Whistler - Day 2

June 15th - Whistler

Today I once again went for a guided tour. This time there were three of us and I was considered the "experienced" one due to going down a couple of times the day before. This turned out to be quite inaccurate as both of the other cyclists had done a fair amount of cross country riding. As it was I was last next to the following guide. Since I was right in front of one of the guide it ended up being like a one on one lesson as he made suggestions most times we stopped. I was super stoked as every time he mentioned something and I started doing it upped the fun level substantially.

The mighty mtber

One of the best things was when he challenged me not to pedal for a good chunk of one run...as you may have guessed I was braking a lot and then would pedal to get back momentum. That run was great as I looked in front of me more which allowed me to brake early and feel comfortable through the curves. The runs after that had better flow though will need to do a lot more before I actually feel comfortable on those big burly bikes.

I did end up digging it once and then was chastised for not taking the right line ("Carissa, which one of these looks easier"..."um, not the one i chose").

By the end of the half day of guided tour I was tempted to continue for the full day (which would have been two guides and another girl) but my arms were begging for a brea

k. It would have been good fun but not worth hurting myself cause I'm exhausted and leaving with a bad taste. As it was I had a fabulous time in Whistler and understand why it is such a mecca for mtbing. The great thing about it is that it is still fun for beginners and women!! I'm sure it helped that I was with guides and that's their job but in general all the other cyclists were nice.

Also, during the ride we came down to see a black bear and cub grazing on grass about 30 feet from the track. We stopped to take photos and then road past them as they munched on lunch...quite a surreal feeling. I've seen many a black bear but never that close and on a bike.

Even the wildlife is judging my technique

The only bad part of the trip was the crap hockey games.

Whistler - Day 1

June 14 - Whistler

Today was my first day of downhill mtbing. I was nervous going out as downhill riding in general has not been the fun it was prior to breaking my arm. Went in and got all geared up and wait for my lesson/guided tour to begin. As it gets closer to leaving time it becomes clear that it will only be me with the guide which is super great since then I pretty much get a personalized session. The lesson was only three runs with the ability to ride more alone if I wanted.

The first run was a little hairy as I'm really not good at mtbing and then add going down hill and speed equals scary. No crashes just really slow as I don't trust myself or bike. For me the hardest part is remembering the bike can handle all of those bumps...also it's hard to override your brain when it wants to brake but you should flow through things.

The second run was better. Definitely nice to do part of the run over again, it is way more fun when you know what is coming up next.

Third run we went up on a medium hard run since I had done all of the easy runs. It was nice to get an introduction to all new tracks so if I would continue on that day I would be familiar with some. By this time it was getting a little later so there were tons of bikers and most of them were very good (as in professionals). This was fun to watch when they were ahead or on a different track but nervewracking when you could hear them behind you...specially cause I'm not as good at knowing the yield rules (always to right or where makes sense...not to mention that I moved over so people could pass on my right...whoopsi).

Needless to say as much as I would've liked to keep going I knew that I would be riding the next day and would be horribly sore if I did an all-dayer today. So I went to shower, grab some food and chill out for the rest of the day. Also, I switched my day for tomorrow from all day alone to half day lesson...figured this would give me all the time I actually needed out there but would be more fun and maybe meet some people to hang out with at game 7 of Stanley cup.

Seattle and up to Whistler

June 8th to 12th- Seattle

Got a ride to Seattle with the couple that took me in last night. They happened to be heading up to Bellingham so could drop me off on the way.

It was suppose to rain the next three days and I really was not caring at the l

ast bit of the ride cause I heard it isn't that great (if you go inland) and I just wanted to se

e my brother and be able to relax for a bit.

It was great to be back in Seattle as it's one of my favorite cities and I have plenty of favorite places to stop at. Plus catching up with Nate was good. The first few days we really didn't get up to much but it was great that way and still had great food (such as the crab Nate cooked). We did end up going out to Bainbridge Island which was fun. Had an

amazing meal out there at the Public House.

Giant Burrito with tamales in the background

Nate on ferry to Bainbridge Island

Manhole made planter

Made a stop by the Saloon...actually took a couple of days before we went down there which was not the norm but fun to see people. Also, Anthony had a bbq which was fun to see all of the Saloon in a different venue.

June 13th - Whistler

Drove up to Whistler today. The drive was beautiful but there were scattered showers which coincided with all of the scenic lookouts.

