Day 89 Cobourg to Florence

Well this is it. The last day for some but not me of course as I have contractual obligations with my sponsors. Dolo and I followed  the official route today and did the 85 miles to Florence. The rest of the group took a 2 day detour so that they could dip their wheels in the Pacific. The problem is that it isn't 'Florence by the Sea'  it's 'Florence on an Estuary' a few miles inland.

So I will be in Florence one day before the main group which gives me a layover day and the time to prepare for the next  bit. Instead of turning right and hrading up the coast to Vancouver I am turning left and finishing in San Francisco where I will be spending a few days with Greg. This adds a couple of hundred more miles but hopefully Greg will be there waiting at the Golden Gate Bridge with champagne on ice.

I then intend to take the Amtrak up to Vancouver with a stopover in Seattle. A 26 hour journey but all part of the fun. I will also get a day in Vancouvet before flying home on 26th August and rejoining the real world.

So back to today's ride. What better way to start than a tried and tested Mcdonalds breakfast, where surprise surprise we found Ellen and Kelly. And Cathy too. Cathy and Kelly had also decided to go direct to Florence but at their usual warp speed pace.

After negotiating our way through the city centre traffic we picked up a cycle path taking us out of town and then had a glorious day cycling down ( with a few ups ) a river valley that took us all the way to Florence.  We arrived at the campsite about 6 30  after a long day and then had celebratory 'British Style' fish and chips at a waterfront restaurant washed down with a couple of large beers. Tonight we will be having our farewelll meal with the rest of the group.

San Fransisco is about 12 days  and 600 miles away.  Dolo will be riding with me some of the way and we intend to take a somewhat leisurely 50 mile a day pace.

Miles Today 88
Total         4663

Day 88 Mckenzie Btidge to Cobourg

Today was a day of two halves. First 30 miles were as dull as ditchwater on a horrible road with fast  cars, trucks and a not very wide shoulder. Second 25 miles were on a nice quite road thtough idyllic countryside not dissimilar to Yorkshire. Last 10 miles involved a detour into the very large city of Eugene to visit the REI Adventure store to buy fuel and bottles for my Trangia Stove.

I also visited the AMTRAK station and booked tickets for the final part of the trip. This is due to a slight change of plan which will add even more miles to the trip and which I will reveal in a subsequent post.

Tomorrow is an 80 mile + day to Florence and is THE FINAL LEG OF THE TRANSAMERICA TRAIL.

Miles Today  65
Total          4576

Day 87 Sisters to Mckenzie Bridge

I have to say that today has been up there with the best rides of the tour. After leaving the ranch early and riding the few miles into the 'boutique' trendy town of Sisters I could not resist calling in at the Sisters Coffee House for a latte and wholemeal apple muffin. On the eay out I bumped into Sally so I went back in and had another.

When the cycling finally started we had the small matter of the 10 mile ascent up to the volcanic lava fields of the Mckenzie Pass below Mount Washington. And it was glorious. No wind, good gradient, no RV's or trucks as road too narrow, and shade all the way up thanks to the tall trees on each side. And then at the top friendly tourists handi.g out ice cool water. The descent down the other side was even better. Ten miles of steep tree lined switchbacks all the way down, with a nice little deli at the end for lunch. Very civilised, only 46 miles, without doubt my kind of cycling.

And the icing on the cake. We are eating out tonight and only 2 more days before we get to Florence the official end of the route.

Miles Today  46
Total           4501

Day 86 Prineville to Sisters

Today has been gloriously easy so far, no wind, little hills and only 38 miles. The snow capped peaks in the pboto are the Cascades and are the last geographical barrier before we hit the Pacific Coast. We cross via the Mckenzie Pass which has only been open for two weeks. I can tell that we are getting closer to Seattle as the taste of the coffee is definately getting better, although I cant smell the ocean yet.

Tonight we are being hosted by Patti and Annrka on their ranch just outside Sisters. A beautiful house in an idyllic location with stunning views of the Cascades. And the added bonus of a natural freshwatet pool for swimming in the back garden. It had to be done.

Miles Today 46
Total          4455

Day 85 Mitchell to Prineville

Todays 'easy day' started with a testing 10 mile ascent up on to the Ochaca Pass followed by a 'flat' 30 mile dezcent with headwind into Prineville where I am now sat having a latte in Starbucks. Once again the cafe designated for lunch on the Q sheets was closed down. It's not just the UK in recession.

Today was also my final day in the camp kitchen so with the help of my sous-chef Jack  ( pictured below) I treated the group to my speciality wan kai thai red fish curry with petit pois followed by a desert of tri berry parfait topped with yoghurt a.d drizzled with honey. Had to substitute red snapper for cod but it seemed to work as they all came back for more.

Tomorrow we are staying on a ranch and as it is a short day and they dont want us there too early we are actually having a 7AM breakfast. And about time too!

Miles Today 54
Total        4406

Day 84 Prarie City to Mitchell

Todays ride was the wrong way round for me. 50 mile descent followed  by 30 mile ascent followed by 5 mile descent into town. Only to find no showets and all the restaurants closed. So instead of the scheduled eating out night Terry and Jason saved the day by servi.g up an improvised meal of hot dogs, Jasons 'pasta like momma makes' and fruit salad.
The ride today was pretty tough and very hot in the afternoon as we were climbing up an amazingly  scenic canyon. I feel on this trip that I have been on the set of every Cowboy and Indian film that I have ever seen.
Also met a couple of bikers Greg and Chuck ( who was on the inaugural 1976 Transam ride and sporting a rather fine Bianchi cycling shirt) and who were good company on the hill. They ended up staying on our campsite and our chefs very kindly offered them our leftovers and we even let them cool their warm beer in our ice bag.
Very generous us Transamers.

Miles today: 84
Total miles: 4,350

Day 83 Baker City to Prairie City

A very tiring ride today as we had 3 major climbs over 5000' as well as a warm up climb at the start. Why is it that after a rest day I always feel lethargic on the bike. Can someone please explain. And it is nothing to do with beer.

I started late today after a small lay in ( has to be done wben you have the luxury of a motel bed )  so  I fully expected everybody else to be in front. I was therefore quite surprised to hear Ellen's bell behind me and then Kelly mid morning.  Should have realised they had been loitering in Mcdonalds. I usually catch up Jack mid afternoon which I did today. Jack likes to take his time ( which I like) and usually departs between 5 and 6AM. He is also one of the special few in the group who can actually say that they have cycled the wbole route so far. Good on yer Jack. He also has aspirations to become a fully fledged member of the Stop and Stare team.

It goes without saying that the scenery today as we followed the Oregon scenic byeway was resplendent.

Miles Today 68
Total          4267

Total Sponsorship  £3965.00
Gift Aid                     £807.06