It's like riding in a postcard everyday!!!

Sorry I was not able to write yesterday, we did not have wi-fi in our hotel - plus yesterday was a long day and well worth it.  The ABB plan for yesterday was 117 miles with lots of climbing (and downhills).  The Sharon Griff plan was 80 miles so that I would bypass the first downhill - which actually even scared me driving in a car.  I left early and the first 15 miles sucked - it was freezing and windy.  To get me through, I remembered what Carolyn told me - SING.  So I belted out some Bon Jovi  to take my mind off of the cold.  Then things started to go up for 15 miles - we climbed to over 5000 feet.  After I hit the top, I took the SAG van to the second SAG stop which meant I bypassed the downhill and unfortunately also the next uphill - I definitely like the climbing.  So I started back riding on the second downhill and then rode till the end.  It was a gorgeous ride through the mountains and a canyon - see pics below. 

After yesterday everybody was really tired - we had done a lot of climbing and riding.  Knees hurt and butts are so sore I think everyone would have wanted a day off today - that was not the plan.  Today the plan was 81 miles from John Day, OR to Baker City, OR - and three more climbs over 5000 feet.  The Sharon Griff planned was to bypass the first down hill because that would be technical and long.  In order to do this I took the SAG van to the first stop which left me two climbs and two downhills.  I was really nervous all morning about this - both climbs were nice and over 5000 feet, the second one quite steep.  When I got to the top of my first climb, I took a deep breath, because I knew this downhill would be quite a challenge - steep, very curvy, and very long.  I went down - about halfway down all I wanted to do was stop.  I was terrified.  It was never ending.  At the bottom I said - "I quit, I"m going home" and Jeff, the leader who has taken me under his wing - said - "You did it!!!".  Then we climbed the next mountain.  At the top I stopped to get up the courage to go down again - and here I am!!  Tomorrow should have no terrifying downhills - we will ride on the Interstate - should be interesting but I should be OK to ride the full route - around 80 miles.

So now that we have been together a week, the honeymoon stage is over, and people are showing their true colors.  For us, certain topics are common, however, in real life it would not be something you talk about - for example, our butts.  They are sore and tender and we are all trying to figure out the best way to heal.  This problem has already put one of the riders on the SAG van for two days now.  (Just so everyone knows, while I ride in the SAG van often, it is not a common practice and most riders cringe at the idea.  Personally, I think the plan we have developed for me is splendid.)  We also had another rider leave the trip this morning due to a viral infection.  He will rejoin the group in about a week. 

We still have two more days of riding until our first rest day in Boise.  Hopefully our butts, knees and shoulders are up to the challenge. 

Finally, our group photo and individual pics of everyone on the trip have been posted - http://bamacyclist.com/BAMA/Photos_Group.html  .  Click to take a look...





Canyon



More canyon

Time to kill waiting for the SAG van

On the ride out from John Day - Satruday AM

Barb and I during Saturday's SAG ride - she is a history expert

Saturday AM

Saturday AM



More Canyon - look at the blue sky



A Day in the Life of Biking Across America

First let me start by saying we had a terrific day.  60 miles from Kan-Nee-Ta, OR to Prineville, OR.  The ride had two pretty big uphills and THREE serious downhills.  I did it all.  I still can't believe it but sometimes you just have to go for it.  The views were amazing.  We went from the desert to lush greenery with tons of farms and animals.  I rewarded myself with a cherry slush from DQ.  It was delicious.  I have never seen so many DQ's - there seems to be one at every turn around here. 

I thought it would be fun to share our daily routine with all of you - it's a lot more than just biking.  I'll start with what happens after in the afternoon, after we finish a ride.  I think this way it will make the most sense.

We all get in at different times - obviously fast riders get in the earliest.  Many times before our rooms are even ready at our next stop over.  Our luggage is transported from stop to stop so in the afternoon, whoever is here for luggage unload gets roped in - I am typically not here for this given my pace of riding.  Once we get in we are on our own for a bit - giving people time for laundry, catching up with home, eating, swimming, etc.  The very first thing we all do when we get in is shower!!  Sometimes we have been in areas with stores - like today we went to Starbucks - other times there is nothing around.  The mechanic team is amazing and every night we have a chance to bring our bikes down for repair or maintenance.  Then we typically have dinner and RAP.  RAP is when we go over the schedule for the next day - what time is luggage load, breakfast, mechanic time, and we review the route sheet.  The route sheet has step by step directions to our next stop and we also discuss what the hills look like and where there might be places along the way to stop for lunch.  During RAP, Barbara, one of our leaders, the mom to everyone, has a "Barbara tip time" - which I think I will save for another post.

By the time dinner and RAP are over, we are all exhausted.  I go back to my room and get all of my stuff out for the next day for me and my bike and then I repack my bags so they are ready to go in the morning.  I have been leaving about 45 minutes to 1 hour before the group so that I can get a head start - So I've been on the bike around 6:30 AM everyday.  In the morning we load our luggage in the van, have breakfast and head out.  Along the way we have SAG stops, which I just learned today stands for "support and gear" or "shit and go". Our mileage for the day dictates how many SAG stops we have.  Today we had 1, tomorrow we will have 3 for 117 miles.  At the SAG stops we eat (fruit, nuts, chips, etc.) and load up our waters and just take a break to chat before heading off to ride.  Then we do it all over again!!  It's a little bit like "Groundhog's Day" - And I wouldn't want to be doing anything else!

