Chapter 10

Chapter 10

 

 

Bay Center to Astoria 

 

9th September 2008

 

 

Those biting insects fair made a mess of me yesterday. I was up half the night tearing at my arms and legs with a hundred bites. I look like the elephant man this morning. 

Anyway, blagg a cup of coffee from my 'support team' and get ready to head for Astoria and the crossing of the Columbia river. 

It’s a short enough spin of about 40 miles today, mostly flat but with a few hills too. It’s a cold damp misty morning, not raining - just one of those days you hang out your clothes to get wet. 

I think I need a pampering, my clothes and me, are all smelling of wood smoke after the campfire last night. I head off into the misty morning and it’s an uneventful trip down to Astoria. 

 

 

 

But then, you come across the hill and you see the Great Colombia River. Stretching for miles. Heading on down the hill and away in the distance I can see the Astoria Bridge. ..wow! what a sight. Awesome! Five to six miles long. I'm looking forward to seeing it up close.

A few of the Canadian group are here waiting when I arrive and we have a good old catch-up about things while we are waiting for the rest of the crew to arrive. 

We intend to stay together for safety, with the support wagon behind protecting us from the following traffic. It’s a good plan. It’s a single carriageway road with a small shoulder and no concession to cyclists. We are just part of the traffic. Heading off in single file with a welcome following wind and we fairly bowl along. Not hanging around. You get no sympathy here. This is a working bridge. I’m struggling to keep in the pace line, fully loaded as I am, and they have no bags to carry. But I have to hold my place there is no room to drift out and drop back.  After four miles there is a vicious kick up for the last mile followed but a fantastic downhill off this great concrete turnpike which flies you into the city of Astoria. What a ride!!!. Couldn’t get better at Disney.

Beautiful picturesque Astoria. If you have seen the Goonies, that was shot here. I find a motel for the night that has a washer/dryer. I got some balm for my legs and arms to get some relief. I’m really reacting to these bites. 

 

 

 

 

When I’m organized I head up town to see the place and get a look around. There is a lovely waterfront with hundreds of basking seals. Lots of ship activity on the river too and some nice restaurants.  Another great day.

 

 

 

 

Comments:

Piroska said: Great to read your progress! This "staying in a motel" bit is a temporary fancy, I hope. To cross the mighty Columbia with the bike group must have been fun and certainly loads safer. Eager to read your progress and your impressions of Oregon. –Piroska

 

Geraldine said: Shame on you John G, Larry Grayson 'shut that door' fame! Your hat must be too tight. Travelling by bike is obviously the recommended mode for enjoying the wonderful sights along the pacific coast. Your final approach to Astoria wheee!! Fun or what? Keep the narrative going big lad, its great xx

 

#1 Son (Sean) said: Hotel, pool, pina collada versus tent, wood smoke and mosquitoes. Know which one I would choose. Can’t believe how far you have travelled, well done.

Mary said: I am enjoying reading about your trip. I have noticed that your beer belly is gone; the exercise is doing you good! I hope you enjoyed your fish dinner, nice hot bath and a warm comfortable bed. Love x

 

A

Thanks Geraldine and Mary, I’m keeping well

 

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