Sept. 11, 2000 - CYCLE OREGON
I think this is a new fad: when you start a story, you have to say “So.”
So, this is what happened – well some of what happened on Cycle 2000.
So, I paid my way to go months in advance to make sure I had a spot. Not a problem this time as only 1800 went and the ideal number is 2,000. I finally broke down and bought a jersey XL. It had better not shrink. I had no idea how many different XL sizes there are. I also bought a Full Sail jersey, or Ilene bought it for me. I can swim in it. It’s an XL too.
So, Allen and Lee, two guys from work, said they would go last year, but had excuses for not going. This year Allen signed up two months before it was time to go. I was glad to see him sign up. We were going to car pool in our car. Now I would have someone to talk to who would know what I was talking about. There are people who listen but without the ride can only imagine what it is all about. Until you put the shoes on and do the walk, you will never really know what it all about.
. . . . So, it was a warm day the day we left. I was fighting the flu and on medicine. I didn’t know if I could do it. Three weeks without training doesn’t help. The drive there was no problem. The new bike rack I built was working well. We left home at 5:30 a.m.; got lost getting to Allen’s house just 10 miles away. We left his house at 6:15. Destination: Paisley, Oregon.
So, Ilene drove and set up the tent and blew up the mattress. She stayed the first night with me. I like it when she comes. I held down the 3-legged chair. Work does fascinate me. It always amazes me how you can set up your tent and you are all by yourself, leave for a few minutes, and when you come back you can’t find it. The other tents are up when you get back and I think 10% are REI. It’s a fast tent to put up but way too popular! “Now where is that tent of mine?”
So, this was one of the two nights Allen tented next to me. The next night was the other one. I was hoping he was having a good time, but I did not see him for days at a time. The riders all have helmets and jerseys. Some of them change every day. In Bend we were going to camp together. After looking for two hours and then taking a shower, I put up my tent and still had no idea where Allen and Steve were. I looked on the board and his note was next to mine. He did not see it. His note said he was staying with Steve in his room. When you go with some one and plan on doing things together, forget it if it is a bike trip. Allen did his thing and I did mine and it worked out great.
So, I was always two hours later getting in than he was. I stopped and looked at things a lot and some times just talked to strangers.
So, I didn’t even see him on the last day. I hope he got home okay. If he didn’t, I guess he could ride it. The sixty-pound bag might be a problem. It wasn’t for me. Ilene and her mother were waiting for me. They had been there for four hours. I guess I forgot to tell them that I talk a lot. The good part is they got to see a lot of bikers, about four hours worth. They too never saw Allen as he rode by.
. . . So, I’m back to the first day. We got there around noon. We had a lot of the day left, so we took a walk through town and stopped at the two stores, then went across the street and looked at the grocery store, restaurant and tavern. That was town.
So, registration opened at 2:30 p.m. I was early. I guess I didn’t walk through town slow enough. So, it is hard to slow down.
Day I: Paisley to Silver Lake – 55 miles
Got up around 6:00 a.m., listened to the tent zippers from about 4:30 a.m. Breakfast was from 6:00 to 8:30. I got packed up and sorted out the things that were going back in the car. We slept good in the little two person tent.
As usual I left and the car was out of gas. Paisley had one station and the owners were very religious. Good thing they were Seven Day Adventists. They opened on Sunday, closed on Saturday. The next town was 50 miles and I don’t think there were two gallons left. So, Ilene filled up at $199.9/gal. (or it sure seemed like it), and was off to a casino. I couldn’t say much. She bought me a jersey from Full Sail beer.
I had a hard time but the ride was fun and I fed a pig three feet tall at lunch. Thank goodness for the fence or he would have eaten everyone’s’ lunch. The wind came up late in the day and it made it hard riding. Yes, it always blows at you 25 to 30 miles an hour.
