Friday - Day 6 of Tour - The Road goes on forever but the party never ends!

Well, I suppose at the beginning of all great journeys there is the inevitability that the end will come and all one is left with is memories of the path charted. As I sit, back again, at Laura and Davey's, eating Tillamook Ice Cream, and satisfied from again the most amazing dinner of pork(triple cooked), salad and rice I think back over the past week with such joy and amazement. Was it really just a week ago that the longest bike ride I had ever been on was maybe 5 miles?? Well it was and this past week has brought such wonderful experiences, I hope you've been able to find the enjoyment of our trip through our dissertations each night, because it has been difficult to put into words.

Hey, Dave, quite being all sappy already, what happened today????

Ok, ok, here it goes. We woke up this morning just south of Florence Oregon at the Driftwood Shores Resort. It was mighty cold this morning and many of our compatriots wore pants or tights of some sort as they set out on their ride, Sara and I stuck to out trusty spandex shorts. (Who would have EVER thought that one would become SO accustomed to wearing spandex shorts, Sheesh!) Our ride today was going to be pretty short and flat, mostly an eastern stint into the mainland where we would finish our ride just outside or Eugene OR, GO DUCKS!!!

As we were heading out we flanked a beautiful river with sand dunes on both sides. The road was pretty bumpy though. Apparently there must have been some construction going on at some point because sure enough, I SPEARED a nice long nail right through my tires. pssssssssssssss. My 2nd flat of the trip, first while riding. Just as you pin a button on a shirt, this nail had pierced both my tire and tube. Luckily our trusty guide John was right along with us at that point and he gladly changed out my tire for me with the tools stowed on my bike. He inflated the tire best he could but encouraged me to look out for big bumps until a van came by and we could inflate the tire for real. Well, I did the best i could I promise, but about 3/4 of a mile down the road, I heard a very similar hissing from my back tire again. Somehow, I'd blown the new tube again!!!! GEEEZ! This was not turning out to be such a great ride. But John was super cool about it all, and told me to absolutely not worry about it, it happens all the time. So we called in one of the vans and we quickly changed out tires and I was back on my way. Thanks John and Dave!!!

We finally got along State Route 126 then SR 36 and enjoyed some yet again wonderful scenery as we traced along the Siuslaw River towards Eugene. We stopped about 1/2 way along the road at a great road side cafe/store for a bathroom break and a wonderful 'Date bar' (the fruit), much better than any of the pre-packaged stuff in the van.

We continued out our last 10 miles or so, not wanting it to end, but yearning for the moment we could relieve our rear-ends from the prolonged wear and tear of a 250 mile trip. We finally arrive at a small shaded park just set off the road for our last lunch together. Wilder prepared an EXTRAORDINARY lunch of pesto sun-dried tomato tortellini, salad and fresh watermelon. We all were happy to change out of our riding gear and spend a few casual moments together before packing up the vans and heading up the road.

About an hour up the road we stopped off at a rest area to for a quick restroom break and to say our last "see-ya-laters", no goodbyes here, as each van was headed for different destinations in Portland.

I'm reminded of the last days at Camp Sea-Gull/Seafarer or in college, where each of us are so happy for the shared experiences, sad about leaving one another, but very much looking forward to the times that our paths will cross again. We said 'see ya later' to the other van full and made our way back to Portland.

We gave Laura and ETA of 5:15, and we weren't too far off. We gave our 'till next times' to our van mates and made our way back to northwest Portland, to Laura and Davey's.

When we set out on this journey, we were hoping to create memories that would last a lifetime. Well we accomplished that 10x fold, we each grew in confidence as cyclists, but more importantly we made some wonderful friends, that in potentially no other way would we have come in contact with, and for that we are thankful.

Throughout this wonderful journey, there were many people that we would have liked to have along, but on the top of our list is our brother Brian. Brian was working this summer at the Kentucky Governor's Scholar program and did not have the opportunity to make the trip with us, but never fear B-man this, or something like this SHALL be repeated and you're coming with us, we don't care what you have to say about it!! Love ya man!

James Taylor's 'Country Road' is playing in the background here at the house and it seems like very fitting song to wrap up the tour. I hope any and all of you who chose to follow along our journey have enjoyed keeping up with us, I will tell you that the words written here didn't even scratch the surface of the enjoyment of our trip, but it may have helped to give a small glimpse.

Look forward to seeing all of you soon!
David Heyburn

Songs of the day:
Re-mix to Ignition - R. Kelly
Dirt Off Your Shoulder - Jay-Z
Country Road- James Taylor
Road Goes on Forever - Robert Earl Keen


Beer:
Bridgeport Blue Herron Pale Ale
New Belgium 1554