Day 7 - June 10, Hood River to Biggs, 48 miles

The tailwind was strong today blowing up the river gorge and the windsurfers were out taking advantage.   We were too far away to take a good picture, but they must really know what they are doing. The river gorge is very wide, has lots of cliffs and very few places to launch from or take out.  We can’t imagine tacking back to your launch point against the wind we had today!  The most interesting part of the ride today was the descent from the Rowena Crest on the “Rowena Loops”, especially with the strong wind buffeting us.  Gotta love those 200mm rotors!

Day 6 - June 9, Cascade Locks to Hood River, 19 miles

We camped last night and it rained most of the night.  Morning brought sunny skies so we dried out before packing up. We knew that there was a steep climb shortly after starting but we didn’t realize what we were in for.  We turned onto the climb and the road sign that said “Steep Herman Creek Road”.   We exchanged a few anxious words about how “steep” it might be and forged ahead.  We really didn’t know how steep a road we could handle with a fully loaded tandem.  The road quickly turned up to 11% and we were doing better than expected.  A mile and a half into the climb the grade jumped up to 20%!!  We were off and walking the last really steep half a mile!   Walking your bike while bike touring is something you read about but think you will never have to do.  Feeling humble …

Good morning sunshine !

Drying out and packing and breakfast …

More beautiful views of the river gorge from the bike path 

Stunning view of Mt Adams from the River View Inn, Hood River

Day 5 - June 8, Troutdale to Cascade Locks, 36 miles

We rode on I84 for the first 10 miles then we exited to the Historic Columbia River Highway.  Cars were allowed on the road for the first few miles and then the road turned into a paved bike trail - no vehicles allowed.  Today was a sightseeing day with beautiful waterfalls, views of the river, more amazing rain forest, and negotiated a long staircase manhandling the loaded tandem.  

One of multiple beautiful falls.

   

Bonneville Dam from the bike path

Part of the stairway

 

Day 4 - June 7, St Helens to Troutdale, 50 miles

Another nice cool day in the 50s and no rain today.  Today’s challenge was to navigate through and around Portland.  First step was to find the correct bridge to cross from Highway 30 over the Williamette river into Portland.  In this case the Broadway bridge, which has a great bike path (photo below). Then we took N Williams Ave clear across town south to north. Wow!  Portland earns the right to call itself the most bike friendly city in America.  The bike lanes were fantastic!  Riding across town was like a pleasant ride in the country side.  At the north end of town we reached the Columbia River.  Portland has a beautiful paved path running along the river for 10 miles.  We stopped at one of their beautiful parks for a break, Broughton Beach.   

Broadway Bridge is a draw bridge   Wonder how that works with the electric tram overhead rails?

Day 3 - June 6, Clatskanie to St Helens, 36 miles

This part of Oregon has recently been hot and very dry - looks like we broke the drought!  Last night it rained all night, and it was raining when we broke camp this morning. Sherri said, “I need to put on my big girl pants and let’s get going.” In fact we put on most of our clothes. When we left it was in the 40s and still raining.  The ride today started with a long 6 to 7% grade climb right out of town. That helped to warm us up.   The rain finally stopped on the last few miles of the ride.  We chose a Comfort Inn at St. Helens so we could dry out.  That made Sherri smile.  Tomorrow a ride through Portland.   

Day 2 - June 5, Astoria to Clatskanie, 38 miles

Today we drove to the Portland airport and picked up our good friend John.  John flew in to drive our van back home for us. THANKS JOHN !!  From the airport it was back to Astoria to start the days ride.  The drive to and from the airport included today’s route.  There was a lot of rain on the drive.  Once in Astoria John helped us prep and pack all our gear.  It was good bye and many thanks to John and off on highway 30 to Clatskanie.  Amazingly it only rained on us the very last 3 miles of the route.  We camped at RV Outdoor Adventures which had great hot showers. Nice since it was in the low 50s for most of the ride.   Our first fully loaded day complete with no mishaps. 

Day 1 - June 4, Astoria - Fort Stevens - Astoria, 30 miles

Our first day of riding!   Yesterday, after visiting Scott and Marilyn in Sunnyvale we drove our van to Astoria, Oregon and got a hotel room. Today we rode the tandem out to the Pacific Ocean at Fort Stevens and dripped a tire on the surf.  Then back to the hotel. It was a perfect weather today.  All the roads in this corner of the state have wide, smooth shoulders - we are spoiled!

What surprised us was the extent of the redwood coastal rainforests!   See the picture below of the Fort Stevens bike path.