The Playas, Vistas and V8s of Oregon – Day 2

Date: Saturday 7th August

Route: Netarts, Oregon – Monmouth, Oregon

Distance: 90 miles

Total climb: 4649ft

Net climb: 210ft

A few mentions first… a big thank you to the wonderful Helen and the wider ‘Team Robinson’ back in the UK, for their continuing support of the trip.  Whispers of bunting in Yorktown have been heard (to be handmade by Helen), which certainly sharpens the focus just two days into this.  In addition, I’d like to dedicate today’s section of the challenge to Helen’s friend, Katie Paine, who tragically was a victim of meningitis.  Katie’s family have been very supportive of our trip and fundraising efforts.  I’d have loved to have met Katie and I understand she was quite a fan of the US (in particular Florida), so thoughts went out to her today.

On to the ride…

We finally left the Pacific coast behind and headed inland, with the scenery changing from sea views and sea frets to corn fields and rolling hills.  The temperature is also noticeably rising.  We’ve spent most of today on major roads, having to deal with the constant roar of V8s – they are in abundance and are somewhat fun to ride around in, but hard on the nerves and the ears as a cyclist.

The roads remain fairly good and the climbs gradual, which means we get some long downhills – a great incentive on the way up and nothing like the steep stuff we’ve trained on in the UK.

Noteworthy matters from the day:

–          ATVs riding on sand dunes 800ft up in the hills away from the coast.

–       Our first crash into each other, going uphill, leaving Jay with one, now-repaired mud guard.

–          Fat Freddy’s cafe in Pacific City, sadly closed.

–          My intake of poached eggs on a muffin and then a ‘short stack’ for brunch.

–          Jay’s consumption of a salad, a chicken burger and fries and a pie for early afternoon tea.

–          Jay’s booking of a hotel with a swimming pool for the evening, in Monmouth, Illinois.  We were staying in Monmouth, Oregon.  This was a slight downer after racing the final few miles into town, but I’ll shortly be using my mask and snorkel in the shower of this substitute, Comfort Inn

–          Kenny Loggins playing live at a Casino in Grande Ronde – quality travels, especially when Playing with the Boys

–          Maintenance – brake alignment for Parkes and seat adjustments for Stockham

–          Growing levels of ‘badger’ incidents

–          J’s 99 Grill in Monmouth, where we will shortly be heading for an evening meal

Time for some recuperation and the evening routine of washing, maintenance and watching sports channels on the tv – a must for this evening, given that we nearly ended up with nowhere to stay.  Saturday night in Monmouth is no Blue Bell at 8pm.

FP