Allen and Steve were going to save me a spot in the green grass. They were lost, but found me after I set up my tent. No big thing. I folded it up and moved to the green grass where there were no stickers or dust to worry about.
I don’t know if they did me a favor or not. We were right by the shower
truck that ran till 10:00 p.m. and started up at 5:00 a.m. It’s the thought that counts.
Day 2: Silver Lake to LaPine – 76 miles
We went to Fort Rock. It is a rock formation that has three sides and kind of looks like a fort. I met this guy from another state and we talked and walked for about three hours. It is fun to chat with new people.
I wasn’t going to take the van over to the cave where they found 10,000 year old moccasin’s, but changed my mind. It was good to see. This put me in camp about 6:00 p.m. Lost Allen again so put up tent, showered and went to bed.
Day 3: LaPine to Inn of the Seventh Mountain – 75 miles
It was a cool 40 degrees in the morning and in the 90’s later in the day. I saw Allen at lunch but he was finishing and I was starting, so he left to get lost again. I told him I would camp next to him since we were spending two days in the same spot.
We were told there was a big hill. It was steep but not long. Had some snacks at Bachelor Lodge, then down the other side. Forty-six miles an hour coming off Bachelor was all I could do. The handlebars are a blur with the vibration at this speed. Allen even got up to 38 MPH and that was good for him.
At camp I looked for Allen for two hours, then found a note on the board that he had gotten a room with Steve. So, I paid a kid to take me to a campsite and put up my tent. It was great, not next to anyone and a street light over my tent so I could see all night. It was bright enough to read by in my tent.
Allen found me again. I was glad he was having a good time.
Dave Salesky said it would rain tomorrow, but his reports have not been good. One night they booed him and it upset him a little. At Channel 8 he only gets email and phone calls, but a live crowd is harder to work with. Oh yes, he would not tell about Thursday and the crowd kept asking. The crowd had him frustrated. It was fun. It was like he made the weather and the wind to blow the way he wanted.
Later I found out the band was only three blocks away. I didn’t’ have a problem hearing it.
Day 4: Sisters for lunch and back – 69 miles
It’s a day off but not for me. Staying in camp or going to Bend is not what I came to do. The road to Sisters was down hill or most of it anyway. It was cold downhill with the wind, and we all know what happens the second half of the day, don’t we?
I saw some neat animals to take pictures of. It was like going to the zoo on your bike.
I didn’t see Allen all day. He didn’t ride; maybe tomorrow.
On a trip like this you can do your own thing. Almost everyone has their own transportation. There are tandems and some like riding together. 95% get a divorce after the trip.
Day 5: Bend to Antelope – 103 miles – population 36 people
How am I going to start this? Ah, let’s say I was anxious. The light over my tent was on all night and I looked at my clock and it said 5:00 a.m. Wrong. It was 4:00 a.m. and that is why there were no lines at the toilets (blue rooms). I got right in and then struck camp, set up my bike, water, and warm clothing. When I took up my bag and it was up against the front of the trailer and only about 15 bags were there loading, it hit me. I might be a little early. It might be a good thing to look and see what time it really was. Yes, 5:00 a.m. – time to get up; but I am ready to eat.
I walk my bike down and talk to the lady at the gate for a while and find out about her family. I then go over to the food line. I am 20th in line. I talk some more and then it’s time to eat. It opened a little early – about 5:45 a.m.
Since we camped at the Inn of the Seventh Mountain, there were no streetlights to Bend. It was dark, and I was so getting used to my streetlight.
The ride was downhill most of the way, but the head wind and 106 degree temperature made it fun. The view more than made up for it; it was out of this world. Going slow gave you more time to look at it.
The dinner at Antelope was the best. The roast melted in your mouth. Allen and Steve were there, or rather coming out as I was going in to dinner. I asked where they were tenting and it went like this: “Over there where the tents are 6 inches apart, by the post, then through the tents and turn at the cow pie, and over some more. Kind of in the middle. You can’t miss it; it’s an REI tent.” Yeah, right, and I have a blow up submarine in my bag that really takes you down under.
