leg 2 (see picture).

Additional notes from Mr Rowe: During lunch Tom talked us through the history of a local ferry we could have taken. After waxing lyrically about the ferry for 10 minutes we agreed to take a short detour to visit it and were now keen to see it. Unfortunately, Tom charged past the turn off, so we missed the Ferry. One TWIT point to Tom!! We did make a detour to view the river – after 30 minutes and ready to go, Tom announces he needs the loo. As we're waiting for him to return the heavens open and we get wet – another point Tom! So Tom wins the TWIT of the day for the 3^rd consecutive day.

Brian sizing up bikes for old age cycling!

Our evening venue in Astoria - Fort George
Brewery and public house

Astoria bridge - now that's a proper bridge!

Long climb up but rewarded with great
views of the Lewis & Clark bridge

A damsel in distress - Scott, our driver, comes
to the rescue with his mobile phone

Magnificent views of the Campbell river,
justifying the 650ft climb to it

Now that's a load of logs!

Going across the Lewis & Clark bridge
outside Kelso

Official handover of navigator maps
from Tom to Tim for leg 2

British Columia state - tick
Washington state tick
Now Oregon

Team picture overlooking the Lewis
& Clark bridge

We drew some crowds as we entered
into Westpooint

Pushing on to Westpoint for coffee

Now that's a fair old tree trunk

Views of the columbia river from space -
well thats what it felt like after the climb

All you need to know about Captain John West

Sunday, 9 September 2012

9th September – Elma to Kelso

8.00 planned start time. At 8.05 Maurice notices he has a flat tyre! (making an early bid for TWIT of the day). Thankfully, whilst waiting for Maurice, we met up with Dave and Dennis, a couple of American buddies also cycling the Pacific Coast route. We exchanged a few stories of our rides. They are cycling on touring bikes carrying all their gear, including tents, on their bikes. It was very difficult to lift their bikes of the ground – not for us!

We eventually departed around 8.30am after Scott had repaired the puncture for Maurice. Crossed the Chechchalis river and stopped off at Rochester (a mildly more attractive town that the UK version) for coffee and blackberry pancakes and maple syrup – magnificent! We cycled to and then through Centralia around lunchtime and encountered our first nutcase driver who seemed to deliberately cut us all up – we stayed calm (all except for Tom) counted to 10 and moved on!

After 100kms we were all running low on energy so we stopped off for a very late lunch at Sandy’s Parlour in Toledo. This set us up for the last push to Kelso, our evening stop. Passed by the Lewis and Clark State Park and entered Cowlitz county. After Castle Rock we ended up at Kelso having done a total of 145kms in the day – our biggest ride so far which included several long climbs and periods of strong head winds. Further stress was caused by aggressive dogs chasing us whilst cycling through ‘Billy Bob’ country. We are all feeling a bit jaded tonight! (see stats page for more details).

A few pictures from today are below – they include a guy from Elma who has a pair of sideburns that puts Bradley Wiggins to shame !

Tomorrow we travel onto Astoria, Oregon – allegedly an easy day of around 60 miles, but with a couple of big climbs. We leave the State of Washington into Oregon with its famous coastline and Redwood trees.

Additional comments from Mr Rowe: Maurice made an early bid for TWIT of the day but was surpassed by Tom who changed his mind ordering milk shakes at least 3 times in less and 5 seconds at our lunch break. This caused the waitress (Sandra) re-writing the whole order for all of us. He later did not confess to his crime and was justly awarded further points which won him TWIT of the day – this is now for two consecutive days. Will he make it a hat-trick tomorrow?

Dave cycling the same route as us but carrying all his gear
on the bike - WOW!

Dennis, cycling the Pacific coast with Dave.

Meet Robert Paul from Elma - eat your heart out
Bradley

The Chechchalis River

Chris with Elvis in Rochester

'Big Cog' Brian pushes on

Pulled over bu the Sherriff - fortunately not us bikers!

Our best effort at a peleton

Brian - the keeper of the 'yummy bears' - US equivalent of jelly babies

Another long climb

yummy bears handed out - a maximum of 2 bears per rider!

Chris loves his bike - he's now taking it to bed as well!

Maurice punctured before we even start day 4 - TWIT nomination for the day

Coffee and pancakes at Rochester

Saturday, 8 September 2012

8th September - Silverdale to Elma

Earlier start today at 8am. Around 10.30 we stopped off at a Starbucks in Bremerton for coffee and met up with Rod and his partner who were on a little motorbike tour and then entered Mason County. (picture below)

After lunch at 12.30 we passed through Shelton – known as Christmas Town USA because of the large number of Christmas trees grown in the area. Shelton was not memorable for anything other than its surrounding pine trees. There were several long inclines to climb today, but only two steep sections. Later in the afternoon we encountered strong headwinds, but thankfully these died down before the end of the ride.

We crossed from Mason County to Grays Harbour County and ended the day at Elma having completed 122kms.

The cycle lanes throughout our journey so far have been so good. We estimate that out of 350kms completed so far about 70% have had decent bike lanes. If only in the UK we had the space the states does!

Thanks for your interest in our ride – we have had 1417 page reviews so far. You can leave response comments on our blogs.

Additions from Mr Rowe: Our daily TWIT of the Day award ceremony takes place during our evening meal. After yesterday’s meal Tom who was ‘Keeper of the Kitty’ announced he had lost ‘Kitty’ Consequently, he was awarded several points towards TWIT of today. Nobody came close to catching him so Tom is today’s TWIT of the day. He has been ‘sacked’ and no longer holds the post of Kitty Keeper.

A few pictures from the ride below, including a Bradley Wiggins sideburn competition update. You can decide for yourselves who has the best sideburns!!