Day 3: Another amazing day!

We started the day with a 13 mile uphill ride, going from an elevation of 1500 feet to 4000 feet in Mount Hood State Park.  There was a little blip at mile 8 when construction crews told us that we would not be able to continue because of construction.  Within minutes, our ABB vans were there and all of our bikes were loaded on top.  We drove up past the construction about 2 miles.  Then unloaded and continued up the hill.  As I have already learned  - what goes up must go down.  In the first 45 miles of the ride we had 3 major uphills and 3 major downhills (each about 4 - 10 miles long) and I did them all.  I actually let myself increase my speed in most spots and I can say I enjoyed it.  My confidence is growing everyday and I can't tell you how amazing everyone is here - helping me, giving me tips and just cheering me on!!! 

At the end of the ride today there was a very serious downhill with major switchbacks.  My plan was not to ride that downhill so that I would not mentally freak out all day long so I rode down in the SAG van - which was pretty scary to me too.


The other really cool thing about today was that we started in the mountains - covered in snow and ended the day in a desert.  Unbelievable - see pics below.

Beginning of the Day

End of day

End of Day 2

Awesome day today after a rocky start yesterday

We are off and riding, plus getting to know everyone and starting a new routine.  Yesterday was Day 1.  69 miles from Astoria to St. Helens.  Well, as most of you know I have this very illogical fear of the downhills and Wow, they have massive uphills here.  What goes up must go down.  I thought I was going along pretty well, slow and steady, until mile 10.  We had a nice uphill climb and when I looked at the downhill, I said NO WAY!  Two of the trip leaders were with me and we tried to rationalize it for 10 minutes.  Unfortunately, I had very little sleep the night before because I was so worried about the downhill (that I mentioned two days ago) at the end that I was having a mental breakdown.  So I walked down the hill.  Then rode for another 5 miles with Jeff, one of our awesome leaders.  We did another great uphill climb and then there was the downhill.  After much discussion, I walked again.  It was pretty clear that if I continued at that pace I would be out there forever, so we decided that we would ride to mile 20 - I would get in our support van that would drive me to mile 50, so I would bypass the demon downhill that had me so anxious and then I would ride the final 20 miles.  As you can imagine, I never expected to be in the van on Day 1.  I was pretty upset and disappointed on so many levels and we debated my fate on the trip.  Then I had some amazing pep talks from good friends and I decided to see how today went.

Everyone here is so supportive.  Day 2 was 75 miles from St. Helens to Welches.  And today was the reason I took this trip.  We had a lot of diversity on the ride, starting with a 20 mile ride with tons of traffic on a very busy road.  Then we did close to 30 miles on a beautiful trail along the Columbia River.  The sun finally came out and it was wonderful.  Then we ended with 25 miles of rolling uphills.  Jeff rode with me on the final part to give me some guidance on the downhills.  There was only one that was really huge but I made it down (very slowly for 4 miles!)  What a difference a day makes!!!  I feel so much better and received so many cheers from my co-riders that my confidence is building. 

Tomorrow I'll write more about the daily schedule on the trip - things are beyond organized! Enjoy the pics below.



This is what a support stop AKA SAG looks like - tons of goodies





Morning luggage load on our first day



Mount Hood from our ride today

Lunch stop at Calamity Jane's.  Most of the riders came here.

One of our support vans.  We have three total.

This is the MOMENT...

and I am petrified!!!

Miles planned: 30
Miles completed: 34
Loads of Laundry: 1



Dipping my bike in the Pacific Ocean



Today was a busy day.  I got up early and rode to Fort Stevens State Park to dip my wheels in the Pacific Ocean.  I got a little lost (really I just did not follow the directions) so I ended up riding 34 miles instead of 30.  Not a big deal.  It was cloudy and rainy most of the ride - but very little wind.  So overall, one of the best riding days I have had this year. 



After having my bike on the beach it was a mess.  I cleaned my bike and then had our awesome and very patient mechanic, Jim, check out the brakes and gears.  Then I did my first load of laundry.  You might be thinking, you haven't been gone that long - laundry already.  Our luggage requirements were very strict - to the point that it has been a hot topic of conversation.  So laundry will be a regular activity.



My roommate for the next 50 days, Lucy Biddlestone





After that I finally met my roommate - Lucy Biddlestone from Brighton, England.  She just graduated from  university and this trip was a graduation present from her dad.  She is awesome and I think we will get along very well!



Then it was finally time for orientation and to meet everybody.  I was a bit surprised because many people came with someone, mother/daughter, brothers, husband/wife, friends, etc.  There is a significant age range from 22 to 71, with folks from all over the US, England, Canada and the Netherlands.  We have 35 riders riding the whole trip and about 15 who will join us for a week or so along the way.  There are 11 women.  I will have a group pic to share on Wednesday.



After introductions it was time to learn about our trip - and we spent a lot of time on logistics and safety.  We heard a lot of horrible stories about people who did not ride safely and follow the rules.  Then we had our first group dinner and our first RAP.  We will have RAP every night where we go over the schedule for the next day, the route, SAG stops, and all other details.  The review of the route tomorrow is what has me petrified.  Apparently there is a very fast downhill that ends right into crazy traffic.  My greatest fear.  So like Steven Loch said - it's OK to walk downhill. 

Our ride starts around 7:00 AM tomorrow.  All I can say is New Hampshire, here we come!!!!