This is by Bernie:

We woke to grey skies but at least it was not fog; in fact the skies soon cleared to a bright sunny day as we were now on highway 101 which was now more inland. It was also mostly freeway or dual carriageway as we would say it so we moved on pretty quickly. Continue reading Heading South in California →

It rained all night.  Well I say that not knowing whether it is true or not because it was raining when we went to bed, raining when we woke up and I think I heard rain when I woke in the night, but then again the sound proofing was pretty rubbish at the hotel (“rubbish” being a useful, British and general all purpose word for these occasions for our US readers) and so it could have been the people abve cleaning fish in the sink. Continue reading Last day in Oregon: First day in California →

Woke with proof that David was getting better. He woke at 5 and then at 8 and managed to get himself out of bed by himself both times.  Previously, having stiffened up overnight, getting him out of bed was a complicated manoeuvre of levers and pulleys, leaning my body weight to gently  raise him to vetical with as few yelps and yells as possible. Continue reading Day 3 on the Oregon Coast →

This is by David.

The find of the morning was the Green Salmon Bakery in Yachats,  which for those who are interested in these things is spoken with a silent “c” namely “Ya – Hats”.  This may be the only example of the “silent c” phenomena that I have encountered in over 50 years (although I must confess I have done one or two other things in the last 50 years other than look for words with a silent C, and so may have missed a few).   Continue reading Day 2 of the Oregon Coast →

I have let David do the last few days as he was the wounded party but there have been some requests to continue the blog – I see it as a travelogue and not just a cycling blog – so those only tracking the Sierra Cascades can leave this section out. Those wanting to check we haven’t done anyting else too foolish can read on! Continue reading Day 1 of a “normal” holiday →

 

The helpful doc confirmed the diagnosis of probable fractured but not displaced ribs, which will heal in time and bad muscle damage. He also gave a big thumbs down to carrying on cycling over mountain passes as an aid to recovery (which was pretty obvious after yesterday). Our ever helpful insurance company told us they would cover the medical fees but nothing else as I was not in hospital – so we are not coming home early at their expense!

 

 

Then Wayne and Doris Heigel (friends of Tom and Carolyn Sullivan of Windthorp for avid readers of this blog) who we were due to stay with in Bend, Oregan in a few days became the cavalry coming over the hill. They invited us to stay and heroically drove over to Goverment Camp to collect us. So we will spend the next week off our bikes, with part of the time with them and part exploring this wonderful part of the country without bikes, and fly back as originally planned. Such wonderful hospitality from the great community of cyclists is overwhelming but repeats what we have already experienced.

 

 

We still plan to come back in September to complete the ride – as we always planned – but will do so from Government Camp and not Klameth Falls as per the original plan. All that is if – and it is a modest if – my back heals as anticipated. However it is already showing signs of being better for not being asked to cycle up 5000 feet passes  – funny that!

This is written by David.  With my back muscles still objecting to any form of exercise we took a day off in Hood River.  It turned out to be a US-style version of Bewdley and hence an excellent place to while away a little time.  There is a river (the Columbia) which is a bit bigger than the Severn.  Well massively bigger in fact.  Water sports – here windsurfing and sailing on the river – and we have rowing at home.  Forests – the town is surrounded by forests just as in Bewdley.  Hills – well we have then in Bewdey but not as big as the mountains that surround Hood River, and in particular the wonderful Mount Hood.  And it had cool restaurants – maybe not as cool as the Vhujon but Hood River cannot have everything after all. Continue reading Day 14: Day off in Hood River →

This is written (mainly) by Bernie:   64 miles

I woke in our little wooden cabin to the sound of groaning and David saying he couldn’t move. His back had stiffened up during the night. A dose of anti-inflammatories and a helping hand up and luckily it loosened up although I felt a little uncertain whether he would make it cycling at all yet alone over the 3000 foot pass we had on today’s route. Continue reading Day 13. Swift Creek Reservoir to Hood River →

Day 12 :  74 miles and loads of climbing.

We have been asked to explain who the “I” is in this blog.  Well we are both contributing but also alternating.  So this “I” is David but it is Bernie whose bottom has been objecting to days in the saddle.  They all laughed at my old fashioned Brooks leather saddle but it has proved its weight in gold so far.

  Continue reading Day 12: Mount Ranier to Swift Creek Reservoir →

First good thing about today – we did not wake at 5.30 and in fact we slept in until about 7. We are both getting used to the tent as a place to live and can cope with the tiny space – and the fact that everywhere else has voracious mossies in large numbers. We are both covered in bites but there is little we can do about it, and it does little to detract from this adventure.

Continue reading Day 11: A sort of “Rest day” at Mount Ranier National Park with a walk to the Mount Fremont Lookout. →

Yesterday evening met Ellen and Ken from Oregon at the campground. Attracted by their ingenious small sleeping pod that they were towing we started conversation as seems so easy when camping. Before we knew it we were sitting by the campfire drinking red wine and eating chocolate. Liberal minded democrats they gave us further insight into the american nation and in return I hope we gave them some good tips on what to visit in London when they will be there for a few days later in the year. Continue reading Day 10. Windy Point campground to Mount Ranier. →