It is nice to be ending my travels with an actual vacation. It is the first time I have stayed in a hotel for multiple days on the whole trip and feels quite luxurious.

Once I got in it was time for the 6th game of the Stanley cup finals which would've been better not to watch...kinda glad I wasn't feeling like going to the bar to watch cause it was sad. Excited for tomorrow and mountain biking.

Mill Creek Campground to Nehalem Bay

May 30th - Mill Creek to Harris Beach - 40 miles

Rained again last night but wasn't too bad in the morning. Since I knew I had to climb the over 2 miles I had descended yesterday I started early as it was suppose to be a nice day.

The hill out of the campsite was actually not that bad. Partly because after that hill it was a long descent into Crescent City where it continued to appear as a downhill even when I knew it was not.

In all the ride was slightly scenic but enjoyable due to having shoulders most of the time on Highway 101 and not having to work as hard as the last couple of days.

Entered Oregon! Stopped in Brookings for food and Internet for a few hours. Of course as I came out and started on my way to camp it was beginning to rain. I started to rush to the campsite when I had to immediately turn back to shelter to change a flat tire.

By the time I changed my flat and chatted with a fellow who had done some touring and was originally from Minnesota the rain was starting to pick up. Luckily the campsite was just out of town and I set up quickly as it began to pour. One nice thing about Oregon is that the showers are free at the campsites!

Chris, the fellow tourist heading north, arrived in much the same fashion. He was heading to Harris Beach for a family reunion and his aunts and uncles were already there. As such, he invited me to hang out with them in the dry of their yurt and trailer. It was an amazing offer as the rain continued it's deluge into the night. I was also invited for dinner of steak, salad, and corn...it was amazing. Chris and I both ate like ravenous lions as our meals had consisted of canned soup and tuna for the last week.

Chris's tent was surrounded by a moat by the end of the night which I assumed he did on purpose to protect from attacks.

May 31st - Rest Day

Chris's family had invited me to hang out with them if I decided to have a rest day. When I woke up I looked out and it was a great blue sky day. As I got out of my tent ready to change and get going I saw Chris coming back to his tent. It turns out that the blue sky above the tent was an island surrounded by mean looking clouds in all other directions. I went out to the beach lookout to see for myself the impending doom.

Needless to say I still held out hope that it would get nice by 9. Soon the hour came and it was clear that the weather was holding for awhile. The upside of this was that Chris had a yurt that night with an empty bunk and I had been invited to join for another amazing sounding dinner.

When Chris's mom arrived she brought the sun and the rest of the afternoon and evening were amazingly beautiful. The dinner of smoked ribs, grilled salmon, potato salad, cabbage salad and cake was absolutely delightful.

June 1st - Harris Beach to Humbug State Park - 50 miles

Got up and had coffee with Chris's family prior to heading out for the day.

My legs much appreciated the rest day and were actually not too resistant to cycling. It probably helped that the sky was mostly clear and the hills were long but not horribly steep.

Following the coastline I got to take in the views of sea stacks to the left and wildflower covered hills to the right.

It was also nice to have a shoulder on 95% of the road today.

June 2 - Humbug Mountain to Sunset Bay - 60 miles

Once again there was rain in the morning that stopped by 9:00. I headed out with a nice tailwind and patches of blue to usher me on. The route began by following the beach prior to heading inland to forests.

Went through Bandon which was a cute town and had a nice library to catch up on emails. Sad but nice to get online every few days....specially as I'm trying to plan my arrival back in Minneapolis. This includes talking with my boss to sort out the job and with friends to ensure I have a place to live.

Sunset Bay is a beautiful little bay that made me very glad that I was not suckered into staying at the RVtastic county campground a mile closer to town.

Hoping that I can keep up the miles I've been doing as it will allow me to cycle to Seattle. We'll have to see what the weather throws at me.

June 3 - Sunset Bay to Jessie M Honeyman - 55 miles

Today was a great day. First, it was suppose to rain today...all day and I woke up to clear skys. Got up early and headed out with the idea that I might end up at the next campsite if the weather stayed so nice.

Saw the bay in the morning light and was tempted to stop to inspect the tidepools but thought I should keep going in case that rain showed up.

Shortly I was in North Bend where I crossed a beautiful steel bridge (yep I am an engineer).

