Week 1

WE HAVE COMPLETED OUR FIRST WEEK AND ARE STILL ON SPEAKING TERMS! WE SET OFF LAST SUNDAY FROM ASTORIA IN THE RAIN AND MADE IT TO MANZANITA. I HAD 2 FALLS THAT DAY, ONE TO THE RIGHT AND ONE TO THE LEFT SO AT LEAST BOTH KNEES MATCHED!! ON MONDAY WE SET OFF DOWN THE COAST, BEAUTIFUL SCENERY ALL THE WAY, TO PACIFIC CITY. WE HAD PLANNED TO STAY AT A PLACE CALLED SAND LAKE BUT WHEN WE GOT THERE THATS ALL THERE WAS.... ONE BIG SAND LAKE AND NOTHING ELSE!! ON TUESDAY WE HEADED INLAND AND EVENTUALLY, MANY HOURS LATER ARRIVED AT THE STRANGEST TOWN EVER... WILLAMINA, TIMBER CITY OF THE U.S. WE CHECKED INTO THE ONE AND ONLY HOTEL WHEN IT OPENED AT 5 PM AND FOUND WE WERE THE ONLY GUESTS. THAT MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO THE RESIDENT POLTERGEIST WHICH WE READ ABOUT IN THE VISITOR BOOK. PREVIOUS GUESTS SAW BOOKS JUMPING OFF THE BOOKCASES . WE HAD A LOVRLYLOVELY ROOM, OWN RETRO KITCHEN AND VERY UNUSUAL SITTING ROOM!! I RECOMMEND ANYONE TO GO THERE, AMAZING PLACE! ON WEDNESDAY WE MADE IT TO CORVALLIS, QUITE A BIG TOWN. STAYED AT MOTEL 6. HEADED OFF IN WRONG DIRECTION NEXT MORNING (AHHHHH!!!) ADDED TOO MANY EXTRA MILES! MADE MANY MISTAKES BUT FINALLY ARRIVED AT SPRINGFIELD EXHAUSTED. DUE TO FIELD AND TRACK EVENTS MOST OF SPRINGFIELD WAS BOOKED OUT. WE WERE SOAKING WET AND VERY TIRED. THEN LUCKILY GOT A SUITE IN BEST WESTERN WITH ENORMOUS BED REAL LUXURY!! FRIDAY WAS A GOOD CYCLING DAY, NO WRONG TURNS, NO RAIN AND ABOUT 50 MILES

ADMIRING THE VIEW.

Rear wheels in The Pacific Ocean!

A short while later we had our next official start by dipping our rear wheels in the Pacific!

AT THE START!

We started in the rain from the official starting point in Astoria, Oregon on Sunday 6th June.

First stage!

We've done 4 days, covered about 220 miles, become addicted to pancakes and maple syrup, got sore butts and developing enormous legs!! Great so far!!! Photos when I get access to a computer!

We're Here!

Dermot putting together the bikes in Seattle train station.

Leaving do at Hendre Llan 31/5/10