Hello to whoever is reading, I hope you are doing well and are getting some exercise. The last time I wrote I was probably going to be done with my trip, and now I am writing to tell you that it is for certain that my trip has come to an end. I recently came back to Bismarck, ND via the Amtrak which was pretty neat experience since I had never riding it before. I want to thank the people who left comments on here for me and supported me will being on the road, your encouragement meant a lot to me and helped push on through the tough days. I don't want people to think that I didn't have fun or enjoy my trip, because I did. There were days that weren't always the best, but because of that I have a greater respect for weather, my body, my bike, and travel in general. I hope that some of posting may have inspired you to travel by bicycle, whether it's to the store, or to the next town, or to Portland, because you can travel by bicycle all you need is a bike and the journey starts with the first pedal stroke. Well theirs some blah blah rambling for you. But seriously thank you for traveling with me I am grateful for your support until the next trip, have fun, be safe, exercise and stay healthy.
P.s. There are some of the last photos I took at the ocean that I posted on my Picasa site, enjoy.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Ah yes, hello to all of you who are paying attention. How have you been? I hope everyone had a nice fourth of July weekend. I spent my 4th of July riding from The Dalles, OR to Cascade Locks, OR, it was one of the hottest 4th's that I can remember near 100 degrees in the north central part of Oregon.
Well the last time a had wrote I was in Lewiston, Idaho since then I have traveled about 350 miles. When left Idaho I entered Washington State in Clarkston which is the in very south east corner of the state. This area of Washington is very hot and flat and hot did I say hot. It took four days to get the some 230 miles to go through that miserable area. On what would have been my second to last day going to Washington, I was stopped for lunch in a very small town of Roosevelt, with nothing more than a small Mini Mart. With the lack of eating options was eating chips and salsa, and drinking Gatorade, when I was asked "what are you thinking riding out here is this temperature", at the time of question the thermometer was reading 107. I politely answered I have know idea. I looked up from my delicious dinner and here was this giant of a man and belly to match, with terribly accurate Arkansas accent. With a tone of sarcasms he offered me a ride up the road, and before he could turn around I said " sure how far are you going" he looked at me, expecting me to say no and said " oh um 30 miles" I was all over that like white on rice. As it turns out this Southerner had name of Larry and a wife Stephanie who was also with him so after they got off work 15 minutes later they picked me and my bike up and hoisted it up the flatbed of his truck and headed towards Biggs, Or. Not only did the nice Southerners give me a ride and they also offered me a place to stay for the evening very generous people. The next morning they had to go up the road twenty miles to an auto parts store, so in all I traveled 50 miles with them and it really helped. I was really hoping to get to Portland by the 5th so I could be able to see some friends from Minneapolis who were out here and so with that 50 miles I did by gasoline power it helped me get to see them before they left.
My last stretch to Portland from where I was dropped off in The Dalles, OR I had 85 miles to go. I was really hoping to get there in the one day since that day was the 4th of July, but it was to darn hot and beautiful to work that hard. So I stayed the night in Cascade Locks I watched the fireworks by myself and went to bed. I woke up the next morning and rode the next 45 miles to Portland in 3 hours. I was happy to get to a house of some sort again.
Well I have been out on the road traveling for about 7 weeks now and I will be honest I am getting tired of the whole process of getting up and riding all day by yourself and then hanging out with yourself at night and then repeat the process everyday. So things may change but as it sits now I will probably be done with my trip in the next three weeks or so. I know it's a bummer but that's kinda how it goes.
I will be writing again before you see me so this isn't the end yet, I am going to be riding out to the ocean on Monday and will travel the cost for a little while. I pictures I am posting are of the thermometer and of the truck transport and then one of Multnomah Falls which is about 30 miles outside of Portland.