Day 6: Antelope to Dufur – 65 Miles
The Ghost town of Shaniko was a lot of fun. I spent time going through the town and the hotel. The old toilets were at the end of the hall and they were flush.
We went down forever and then up again. Near the top there were three of us singing White Christmas and some other songs too. It made the time and hill go fast. I did sing on key once or twice.
The bands were better this year and they were loud enough to be in my tent. I can sleep through anything.
One thing about getting into camp late, you didn’t have lines. I went to shower and I was the only one in there until some other guy came in and I hollered at him that he could not come in because it was too crowded. I think he thought he was in trouble. We had a good laugh over that one.
The last day is coming and I am sad. I can set up camp fast and strike it fast and am beginning to remember where I put my flashlight and alarm. I can even find it when it goes off.
Day 7: Dufur to Hood River – 52 miles
We went the old Columbia River hiway through the twin tunnels which have been closed for more than 50 years. We saw some graffiti dating back to around 1921, I think.
I kept asking this trivia question: “Where is the wind surfing capital of the world?” Answer: Hood River. Now think about that for a minute. “Which way does the wind blow?” Up River. “And we are going which way?”
The ride took you back in the woods where there was very little wind. It blows you around a lot on the points.
Ilene and Verna, her mother, were waiting for us at the finish line. No Allen. I put my bike in the car and told them that I was going to get a beer and eat something at the stands. My money was I n my bike bag and no key to the car. Now Ilene and her mother are lost. What to do? They find me. I get my Full Sail beer and something to eat.
What a great ride.
Yes, another day and no Allen. He is the easiest person to lose. His wife and daughter picked him up a 12 noon. It was 3 when I got in. He called me at 8:00 p.m. from home. It goes to show a first time rider doesn’t have a problem. Allen had a great time, and so did I. I do like these rides.
Byran on the side.
I think this is a new fad: when you start a story, you have to say “So.”
So, this is what happened – well some of what happened on Cycle 2000.
So, I paid my way to go months in advance to make sure I had a spot. Not a problem this time as only 1800 went and the ideal number is 2,000. I finally broke down and bought a jersey XL. It had better not shrink. I had no idea how many different XL sizes there are. I also bought a Full Sail jersey, or Ilene bought it for me. I can swim in it. It’s an XL too.
So, Allen and Lee, two guys from work, said they would go last year, but had excuses for not going. This year Allen signed up two months before it was time to go. I was glad to see him sign up. We were going to car pool in our car. Now I would have someone to talk to who would know what I was talking about. There are people who listen but without the ride can only imagine what it is all about. Until you put the shoes on and do the walk, you will never really know what it all about.
. . . . So, it was a warm day the day we left. I was fighting the flu and on medicine. I didn’t know if I could do it. Three weeks without training doesn’t help. The drive there was no problem. The new bike rack I built was working well. We left home at 5:30 a.m.; got lost getting to Allen’s house just 10 miles away. We left his house at 6:15. Destination: Paisley, Oregon.
So, Ilene drove and set up the tent and blew up the mattress. She stayed the first night with me. I like it when she comes. I held down the 3-legged chair. Work does fascinate me. It always amazes me how you can set up your tent and you are all by yourself, leave for a few minutes, and when you come back you can’t find it. The other tents are up when you get back and I think 10% are REI. It’s a fast tent to put up but way too popular! “Now where is that tent of mine?”
So, this was one of the two nights Allen tented next to me. The next night was the other one. I was hoping he was having a good time, but I did not see him for days at a time. The riders all have helmets and jerseys. Some of them change every day. In Bend we were going to camp together. After looking for two hours and then taking a shower, I put up my tent and still had no idea where Allen and Steve were. I looked on the board and his note was next to mine. He did not see it. His note said he was staying with Steve in his room. When you go with some one and plan on doing things together, forget it if it is a bike trip. Allen did his thing and I did mine and it worked out great.