Continuing on I started to see the dunes that were much talked about in all the books/pamphlets I was reading.

To add excitement into my day I almost ran over a baby rattlesnake. Luckily there were no cars behind me so I could swerve and miss it.

After that I continued through the forest and as I climbed one of the hills was treated with seeing more hills to my right with lakes down below. The lakes slowly became closer and soon I was riding right next to them.

As the weather held all day I decided to stop at the Honeyman campground because it had a lake and I actually was tempted to go for a swim. It was a very interesting lake as we were miles from the ocean but the sand dunes met the pine surrounded lake. It meant that I got to sit on a soft sand beach while watching the water lap against the bank. The wind kept the day cool and I decided I would wait for my swim for another day.

Walking from the lake was a rhododendron lined path. It was pleasant to walk through the pretty pink of the tree lined path.

June 4th - Jessie M Honeymoon to South Beach - 52 miles

Today was an amazing day. A guy heading south said that today would be beautiful and he was completely correct. It started through more forest and sand dunes prior to heading over a cute bridge into Florence. I stopped at a botanical 'garden' which was a state park for pitcher plants. The tour book I have suggested it and said it was great...which I found hard to believe (I'd seen pitcher plants before). They were right it was amazing to see all these carnivorous plants.

After a climb I headed down the descent in the sun seeing the Heceta lighthouse until going through a tunnel. This was a picture perfect sight...and I would have stopped if there were any pullouts on my side of the road.

Continuing on I stopped at Strawberry Hill for my lunch. Where I could here the sea lions below on the rocks. As I was about to leave a guy came up from the beach and asked if we had seen the whales. He pointed them out to the group on the lookout so I at last saw the migrating whales! I was truly excited.

After stopping in Waldport for a bit I got back on the road and shortly Jim and Sarah caught up to me. They were headed to the Rogue Brewery for a tour and needed to make it by 3:00. So we got into a paceline against the ever increasing wind and were on our way. We got there in time for the brewery tour and then a distillery tour.

Then it was camper appreciation so the campsites were free so I got a real campsite instead of a hiker/biker (which in this location was an upgrade). Also, as I got into my spot the neighbors were setting out for the beach. I was promptly invited for dinner when they BBQ'd later and the mom brought me over a Powerade "since I must be thirsty". Pretty much an amazing day!!!

June 5th - South Beach to Devils Lake - 30 miles

This morning did not start as expected. I slept in as I had a short day and was planning on going to a bike shop that had laundry and cyclist lounge. As the book I had told me I needed to go through town to get to the bike shop and stores I did just that. Unfortunately I didn't realize I passed the bike shop until a few miles passed and didn't want to go back.

I did go to a grocery store though even that was difficult as I got called out to move my bike so five shopping carts could be put in there place...needless to say I went to the store across the street to purchase my food.

The ride itself was a good one. Took a short ride out to the Devil's punchbowl and then climbed my way to the lookout prior to being fooled into thinking I was at the top it was a nice view. I then continued up a very steep grade the last 1/4 mile. This is why northbound and southbound routes should not be the same!!

Got into Lincoln City in plenty of time to enjoy the beach as well as the lake. One was hectic while the other was quite serene. Then went out for a beer with Nelson a local cycle tourist just out for 4 days. He introduced me to ridewithgps.com which allowed me to choose the shorter route in Washington without fear of a crazy steep long hill.

June 6th - Devils Lake to Nehalem Bay - 75 miles

Started out breakfasting with Nelson, Maryanne and her friend. The day was gray and misted off and on. As I headed out I decided if the weather kept up like this that I would skip two of the three capes on the Three Capes Scenic Route.

It was about 15 miles before I headed off Highway 101 and towards Pacific City. Once I had turned off the highway it was a pretty view and easy riding with a couple of bigger hills. Stopped at Pacific City for lunch at the beach next to a brewery...I was very sad not to go in but knew I still had 40 miles to go and was making good time.

Once back on Highway 101 it still was a nice ride other than the pasture land around Tillamook. After Tillamook, bays were in sight as well as sloughs.

Sadly the highlight of the day was not the scenery but the surprise Dairy Queen in Garibaldi! I had given myself strict rules of not going to DQ unless it was afternoon or anytime on a sunny day...which up until this point I had not met the criteria.

Getting into camp today there were 3 cousins and a dad all touring together. It was fun to chat with them and find out about Washington and how it will go.