Crew’s Log…
Mileage: 75 miles
Climbing: 3150’
Weather: Cloudy, upper 50s to start. Warmed to the 70s. Crystal clear skies. A real beaut it was!
Highlights of the day:
Jim, head mechanic, started off our day with an ABC Quick Check review. All the bikes went through a safety check at registration but this time it was the riders checking their own bikes, learning what should be checked regularly on a tour of this duration. Simple checks performed on a regular basis can help find small issues that might arise. Small issues caught early can help avoid more major repairs. Less major repairs keeps bikes, riders, and mechanics happy (and safe)!
The route took us further up the Columbia River, and into the Cascade Range. We skirted Portland on a series of bike paths, including a wonderful run between the river and East Marine Drive. There are villages of floating houses on this stretch of the river. Not houseboats exactly, but little two story houses, often with one-boat garages and extensive gardens, that happen to be afloat and moored to floating walkways. We came off the bike path and into Blue Lake Park for our second SAG stop.
From the city, we started our climb into the foothills of the Cascades. Traffic lessened and we were treated to vistas of the Columbia River, lush green hillsides, Dr Seuss trees and amazing vistas of Mt Hood. Did I mention it was clear today? Crystal clear. Stunning views of Mt Hood. One rider explained that he kept stopping to take pictures because each vista of the mountain kept getting better & better. He did eventually make it into the hotel.
Just about all the riders had lunch in Sandy at Calamity Jane’s, a cowboy themed restaurant featuring enormous hamburgers and yummy shakes. I think we made their weekly nut or at least filled their coffers quite nicely. Our day ended at a resort hotel. We will definitely enjoy being spoiled for one night.