Larry's log.
I've never seen so many bright eyed, bushy-tailed people at 5:30 in the morning. Everyone was rarin' to go! It was probably in the mid-50s with low clouds. Everyone started riding promptly at 6. Today's route was primarily Rt 202, 47, 30 and Marine Drive around Portland. Had it been sunny when we started, we would have found the first 20 miles or so tree shaded. They covered the road most of the way. There was a creek that would peak out of the trees from time to time. It was quite a peaceful setting. It was mostly flat except for about a 1000 foot climb that peaked at about mile 20.I figured we were going to start a climb when I saw a road sign that said "Snow Zone." Logging is the big deal around here. We didn't see any logging trucks, probably because it's Sunday. However, there were a lot of signs along the road, placed by the logging companies, noting when the areas had been replanted (most were in the 1980s). There were also a few areas that you could see had been cleared away. Heading up the climb it was damp and misty from the low clouds. Looking off to the side, you could see that the clouds were not much higher than we were. All of the clouds disappeared as soon as we started descending the other side. However, since we were still shaded, and a little more inland, it seemed even cooler. Someone with a bike thermometer said it was about 50 degrees. My fingers and toes were cold on the way down (I only had shorts and a short sleeve jersey on). The first reststop at Mile 28 was set up at the edge of a wildlife refuge.It was an elk viewing area, but I don't think anyone spotted any. I didn't spend much time at this stop. I noticed the triple with Mom, Dad and the three year old leaving. Hey, it's not a race, but there was no way I was going to end the day behind a three year old! Actually, Junior had it pretty easy. Mom and Dad told me that he took three naps during the ride. About ten miles down the road, we passed what I presume was a local club ride going the other way. There was a group of three out front, and a pack of about ten behind them. Some of the conversations along the way were quite interesting. There was one person from Steamboat Springs who happened to find out that the person she was riding alongside had also lived there. They seemed to know quite a few of the same people. We also have a few riders on the tour who have completed the Race Across America (RAAM). It is an annual event in which riders race across the country, usually in ten days or less. Forget about much sleep. Anyway, one of the RAAM riders was recalling how she was so uncomfortable on one of her RAAM races that she stood up for about 600 miles. She said the only time she sat was going down hill. She said her crew finally found a different type of saddle that she was able to tolerate. On the way to the second rest stop I saw a dead deer along the road. It's too bad he didn't learn the rules of the road. A couple of miles up was a yellow caution sign with a deer on it. I guess he didn't know where he was supposed to be. After the second rest stop at 54 miles, the road "opened up." The trees were further from the road and the sun was warm. It was well into the 70s, at least. Right before lunch, our route joined up with the 200 mile, Seattle to Portland (STP)ride. Some do it in one day, but most do it in two. I don't know how long riders had been coming by for, but we were probably somewhere near the middle of the 6000+ person (at least that's what the ride numbers indicated) group. Our lunch stop was set up right near one of their rest stops, which made for some interesting confusion. Our routes were together for about 12 miles. After lunch, I rode with a group of them for about six or seven miles. Theirs appeared to be a well supported ride. I noticed one rest stop advertising that they did both bike and body repair. The STP riders naturally figured I was one of them. When our route left theirs, they were hollering "Right turn!" figuring I was about to head off course. I thanked them, and said I was on a different ride. Then, about half a mile later, I was stopped at a light, and a car's occupants next to me asked, "Did you miss your turn?" So, I also told them I was doing a different ride. The route around Portland was Marine Drive, along the Columbia River. Washington was right on the other side. Being somewhat urban, it wasn't all that scenic. But, it was a good road, with a nice shoulder. One interesting sight was the floating houses built on the river, along docks, where boats were normally be.They had garages for their boats. Around the airport, I noticed Mt. Hood off in the distance, probably 40 or 50 miles away. It should have been clearer, it seemed somewhat hazy. Daniel told me after the ride, he had seen it earlier, along with Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams. I didn't notice those. It wasn't a windy day today. There was little wind up to lunch at about 80 miles. After that, we had a slight tailwind (better than a slight headwind!). I think everyone considered it a relatively "easy" and fun day. The majority of the riders made it in between 1 and 2 pm, which includes all of the rest stops and lunch. My bike was creaking most of the ride, so at the motel I had the PAC Tour mechanics check it out. Figuring it was a loose bottom bracket, they disassembled it, regreased and reinstalled it. Still creaking. So, they loosened the pedals, squirted in some lube, and the noise stopped. I guess we should have thought of that first! There don't appear to be a lot of restaurants on this side of town. However, we may have located an All you can Eat place nearby. You don't have to worry about eating too much on this tour! Tomorrow is 157 miles to Boardman.
-- Larry Schwartz
Today, I learned my first Pac Tour lesson...Always dress warm, and peel clothes later!!! I really should have known that but I figured that I would be warm enough with just my shorts, arm warmers and jacket. Boy was I wrong!! The first 28 miles of the ride were very scenic with quite a few photographic moments, but I could hardly enjoy the view since I was so cold. Daniel was dressed in a similar manor and was only a little better than I was. Thankfully, the motel truck carrying the luggage was stopped at the first rest stop and my bag with all my warm clothes was at the very back of the 50+ bags in the truck. I tore open then bag and put on almost all the warm clothes I had brought with me!! Tights, another long sleeve jersey, mitts, earwarmers and heavy socks!!! Of course, I had burned off all my calories from breakfast, trying to stay warm, so I hit the food table and grabbed as much to eat as I could stomach! The next segment of the ride was much more enjoyable for me, and it was only about 25 miles before I had shed all of the warm clothes that I had put on. Daniel and I rode most of the time by ourselves and did pass a few of the fellow riders along the way, including the triple tandem with the 3 year old napping in his seat. At the lunch stop, the route joined up with the Seattle to Portland group. Unfortunately, Daniel and I had been delayed much longer than the main group at the first rest stop and we were merged with the tail end of the group. This group consisted of riders that were much slower than we were. Most of the riders were on mountain bikes or hybrid bikes, and were not dressed in the most comfortable riding clothes!! Needless to say, Daniel and I biked by everyone as though they were standing still. We did see 3 riders that had plastic "bare asses" fixed on their rear ends. Don't ask me what benefit, if any, that would be!!!! Not a single rider made an attempt to try and get behind us to draft!! It was very nice to finally separate from the other group of cyclists since many of the riders would weave in and out from the edge of the road. This was quite nerve-wrecking for us since we were on a main highway. The route along the Columbia river to the motel was very scenic and we did enjoy the final leg of the ride. We arrived at the motel shortly before 2pm, feeling quite strong. What a great first day!! After a brief visit to the hot tub and a nice shower, Larry, Daniel and I went in search of some well deserved dinner. Unfortunately, there wasn't much around that served vegetarian food....and the first 2 Italian restaurants were closed. Finally, we found a pizza place and split a 16 inch Veggie Pizza and finished up with an ice cream dessert from McDonalds. We are looking forward to tomorrow's ride to Boardman. This will be a challenge of 157 miles!!! But now it is bed time now.
Judith Jolly (and Daniel Schaaf)