Well the last time a had wrote I was in Lewiston, Idaho since then I have traveled about 350 miles. When left Idaho I entered Washington State in Clarkston which is the in very south east corner of the state. This area of Washington is very hot and flat and hot did I say hot. It took four days to get the some 230 miles to go through that miserable area. On what would have been my second to last day going to Washington, I was stopped for lunch in a very small town of Roosevelt, with nothing more than a small Mini Mart. With the lack of eating options was eating chips and salsa, and drinking Gatorade, when I was asked "what are you thinking riding out here is this temperature", at the time of question the thermometer was reading 107. I politely answered I have know idea. I looked up from my delicious dinner and here was this giant of a man and belly to match, with terribly accurate Arkansas accent. With a tone of sarcasms he offered me a ride up the road, and before he could turn around I said " sure how far are you going" he looked at me, expecting me to say no and said " oh um 30 miles" I was all over that like white on rice. As it turns out this Southerner had name of Larry and a wife Stephanie who was also with him so after they got off work 15 minutes later they picked me and my bike up and hoisted it up the flatbed of his truck and headed towards Biggs, Or. Not only did the nice Southerners give me a ride and they also offered me a place to stay for the evening very generous people. The next morning they had to go up the road twenty miles to an auto parts store, so in all I traveled 50 miles with them and it really helped. I was really hoping to get to Portland by the 5th so I could be able to see some friends from Minneapolis who were out here and so with that 50 miles I did by gasoline power it helped me get to see them before they left.
My last stretch to Portland from where I was dropped off in The Dalles, OR I had 85 miles to go. I was really hoping to get there in the one day since that day was the 4th of July, but it was to darn hot and beautiful to work that hard. So I stayed the night in Cascade Locks I watched the fireworks by myself and went to bed. I woke up the next morning and rode the next 45 miles to Portland in 3 hours. I was happy to get to a house of some sort again.
Well I have been out on the road traveling for about 7 weeks now and I will be honest I am getting tired of the whole process of getting up and riding all day by yourself and then hanging out with yourself at night and then repeat the process everyday. So things may change but as it sits now I will probably be done with my trip in the next three weeks or so. I know it's a bummer but that's kinda how it goes.
I will be writing again before you see me so this isn't the end yet, I am going to be riding out to the ocean on Monday and will travel the cost for a little while. I pictures I am posting are of the thermometer and of the truck transport and then one of Multnomah Falls which is about 30 miles outside of Portland.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Idaho
Hey everybody how have you all been? Well I am in Lewiston, Idaho which is on the western border to Washington state. I have had pretty good weather since I last wrote, everyday has been at least 80 degrees so that's been a real treat.
I had a pretty good time in Missoula, MT, I was able to visit the Adventure Cycling Association which is a non-profit that promotes bicycle touring and is the maker of the maps that I am using. I met a few guys at the local brewery and played disc golf with them, the course was pretty amazing it was right in the Blue Mountains just west of Missoula. That evening while trying to sleep in a city park I was rudely awaken by the sprinklers at 3am, I was only in my sleeping bag ,which ended up getting wet. I was up then trying to dry out my sleeping bag, I fell asleep at about 5 and not to much later I was awoken to some kids trying steal my bike, they didn't get far since it weighs 2 million pounds, interesting night.
On Friday the 26th I started out from Missoula, MT and from there I slowly climbed up Lolo Pass which is only 5,235 feet which is a lot I know but, small compared to the Continental Divide which sits another 1,000 feet higher at 6,375 which I climbed a week earlier. The difference was that Lolo climbs for 50 miles and the Divide climbs for 8 miles. At the peak of Lolo Pass is the border between Montana and Idaho it's a beautiful area with a ranger station and rest area. The trip down the other side of the mountain was pretty amazing, the view was wonderful, forest for as far as the eye could see. I camped that night in Powell Junction a nice camping area 13 miles into Idaho, it was nice after all this traveling to be able cook supper over a camp fire. The next morning I traveled west following the Lochsa River through the Clearwater National Forest the most amazing 65 miles I have ridden yet, every turn was another beautiful view of the river and forest in every direction. I have several new pictures posted on my Picasa site http://picasaweb.google.com/longhaultruckinmatt/BikeTrip?feat=directlink I had to make a new album so here that one too http://picasaweb.google.com/longhaultruckinmatt/BikeTrip2?feat=directlink. That evening I camped in Lowell tiny town of 26 people. Today I did my first 100 mile day of the trip from Lowell to Lewiston, it was a pretty good day considering it was 90 degrees most of the day, my legs started to cramp up at around mile 90, but water cures all.
