abadoki

Well, ready or not, I leave Saturday for my Big Ride. Going to pedal from Seattle to San Francisco, our route will follow the Pacific Coast. I'm both excited and worried, have I trained hard enough, or have I trained too much. Guess I'll find out soon enough. I miss the board, as I'll be gone for 2 weeks, I'll try and catch up with whats happenin' on the 2 rest days, and will post my weight, if I can find a scale, on the weight loss challenge if I can.

See you all when I get back.

Jeff

jm01

Enjoy

Ride safe...

p8rider

Good Luck!!
Remember, enjoy the ride.

big john

Don't worry, just ride your own pace and don't push too hard. The 3rd day is the hardest. Take something to use as chamois cream. You will adapt and want to go on for weeks.

stonecrd

Awsome ride, post some pictures

leob1

Lucky Bast***!

Good Luck, and enjoy the ride!

webist

I'll be thinking about you. Have a good ride. I'm subscribing to this thread so I won't miss your reports when you get back.

jppe

Best of luck!! We'll be looking for a full report with pics!

CrossChain

And don't forget a large slice of pie on that middle weekend. I'd say you'll have made at least 15 miles by then LOLOL. Seriously, have a safe, great, memorable trip...and then share all details and pics with us "armchair" tourists.

cruzMOKS

Have a great trip. Don't forget to post photos.

genec

I would love to hear your post ride impressions of the route, state by state.

Or as the teachers used to say... compare and contrast the ride state by state. Pay particular attention to the signage for cyclists.

roccobike

Best of luck and safe journey.

cyclintom

Keep an eye out for old coggers in motorhomes.

I'll be leaving Sunday for the next leg of your trip - San Francisco to Santa Barbara.

will dehne

Well, WE of the 50+ BF wish you the best and will look forward to your trip report.

oilfreeandhappy

Happy riding. Get some good pix to share. Is this a real "rough it" trip with camping, etc. Is there a sag vehicle? Regardless, have fun!

abadoki

Yes, it is a real "rough it" trip. There will be about 40 other riders and we will be staying in state campgrounds all the way to San Francisco. However, the ride is support by the American Lung Association of Washington. And they will be hauling our gear and will provide a sag vehicle has well.

We all raised funds for the ALAW, the minimum needed to participate is $2000. It was a real challenge for me to raise donations, but I was able to raise enough to go on the ride.

If anyone is interested in doing the ride in the future or in making a donation, here is the link to the ALAW website. Just click on the Big Ride Link and it will take you to the Big Ride Page, then click on Pacific Coast. If, you want to make a donation, click on Support a Big Rider, then click on my name. Jeff Silbaugh.

Thanks for all of your best wishes.

Jeff

www.alaw.org

abadoki

Well, the Big Ride is over for this year, and what a ride it was. We left Seattle early on Saturday morning, taking a ferry across Puget Sound to Bemerton, Wa.. The weather started a little wet, but as soon as we hit the first hill the rain jacket came off. We then rode along Hood Canal, wow was it beautiful. After we left Shelton, Wa., we hit headwinds all the way to Montesano, Wa. it made for a very long day. Total miles for day 1, 83.67. Day 2 started with a climb out of the park, and continued with lots of up and down, also included an additional 9 miles, "bonus miles", as I made a left instead of a right. And again we finished with a climb into camp. Total miles for day 2, 87.69, total for trip 171.36. Day 3 agained started with a climb out of camp, notice a pattern starting to develop. We entered Oregon today, crossing the Astoria bridge into Astoria, Or. This is a 3 mile long bridge with no shoulder and no sidewalk to speak of and left very little room for riding. But, we all made it safely across. There was lots of climbing and the hills never seemed to end, just when you thought you had reached the top, you would go around another corner or curve and the it just kept going up. But, I managed, to finish. I, also hit my highest speed ever on a bike and the highest of anyone on the whole trip, 53.7 mph, was that a blast. Total miles for day 3, 62.91, total for trip 234.27. Day 4 actually started without the climb out of camp, but that didn't last long. Today we climbed and climbed and then climbed some more. Started with the Three Capes Scenic Route, and it was scenic, but if you ever plan on riding this part of the Oregon coast, be prepared for the climbs. The last climb of the day was climbing Cascade Head, this is a 3 mile climb of at least an 6%, and I think it was more like 8 or 9%, but it was long and hard. We found out later, that if we had followed the Oregon Coast bicycle route, we could have avoided this climb. Total miles for day 4, 85.61, total for trip 319.88. Day 5 was a rest day in Lincoln City, Or. and boy did I need it. Still, I ended up riding a few miles down to finish doing some laundry. Well, I am in the process of setting up the pictures that I took on the trip and will post a link to them, as well as a link to my blog, all though I still have to update it. It's nice to be back home, but I feel like I should be riding instead. I had a great time and rode with a awesome group of people, this was my first long distance, multi-day ride and look forward to more. I will add to this post later, if anyone would like a few details about the rest of the ride. And as soon as I can resize some of the pictures, I will include some of them as well.

Mojo Slim

I'm anxious to see your pictures and a more detailed account. I have done the SF to LA AIDS/LifeCycle twice, and your ride sounds similar (albeit a bit smaller group). I sorta wanted another multi day ride and this could be it. Congratulations on your accomplishment, both personal and for the ALA. And arent' bike riders the best group of people ever?

capejohn

Remember to pack your camera.

SemperFi

Congrats on what sounds like an alltogether terrific trip and on your safe return.
Can't wait to see the pics.

NOS88

+1

cruzMOKS

I lived in Astoria Oregon 1982-84. I could see that bridge across the Columbia river from
my living room. I ran across it one year. During that time I had an Astro-Damiler (sp?) 10
speed. I didn’t ride it much. When I moved I gave it away.

It sounds like you had a great ride.