And they are off . . .

After hiking the AT together in 2018 my son and I starred looking for similar adventures. We considered several cool hikes including Te Araroa and the Croatian Long Distance Trail but decided since we had done a long hike something different was in order. Ultimately, it came down to kayaking the Mississippi River (from the headwaters in Minnesota down to New Orleans) or biking the TransAmerica Trail from Astoria, Oregon to Yorktown, Virginia (4,219 miles). The quarter landed heads so we prepped the bikes and headed to Oregon (the kayaking trip is still on the bucket list).

Of course we didn't just jump right in the car. As with any good adventure there was planning and preparation. We started biking each day building our mileage up to 50 miles per day. I invested in a recumbent bike (that's the three wheeled kind for old people :)). It is great sitting in a bucket seat and not hunching over handlebars but my bike weighs 45 pounds so it is a bear pushing it up hills.

With training complete and preparations made we put the bikes in a U-Haul and headed up to Oregon. My wonderful and supportive wife and my daughter Rachel joined us for the drive. 17 hours later we were in Astoria and ready to start. Having never biked more than 52 miles at a time, we are not sure what to expect. Our hike experience provides a good foundation but expect the biking adds a whole different element. At least we hope so, that's why we chose to bike the TAT.

Day 1 - 53 Miles to Jetty Fishery RV Camp

Day started slow as we finished preparations and said good bye to Peggy and Rachel. Always hard to say good bye at the start of these long adventures.

The scenery and experience was awesome leaving Astoria. We traveled through old town and along the beach and ocean.

As we left town we had to cross a bridge where the bike path was a raised sidewalk. No problem for Erik on two wheels but a challenge for me on three. Had about two inches of room from tire to the curb edge. About midway across the bridge I lost focus and my front left wheel slipped off the curb. My trike and I dumped out into the street. Luckily there was no oncoming traffic so I survived with just some embarrassment. Five miles later, in the middle of the beautiful Lewis and Clark woods, my back tire went flat (not sure if it was related to the bridge incident). Peggy had recently dropped us off, so I called her and she came back with a pump and repair supplies (would have been stuck otherwise). After a two hour delay we finished a 50+ mile day with many beautiful seaside views and experiences. After the late start and delay we pulled into our campsite around 8:30. Long day but a good start.

The intrepid explorers at the TAT starting point at the end of 17th Street in Astoria, Oregon

The trail took us past the old docks and beaches of Astoria

This is the bridge where I took a header off the curb 😞

Always like to get pictures of the local flora

At mile 8.4 - Really?

We passed the end point for the Lewis and Clark Expedition

Riding along the beach was amazing

Day 2 - 43 miles to Cape Kiwanda RV Park

We got an early start and enjoyed more beautiful seascapes and beach towns. We had a lot of climb yesterday and the hills went okay. Today ended with a steep climb. Only 900 feet but the grade was 8%+. With my trike, load and gearing I cannot push those types of grades. Took me an hour to go the 1.5 miles up. I was worked. Was a fun ride down the other side but I ended the day concerned about my ability to take the hills. And, Erik's back tire went flat. Two in two days is not a good omen.

Our view as we got up this morning

There are so many cool rock formations along our route

We passed the Tillamook Cheese Factory (sadly no free samples)

This mega flowering tree was in a park where we stretched.

The "road" devolved into rock and mud at certain spots today. It's awesome routing through the woods but the 4WD gets a little exciting

Today we continued along the Oregon Coast

We also passed this huge sand dune in the middle of the woods

Erik cannot handle the cold going down hill when its 50 degrees outside

Our campsite was overrun by what looked like pet rabbits

This is why we do what we do . . .

Day 3 - 45 miles to Spirit Mountain Casino Lodge

We started by fixing Eriks flat. After checking the tube and finding no holes we determined that the valve was leaking. We cleaned the valve and tested it again, it worked. Let's hope it holds up under use. As I plotted todays route, there were two big climbs. I was nervous after yesterday's experience. The two climbs today were actually higher, but the grade was much better (4-5% vs 8%). On both climbs I pushed too the top and couldn't believe I was already there. Felt so much better than yesterday. Learning quickly with my setup that there is an inflection point on grade. Height is less of an issue, If the grade us <5% I can grind up. 6-7% is a struggle and 8%+ kills me. I hope the TAT route planners were kind and picked a route over the Rockies that is lower grade. Guess we will find out. After feeling so good today we biked an extra couple miles to get a shower and sleep in a bed. So worth it.

We leave the coast line later today so enjoying the last glimpses

This shows my recumbent fully loaded. You can see Erik dressed like Nanook of the North in the background. After 2 years in El Salvador, he cannot handle any cold.

We transition from beach to mountains and woods today. As pretty and calming as the beach is, I still prefer the mountains.

Some unique flowers on our way to the woods

Learning to dread this sign as it always means a big climb is coming up

The pines here are quite tall, love that.

Home for the night (no gambling though)

Day 4 - 50 miles to Corvalis, Oregon

After a good night's sleep we took off for a longer day. Only moderate climb today so ww are encouraged. We stopped at a little coffee shack for a smoothie and then had a nice sun nap at the park in Monmouth, Oregon. After the nap, we biked through farm and winery country. My back tire went flat again about 15 miles outside Corvallis, so I stopped every 5 miles to pump it up and limped into town. Luckily, Corvallis Cycles was still open. They fixed my tire and also determined my front left tire was coming off. So, glad we stopped by. Staying in town after getting fixed up.

Huge fields with pine mountains in the background

In 50 miles you pass a lot of fields

Some beautiful wild flowers amongst all those fields

This one has a visitor

After miles of trucks buzzing by at 65 MPH, we really enjoyed a few miles of bike path

A sun nap in the park is a great way to spend a break

Before limping into town we passed this huge winery - grape vines as far as the eye can see

Will end this post with this cute little shack house we passed while riding through the fields today.

Signing off from Corvalis, Oregon. Will post another update in about a week.