Well that's it for awhile tomorrow I head into Washington state I have about 100 miles to get to Walla Walla, Washington. From there its about 200 miles to Portland, talk to around the 6th of July.
I had a pretty good time in Missoula, MT, I was able to visit the Adventure Cycling Association which is a non-profit that promotes bicycle touring and is the maker of the maps that I am using. I met a few guys at the local brewery and played disc golf with them, the course was pretty amazing it was right in the Blue Mountains just west of Missoula. That evening while trying to sleep in a city park I was rudely awaken by the sprinklers at 3am, I was only in my sleeping bag ,which ended up getting wet. I was up then trying to dry out my sleeping bag, I fell asleep at about 5 and not to much later I was awoken to some kids trying steal my bike, they didn't get far since it weighs 2 million pounds, interesting night.
On Friday the 26th I started out from Missoula, MT and from there I slowly climbed up Lolo Pass which is only 5,235 feet which is a lot I know but, small compared to the Continental Divide which sits another 1,000 feet higher at 6,375 which I climbed a week earlier. The difference was that Lolo climbs for 50 miles and the Divide climbs for 8 miles. At the peak of Lolo Pass is the border between Montana and Idaho it's a beautiful area with a ranger station and rest area. The trip down the other side of the mountain was pretty amazing, the view was wonderful, forest for as far as the eye could see. I camped that night in Powell Junction a nice camping area 13 miles into Idaho, it was nice after all this traveling to be able cook supper over a camp fire. The next morning I traveled west following the Lochsa River through the Clearwater National Forest the most amazing 65 miles I have ridden yet, every turn was another beautiful view of the river and forest in every direction. I have several new pictures posted on my Picasa site http://picasaweb.google.com/longhaultruckinmatt/BikeTrip?feat=directlink I had to make a new album so here that one too http://picasaweb.google.com/longhaultruckinmatt/BikeTrip2?feat=directlink. That evening I camped in Lowell tiny town of 26 people. Today I did my first 100 mile day of the trip from Lowell to Lewiston, it was a pretty good day considering it was 90 degrees most of the day, my legs started to cramp up at around mile 90, but water cures all.
Well that's it for awhile tomorrow I head into Washington state I have about 100 miles to get to Walla Walla, Washington. From there its about 200 miles to Portland, talk to around the 6th of July.
Monday, June 22, 2009
It is almost July right?
The only reason I ask is because it's 50 degrees and raining here in Deer Lodge, MT. I decided to sit today out since it was just to miserable outside, I am at a RV park there is a lot of traffic but, it's pretty quiet thankfully. Last night it rained for 8 hours my tent wasn't thrilled nor was I, the north facing side of my tent started to leak a little but it wasn't bad that's were all the rain was hitting. Everything was dry by 9 am until it started raining again for 3 more hours and then again most of the day so far. The rain is very frustrating, its not when your riding that its bad but, but when your camping and waking up and its down pouring rain and you have to tear everything down wet, that's whats frustrating about the rain. So that's why I have will have spent 2 nights here at this RV park in Deer Lodge, MT. Thats all I have to say about the rain in Montana in late June.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
It's been awhile!
