Time flies!!

Well, here it is the 26th of September and I have not posted for a while. So here is an update.

On the weekend of the 12-13 we had a simply fantastic overnight ride from Abingdon, VA on back roads to Marion, VA, through Saltville, where we visited a fascinating local museum, ate lunch, and then rode on for Marion, coming over Little Walker Mountain (very steep for 3 miles!) and into the back of Hungry Mother Park. We stayed overnight at the Francis Marion Hotel which is quite delightful, despite the small rooms. We locked our bikes in a building next door that is under renovation and belonged to the hotel.

There were 10 of us, 8 riders and two spouses driving the SAG/luggage vehicle. After a delightful dinner with the group, some specialty beer tasting, led by Ben, we turned in, ready to sleep after the 56 mile 4,000' climbing day. Sunday was another gorgeous day and we returned to Abingdon via Rt. 16, past the MT. Rogers ranger station, down towards Troutdale, VA, and then 603 past Fox Creek, the horse camps, Konnarock, and down 58 to Damascus where we had lunch at our favorite place, "In the Country". It was then on to Abingdon on back roads I had never been on, just an all around lovely trip, totaling 120 miles.

Thanks to Bob of Kingsport Bicycle Association who put the route together and did a wonderful job on cue sheets, hotel, meals, AND weather! We had a great time and were glad to be invited to join the group.

The next weekend, the 19-20th, Graham and Morgan came to visit and go to Rhythm and Roots Reunion Music Festival here in Bristol. We had a blast and Morgan seemed to love the music! I sure loved going with her.

I am over all my injuries from my fall in Astoria on the next to the last day of my long ride except for the thumb which will only be totally better when the nail grows back. It is still really sensitive but the bone is healed now.

Ben and I have been picking raspberries non-stop and getting a gallon about every other day. We now have over 24 jars of jam and at least 3 quarts of sauce made. It makes the best sauce for ice cream and/or cake and is the most requested dessert at my home!! I will be picking berries and making jam alone until October 4th as Ben has gone to Cycle North Carolina which starts in Blowing Rock, NC tomorrow. It has poured rain, nearly 2", all day so I am totally ready to ride tomorrow if the roads dry out. I wussed out on the half century I was going to do today with a friend in Johnson City as I did not want to ride in the rain, remembering the bad fall I took just three weeks ago on wet roads. I think I made the right decision!

FInished my letters!

Happiness today! I finished writing all the thank yous for my fundraising! That was really a job but I am thankful for all the wonderful donors to Hospice during my ride.

Here is the latest update:

This ride $19,700

The total for the 3 year, 3 ride, 7800 miles is, drumroll, over $87,500

I am so thrilled with the support I have gotten. Thanks again to everyone.

Thank you!

I have received so many calls and emails asking how I am, and I am doing fine! My thumb will just have to heal on its own time and the soreness of my right elbow, shoulder, and leg will go away when it is good and ready. The ding on my head is slowly healing in.

It was back to the real world today as I did a huge grocery order to prepare for the upcoming Labor Day weekend. Graham, Sherri and Morgan are coming tomorrow morning and Ben's sister and one of her sons will arrive tomorrow night. So, I am cooking and getting ready for that.

I visited Hal today, my favorite bike shop owner and let him know of my bike's arrival soon, (I hope), and of its wheel out of true and a bent spoke. Once that is done, I will be good to go and hopefully ready for next weekend's rides. Back to work...

Last day of the month post for Hospice

As in the past, I have made my plea for donations to the Wellmont Hospice House on the last day of the month. Since this is primarily a bicycle journal, I have no intention of pleading for funds. Today might (!) be the last one you will hear as my ride is over but I am still hoping to make my goal of $32,000. It is a long way off. However, I never give up hope and think that there are some of you who might have delayed your donation until I was finished or until the journal was finished! My total as of today is $18,545 and I have two checks totaling $120 in my hand to mail.

I am delighted with the support of friends and family who have supported me so well. Thanks to everyone who has supported the Hospice House in honor of my Northwest Loop Ride.

Y'all have a great day, now!!!

Portland, OR to Bristol, TN

Well, I am home, feeling much better and so very happy to be here with my dear Ben. I flew to Atlanta which had the airport closed for a while before I arrived due to thunderstorms. When I arrived the airport was like the Sunday after Thanksgiving. There was not a seat in the place and passengers for dozens of delayed or canceled flights waited in lines to appeal to gate agents for flight status and standby possibilities. I patiently waited when I realized that there were two flights to TRI before my scheduled flight at 11 PM, hoping to fly out earlier. The gate agent actually changed my flight for free and then the wait began, and the gate changes started, and the times changed, and changed again. Finally, I was on the plane and arrived in Bristol at precisely the time I was supposed to arrive without any changes, midnight. Also on the plane were my neighbors, Steve and Alice, returning from a hiking trip in Wales, their friends, another doctor and his family from here, and an oncologist from Abingdon! I think I have never been on a plane back to TRI without knowing someone.