So, I was always two hours later getting in than he was. I stopped and looked at things a lot and some times just talked to strangers.
So, I didn’t even see him on the last day. I hope he got home okay. If he didn’t, I guess he could ride it. The sixty-pound bag might be a problem. It wasn’t for me. Ilene and her mother were waiting for me. They had been there for four hours. I guess I forgot to tell them that I talk a lot. The good part is they got to see a lot of bikers, about four hours worth. They too never saw Allen as he rode by.
. . . So, I’m back to the first day. We got there around noon. We had a lot of the day left, so we took a walk through town and stopped at the two stores, then went across the street and looked at the grocery store, restaurant and tavern. That was town.
So, registration opened at 2:30 p.m. I was early. I guess I didn’t walk through town slow enough. So, it is hard to slow down.
Day I: Paisley to Silver Lake – 55 miles
Got up around 6:00 a.m., listened to the tent zippers from about 4:30 a.m. Breakfast was from 6:00 to 8:30. I got packed up and sorted out the things that were going back in the car. We slept good in the little two person tent.
As usual I left and the car was out of gas. Paisley had one station and the owners were very religious. Good thing they were Seven Day Adventists. They opened on Sunday, closed on Saturday. The next town was 50 miles and I don’t think there were two gallons left. So, Ilene filled up at $199.9/gal. (or it sure seemed like it), and was off to a casino. I couldn’t say much. She bought me a jersey from Full Sail beer.
I had a hard time but the ride was fun and I fed a pig three feet tall at lunch. Thank goodness for the fence or he would have eaten everyone’s’ lunch. The wind came up late in the day and it made it hard riding. Yes, it always blows at you 25 to 30 miles an hour.
Allen and Steve were going to save me a spot in the green grass. They were lost, but found me after I set up my tent. No big thing. I folded it up and moved to the green grass where there were no stickers or dust to worry about.
I don’t know if they did me a favor or not. We were right by the shower
truck that ran till 10:00 p.m. and started up at 5:00 a.m. It’s the thought that counts.
Day 2: Silver Lake to LaPine – 76 miles
We went to Fort Rock. It is a rock formation that has three sides and kind of looks like a fort. I met this guy from another state and we talked and walked for about three hours. It is fun to chat with new people.
I wasn’t going to take the van over to the cave where they found 10,000 year old moccasin’s, but changed my mind. It was good to see. This put me in camp about 6:00 p.m. Lost Allen again so put up tent, showered and went to bed.
Day 3: LaPine to Inn of the Seventh Mountain – 75 miles
It was a cool 40 degrees in the morning and in the 90’s later in the day. I saw Allen at lunch but he was finishing and I was starting, so he left to get lost again. I told him I would camp next to him since we were spending two days in the same spot.
We were told there was a big hill. It was steep but not long. Had some snacks at Bachelor Lodge, then down the other side. Forty-six miles an hour coming off Bachelor was all I could do. The handlebars are a blur with the vibration at this speed. Allen even got up to 38 MPH and that was good for him.
At camp I looked for Allen for two hours, then found a note on the board that he had gotten a room with Steve. So, I paid a kid to take me to a campsite and put up my tent. It was great, not next to anyone and a street light over my tent so I could see all night. It was bright enough to read by in my tent.
Allen found me again. I was glad he was having a good time.
Dave Salesky said it would rain tomorrow, but his reports have not been good. One night they booed him and it upset him a little. At Channel 8 he only gets email and phone calls, but a live crowd is harder to work with. Oh yes, he would not tell about Thursday and the crowd kept asking. The crowd had him frustrated. It was fun. It was like he made the weather and the wind to blow the way he wanted.
Later I found out the band was only three blocks away. I didn’t’ have a problem hearing it.
