What a beautiful ride! Eighty two miles and three lighthouses to enjoy on highway 101. We were both feeling better after a day off yesterday and the miles flew by. It wasn’t too hot or too cold and the sun came out in the early afternoon to gently warm us on the downhills. There were only three serious climbs today, each one approx 400 feet high unfortunately by the downhill roads were cracked and marred so our downhill speed was kept to a minimum.(tandems go REAL fast downhills)

Today was about laundry, bike maintenance and eating! We started in the camp but ended up at a hotel as camp had no water or bathrooms due to a water main break. We camped one night and then gave up and got a hotel where we could go to the bathroom.

Moira did the laundry with lots of other Big Riders and Doug spent the day working on the bike with our AMAZING mechanic Alan. New tires, and lots of work on the shifting took most of the day for them.

Wonderful food; lunch was Thai with the best brown rice and a steak for dinner. Life is good!

Today was TOUGH! Hills everywhere and no flat land in site. Headwinds, sidewinds and cold overcast skies were the conditions. Not the best riding day at all.

Our first rest stop was the Tillamook Creamery, a place with many memories as that was where we had one of our engagement parties.

The ‘Knights of Netarts’ (think Monty Python) began when we figured out a short cut that cut off a few miles and traded one giganda hill for four smaller cousins.

The most epic climb was Cape Lookout, approx 5 miles up and a rough road that prevented any speed on the downhill, not fun for a tandem. The views were spectacular!

Rest day tomorrow and we’re looking forward to it greatly!

Gorgeous day! Lots of sun and beautiful country roads. We crossed into Oregon over the Astoria bridge, definetly not for the cycling faint of heart.

The day was not without it’s challenges, three miles out of camp we had a major chain failure, after loosening the crank we finally got back on the road. After that we burned up the miles as quickly as we could to make up time.

After a lunch stop in Cannon Beach we were back on the road and climbing hills, LOTS of hills! There were lovely views all along the way thru the trees of the haystack rocks and the pounding ocean.

Were headed to bed now as tomorrow is 86 miles to Lincoln City and a well deserved rest day, our knees could certainly use it!

80 miles lots of hills and we didn’t get lost! We made it to the coast today and honored Sarah by tossing the bouquet of flowers that had started in Seattle into the ocean. Just after that we saw a little island in the ocean & for us it will always be “Sarah’s island”.

We rode out of the Seattle Marriott early this morning. Onto the ferry and were getting to know the other riders. Sarah’s flowers are getting a lot of attentionand they smell fabulous. It’s a 77 mile ride from Seattle to Lake Sylvia, Montesano.

Day 0 Redmond to Seattle Marriott for Big Ride start.

Day 0 has been about packing & buying larger luggage. We’re all packed and ready to roll, literally, We can’t wait to get on the bike. This afternoon we’ll wander Pike’s Market getting a bouquet of flowers to honor Sarah Donaldson, a kitty come home tag and hopefully an inflatable orca if we can find one.

Then it’s off to the orientation where we meet the other Big Riders. Wish us luck, we’re almost off!

Doug & Moira