We gave Steve and Alice a ride home and I dropped into bed for the best sleep in 30 days. It will take me some time to get all my thanks yous out but I do so appreciate all the emails and notes regarding my fall. I will be back on the bike in a few days and enjoying it as much as ever and planning the next adventure.

Thanks for tuning in. My blog will be staying up as it is not just a trip blog! I report on some other trips, too, so stay tuned if you wish for other updates. I will certainly have a donation update in the next few days.

Astoria, OR to Portland, OR

Miles: 103.4
Total miles: 1491.6
Climbing:3578’

Well, I can’t say that I had a very restful night. There was not a comfortable position that did not either entail lying on a sore spot or rubbing on an abrasion. The mist and rain out of the window did not make for a very easy decision about whether to ride or not. The helmet issue was already resolved…the glasses cut my head and the helmet was not broken. I would wear the helmet rather than trying to use a borrowed one from someone not riding in the rain. Usually, the rule of thumb is that if a helmet is in any sort of fall, it gets replaced. This one was examined by several people as well as me and my peace of mind relied on using my own fitted, sized helmet. The tour leaders recommended a new helmet but I had neither the bike shop for buying a new one nor the will to wait until it opened.

We started from Astoria a bit after 7 AM as it was dark, misty, and not a great cycling day. I had gotten up early to bandage my thumb and head for the long ride ahead. My elbow seemed to be the sorest thing on me and it was increasingly bruised and ugly! So off Kathy and I started, with Astoria fading in the mist and Portland in our gun sights!

For me the ride was one of endurance more than anything else today as I definitely did not feel my best. Within eight miles, we entered a “no-car” kind of area where only support vehicles for the Hood to Coast Relay Run could drive! That was great for us...no traffic to worry about in the same direction as we were riding. The relay consisted of teams of 12 who began the run on Mt. Hood the day before and were to run 197 miles in 4-8 mile blocks, depending on the terrain, to Seaside, OR. We had seen the preparations yesterday! For the next 40, yes FORTY, miles, we passed runners on the road going the opposite direction, over 12,000 of them. Their support cars were on the other side of the road, humorously decorated with all kinds of signs, stuffed animals, blow up mannequins, and other hilarious items, all to support their teams. We passed tent cities, feed zones, water trucks, and port-a-pots, which we used, too! We and our support vehicles were the only ones allowed on the roads going toward Portland.

Several people asked if we were having a relay! I wished! Others asked why we EVER scheduled a ride on the same day as the relay, but they did not realize it was the last of a 30 day ride of 1500 miles!! Some of the runners wished us well as we climbed steep hills, and they were running down, and we encouraged them as we were riding down and they were running up! We were all enjoying our own sort of misery (or fun?) in the mist and intermittent rain. What a day! But, all the activity kept us interested, (and my mind off my various aches of the day!) and definitely very alert, as runners approached the relay points. They had to take off a bracelet and pass it to the next runner on the team. We had to pass through these points numerous times during the day. There was very little to see in the rain but the forests were lush and green! I took very few pictures all day as the effort to stop and get the camera out of the dry bag was more than I could do.

We finally met up with our first SAG stop at mile 21 at the top of a big climb and she had cookies made by Linda as a surprise for us. Amazingly, the organizers of the race allowed our van and trailer on the road as about the only vehicles on the road! Kathie and I caught up with them at mile 40 where I ate a peanut butter sandwich and refilled my water bottles. I was doing ok and Kathie was staying close by. It was possibly my last opportunity to SAG into Portland in the van but I chose to ride.

The runners kept us on our toes but the downhills were hard for me as the roads were wet and I could not shift into my big ring due to thumb issues. Coasting down the wet roads worked out fine. There were way more hills than I expected, though!

Later on, the sun began to creep out a little bit, and then we had some more showers. I looked for rainbows as I sign that I would be able to finish but none appeared. However, this bicycle made me realize that I could finish! I don't know why, but I just figured it was a sign!!!

The Golden Bike

It was a very mixed day of rain, mist, and a bit of sun. There were 17 miles of busy road riding before the final five miles into Portland with multiple turns and cues!

The most welcome sign of my life, with 5 miles to go!