Day 4: Sisters for lunch and back – 69 miles
It’s a day off but not for me. Staying in camp or going to Bend is not what I came to do. The road to Sisters was down hill or most of it anyway. It was cold downhill with the wind, and we all know what happens the second half of the day, don’t we?
I saw some neat animals to take pictures of. It was like going to the zoo on your bike.
I didn’t see Allen all day. He didn’t ride; maybe tomorrow.
On a trip like this you can do your own thing. Almost everyone has their own transportation. There are tandems and some like riding together. 95% get a divorce after the trip.
Day 5: Bend to Antelope – 103 miles – population 36 people
How am I going to start this? Ah, let’s say I was anxious. The light over my tent was on all night and I looked at my clock and it said 5:00 a.m. Wrong. It was 4:00 a.m. and that is why there were no lines at the toilets (blue rooms). I got right in and then struck camp, set up my bike, water, and warm clothing. When I took up my bag and it was up against the front of the trailer and only about 15 bags were there loading, it hit me. I might be a little early. It might be a good thing to look and see what time it really was. Yes, 5:00 a.m. – time to get up; but I am ready to eat.
I walk my bike down and talk to the lady at the gate for a while and find out about her family. I then go over to the food line. I am 20th in line. I talk some more and then it’s time to eat. It opened a little early – about 5:45 a.m.
Since we camped at the Inn of the Seventh Mountain, there were no streetlights to Bend. It was dark, and I was so getting used to my streetlight.
The ride was downhill most of the way, but the head wind and 106 degree temperature made it fun. The view more than made up for it; it was out of this world. Going slow gave you more time to look at it.
The dinner at Antelope was the best. The roast melted in your mouth. Allen and Steve were there, or rather coming out as I was going in to dinner. I asked where they were tenting and it went like this: “Over there where the tents are 6 inches apart, by the post, then through the tents and turn at the cow pie, and over some more. Kind of in the middle. You can’t miss it; it’s an REI tent.” Yeah, right, and I have a blow up submarine in my bag that really takes you down under.
Day 6: Antelope to Dufur – 65 Miles
The Ghost town of Shaniko was a lot of fun. I spent time going through the town and the hotel. The old toilets were at the end of the hall and they were flush.
We went down forever and then up again. Near the top there were three of us singing White Christmas and some other songs too. It made the time and hill go fast. I did sing on key once or twice.
The bands were better this year and they were loud enough to be in my tent. I can sleep through anything.
One thing about getting into camp late, you didn’t have lines. I went to shower and I was the only one in there until some other guy came in and I hollered at him that he could not come in because it was too crowded. I think he thought he was in trouble. We had a good laugh over that one.
The last day is coming and I am sad. I can set up camp fast and strike it fast and am beginning to remember where I put my flashlight and alarm. I can even find it when it goes off.
Day 7: Dufur to Hood River – 52 miles
We went the old Columbia River hiway through the twin tunnels which have been closed for more than 50 years. We saw some graffiti dating back to around 1921, I think.
I kept asking this trivia question: “Where is the wind surfing capital of the world?” Answer: Hood River. Now think about that for a minute. “Which way does the wind blow?” Up River. “And we are going which way?”
The ride took you back in the woods where there was very little wind. It blows you around a lot on the points.
Ilene and Verna, her mother, were waiting for us at the finish line. No Allen. I put my bike in the car and told them that I was going to get a beer and eat something at the stands. My money was I n my bike bag and no key to the car. Now Ilene and her mother are lost. What to do? They find me. I get my Full Sail beer and something to eat.
What a great ride.
Yes, another day and no Allen. He is the easiest person to lose. His wife and daughter picked him up a 12 noon. It was 3 when I got in. He called me at 8:00 p.m. from home. It goes to show a first time rider doesn’t have a problem. Allen had a great time, and so did I. I do like these rides.
Byran on the side.
posted by Byran on the side at 10:21 AM
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