Well some of you know that my first major stop on my trip was going to be Bozeman, MT, well I made it here awhile ago on June 3rd. Since I have been here I have gone up into the mountains about 4 different times its been a real blast hanging out here, everything has been green and beautiful. The photo attached is of Palasade falls just south of Bozeman about 9 miles. I am getting anxious to get riding again I will be leaving Bozmeman on Thursday, June 18th and I hope to be in Portland sometime around the 4th of July but we'll see. I am posting a link to my Picasa web portfolio this site has all the photos that I have taken since I started my trip. http://picasaweb.google.com/longhaultruckinmatt/BikeTrip?feat=directlink
I hope you enjoy them and keep looking because I update that more than this.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
My Bike
I have been riding for 10 days now and my legs are getting stronger and are able to deal with the increasing elevation, but my bike has been strong and ready since day one. I am riding a Surly Long Haul Trucker the frame is made of cromoly steel heavier then an aluminum frame but the ride quality is much nicer. I'm riding wheels that I built of course the front wheel is a old Sun Tour Super Be hub laced to a mavic A719 with double butted spokes and brass nipples. The rear is a Hope Pro II hub laced to a mavic A719 with double butted spokes with brass nipples. The wheels have been holding up well, not a bit out of true. My racks are made by surly also made of cromoly steel again heavier but if they were to break much easier to find someone who can weld steel over aluminum. My panniers which are stuffed with to much stuff are made by Axiom, they are 100% waterproof which is a nice feature. My drive train is 9speed shimano pretty standard, I'm using a mountain triple crankset which has a 22-32-42 ring size I wish that I would have had a bigger middle ring but its ok. Everything on the bike has been holding up real well haven't had any issues other then 2 flats. I'm riding a Bontrager race lite hard case it says it has triple puncture protection I have a tire liner just in case but, some how I got a flat in the rear getting into Billings. The front tire is a Nokian tour guard tire with a nice tread pattern and some how again it got punctured by glass oh well that's how it goes. Well there's a little bit about the bike and some of the equipement.
BIllings
Well I'm here in Billings, MT I last wrote from Miles City, from there I rode to Forsyth on Sunday. It was pretty good riding since I got into Glendive I've been riding interstate 94 which has been awesome except for 2 flats that I got from broken BUD LIGHT bottles which liter the sides of the roads. Forsyth had a beautiful spot by the Yellowstone river which I sat at for a while. I slept in Custer, MT on Monday night the town of Custer has about 150 people and I saw maybe 10 of them while I was there, very quiet with a decent city park.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Montana
Well I haven't posted for a couple of days no internet, but I'm here in Miles City, MT now. I crossed into Montana on Wednesday I camped in Fairview, MT. I was able to sleep in their city park, it was really nice and quite I even had police drive by protection. I made it to Glendive, MT on Thursday getting into Glendive the elevation is starting to increase. On Friday I made it to Terry, MT I slept in the city park there. I really like sleeping in city parks its quite and the police know your there. Getting into Miles City was a lot of climbing and hot, no wind so that was nice. Its hard to keep motivated out there alone but, its getting better.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Good day off
Hey everybody today is may 27th I spent yesterday in Minot, ND with my aunt and uncle and cousins it was a nice break after that brutal wind. Then on top of having a day off, my uncle dropped me off about 100 miles west on his way to work totally awesome it is a huge chunck of flat, straight, boring road. I made it into williston, ND today around 1130 am take a little break at the always McDonalds. I am gonna try to make to Montana today its about 36 miles from here. There will be a few disc golf courses that I am gonna try to play in the next couple of days. Im gonna post a few pics, the pictures with sign and flash are my roadside treasures and then this morning I found an Ipod its broke but still fun. Well thats it I hope everyone is working hard and riding their bikes.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
brutal head wind
Today started out pretty good as left this morning I saw a group of Native Americans who were doing a 250 mile walk for diabetes. They started asking me question as to what I was doing and they were excited for me and so they prayed and for safe travels and then burned rope incense to cleanse me it was pretty neat not an everyday event. As I headed north I was bucking a 2o mile head wind for 40 miles it was just brutal I was averaging 6 miles and hour for that 40 mile section. I finally made it Minot, ND were my aunt and uncle live it was great to have a steak dinner and shower after the 5o degree day.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
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