Anne and Kathie, my ride partner arriving in Portland

Kathie and I rode into town with Barb S. and when we arrived at the Marriott, Ken, Kathie’s husband was there, and Barb’s family (with three granddaughters) was waiting. Our bikes were a mess with mud so we cleaned them up and I rode to the bike shop for shipping. Ken drove several of us back to the hotel where I got everything packed up!

The banquet was delightful, but always a bittersweet moment for us all. There was a wonderful meal followed by the riders telling something about themselves that no one knew, and then any other comment. The overwhelming thoughts were that it was the best group any of us had ridden with! I wholeheartedly agreed and thanked all those who took care of me after my fall! After the meal, we went back to the room, where I was with Barb S, the last woman I had not roomed with during the trip. We both agreed that the group could not have been more supportive of each other and more friendly. I fell into bed, awaiting the early wake up call for the WomanTours shuttle to the airport.

Astoria, to Portland

Miles: 103.4
Total miles for trip: 1491.6
Climbing for today: 3578'
Total climbing for trip: 63,843

Well, I did it. I rode the century. Never mind that I could not shift into my big chain ring all day because of my left thumb, and never mind that my thumb was a real pain (literally and figuratively) and that it rained and misted for half the day. I made the 100 miles (plus the 3 to the bike shop to get my bike packed and shipped) Kathie was great and rode with me all day. It took me 7 hours and 41 minutes of ride time. I sure was glad to get there.

Our banquet was last night and I am now at the Portland Airport trying to finish this before I board. If not, I will try to post pictures when I get to Atlanta tonight where I have a three hour layover.

Thanks for all your support and comments. Thanks for all your donations. I will give a report later regarding my totals.

Manzanita, OR to Astoria, OR

I took a fall today, after I had arrived in Astoria, riding on a bike path and fell on some wet trolley tracks that crossed the bike path. I am ok but may not be able to ride tomorrow. I will reserve judgement until the morning. Remember that helmets are good things to have on your head when you fall!

Sorry that I have no narrative today, but I just can't get it up. It may be a day or two as we have a 100 mile ride into Portland tomorrow. I will be shipping my bike if I get there by 6 and then have a banquet tomorrow night. I will be flying home to see my wonderful husband on Sunday!

THanks for all the wonderful comments and donations. I hope to have an update by tomorrow afternoon.

Again, I am fine, just a bit bruised up. My precious Tifosi sunglasses are broken beyond repair! I wore them faithfully for 2 1/2 years! Oh well, I can replace them!

Manzanita to Astoria, OR

Miles: 47.0
Total Miles: 1388.2
Climbing: 2960’

Today started out fairly nicely and the sun actually peeked through enough to get a nice beach shot.

Early morning, only sun of the day, from Manzanita Beach

The only sun we saw today!

Our route took us out onto the treacherous 101 where we had an early morning climb out of Manzanita, but some beautiful views. The climb was up the western shoulder of Neahkahnie Mt, 1661 feet high. It was one of the highest points on the Oregon Coast.

View of Manzanita from Highway 101

Later, we passed through a tunnel where cyclists push a button to activate flashing lights so that motorists know that there are cyclists in the tunnel. I also had the flashing lights on my bike and on my helmet. Fortunately we had no traffic come in behind us.

We entered Cannon Beach, named for the ship “Shark” which was captained by Lt. Howison, USN. It was shipwrecked in 1846 and the cannon washed ashore, thus the name of the town. This was a very touristy, quaint little town, but we enjoyed seeing the Haystack Rock. It was 235’ above the low tide line and was the 3rd largest coastal monolith in the world. It was quite impressive on this misty morning. Many birds make their homes on this rock, including two kinds of cormorants, murres, guillemots, oyster catchers, and puffins.

Haystack Rock

We wove our way slowly through the to a glass shop which just HAPPENED to have a quilt shop next door which just opened! Several of us went into each place. I must say that it was one of the nicest shops I have ever been in, with lots of samples, patterns and books. The fabrics were bright and arranged so well. It was a delightful place to visit as well as having friendly women working there. I guess that is true for most quilt shops I have visited in my life! Of course, they were very interested in our ride and warned us of the Hood to Coast Relay which we will ride through tomorrow! That should be interesting!

Back on to 101, we headed to Seaside OR which was a very popular ocean destination. It was absolutely hopping with activity.

Bright flowers on a dreary day in Seaside, OR

I was delighted to get off 101 and onto a bike path to go the length of the town. The homes were lovely and the bike path separated the homes from the dunes and beach which were a long walk from the path.

Bike path in Seaside

The flowers were gorgeous everywhere we looked. In the middle of town was a statue to Lewis and Clark who had their winter camp nearby. There was also a monument to their Saltworks operation in Seaside. The men worked around the clock for nearly two months during the winter of 1805 to turn 1400 gallons of sea water into 4 bushels of salt for the return trip to the Missouri River where they had supplies cached. They also used it to season meat that was spoiling before they could eat it during the long winter at Fort Clatsop, their western location prior to their return East.

Lewis and Clark Expedition, Saltworks operation

Lewis and Clark Statue in Seaside

That statue was the end of a WT bike trip, the Lewis and Clark ACA bike route, a few years ago and several of the women who rode that trip were on this one. Funny that they said, "oh we should take a picture of this because we will never be here again!" ...and here they were, back at this same place!

At that location, a huge tent city was being erected, as well as bands' platforms, food stalls, massage tents, and the finish line for the Hood to Sea Relay race, to finish tomorrow at this location.

Poster for the Hood to Coast Relay which starts tomorrow

Finish line for the Relay

It was a ZOO in town and it was just starting to mist so we rode on after a nice stop at a little bakery for a snack. The ride was nice, on rolling hills and with much less traffic for a while. We made a stop at Fort Clatsop, the camp where Lewis and Clark lived in 1805-1806 during the winter. The visitor’s center was very nice and we watched two twenty minute movies, hoping the rain, which had begun in earnest, would decrease so that we could enjoy the fort itself. Since that did not happen, Kathie and I decided to ride on in to Astoria, about 9 more miles. We suited up in rain gear for the last bit of riding.

Those nine miles were tough with mist and rain and a bridge where we had to press a button to warn motorists of bicycles on the bridge (same thing as the earlier tunnel). The roads were busy but we had a good shoulder/bike lane. The last two miles were very difficult in the rain and traffic and we were very glad to see the Holiday Inn on the river!

After checking in, the rain stopped and I decided that the bike path right outside our window would be a great way to go to downtown Astoria to see the sights, so I ate my trusty PB&J in the room and started out for a ride to downtown. Kathie decided to take a shower and relax, later taking the trolley to town. I should have done that, too. The trolley crossed the same bridge as the bike path and you had to look for it before crossing the bridge, which I did. I knew the wooden bridge was wet and slippery so I did not even clip into my pedals. At the end of the bridge, I had to cross one of the tracks onto the paved bike path. It was then that my rear wheel went out from under me and I found myself on the ground. There was a young boy right there asking if I was ok, and I was, mostly. I did not get knocked out, but hit my head (helmet on) and my cycling glasses broke and that was what cut my head. I bruised my hip and elbow but was otherwise ok, until I looked at my left thumb! How it got injured I will never know but I lost part of the nail right out of the middle of it. My head had a large knot on it!

So, I walked my bike back to the hotel, which was about 100 yards away and got ice from the cooler in our van. I went back to the room, and was immediately taken care of by my wonderful roommate, Vickie V. who called one of the nurses in the group to come take a look and see if I needed an ER trip! No way I was going to the ER!! They would say I hit my head and needed all kinds of tests. Besides, I knew that the date was 1968 and the president was George Washington! So, with no clean margins to stitch up on my head, Mary, another nurse in the group went to the drug store to get some first aid I could have with me for the rest of the trip. WT had lots of supplies but not wanting to clean out their box, Mary fixed me right up. Thanks to all those angels of the day, especially Mary and Karen, a former hospice nurse!! My thumb seemed to be the biggest issue for me. But, I am fine and god-willing, will ride tomorrow.

So, I never got to see any of Astoria, much to my chagrin! I guess I will have to do a Transamerica ride sometime in the future, because that is where the route starts!

Bridge from Astoria, OR to Washington State, right outside my hotel window

The nasty tracks which reached out and grabbed my bike today

Rest Day, Manzanita

Miles 3.1
Total 1341.1

It has been a great, lazy rest day. It was very foggy and did not clear off until about 3:30 PM and we walked through the small town shopping and I updated the blog. That takes alot of time!

Dressed up warm for the very cool morning off

Nancy B thinks WT should have this pup as a mascot

After lunch and when it was starting to get sunny, Ramsey and I took a nice long walk on the beach.

This water is FREEZING!

Next I cleaned my bike and super glued the holes in my tires. The are so beat up from the rides, especially on 101! I also adjusted the brakes and the wheel appears to be a bit out of true. Nothing I can do about that myself! I took a test ride down to the end of the town, about one mile and checked to see if all was well. It was then that I saw a coyote crossing the road. I have been very lucky seeing wildlife.

The day was nice and I am going for a final walk on the beach! Good night.


Another gorgeous sunset at Manzanita, probably my last on the West coast for a long time