We were joking about all the sheriff search and rescue practicing for disaster along our route, but as we got into some serious climbing we concentrated on the road ahead. Another day, another 3,500 feet of climbing. However, this day also offered 4,000 feet of downhill. From mile 20 to about mile 65, it's all downhill. I got behind Chris Drews, as did Carrie Sundahl, and Lourie and Doug Wainwright. We flew down that mountain.
On the next day, John Hockenbury and I stopped for Breakfast at an Estacada lounge 0.8 of a mile into the route. Most of the Wheelmen stopped for an early lunch/late breakfast in Canby, 20 miles towards McMinnville, our destination. Leaving Estacada, we tackled a 15% grade. After that, however, we were treated to some really fun rollers, the kind you can roll to the top of if you build up enough speed in the trough. John and I got inside the Newell House Museum at mile 38, even though it was officially closed to the general public. The manager, who was picking up the mail when we rode by, decided we'd come too far to be denied. If you can get in, it's a very interesting place and an especially interesting history lesson. "Doc" Newell fathered a small army, cut the western end of the Oregon Trail, and was one of Oregon's founding fathers. For the details, buy a ticket to the museum. Riding up to the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville, we faced down Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose, which could be clearly seen through the glass wall of the museum. It's huge; I'll leave it at that.
A few people devised their own route for day five, but most of us stayed put. We pitched our tents in a lovely oak grove behind the museum and we had the campground to ourselves. The showers were so hot that for awhile they were a hazard, but they cooled off eventually. With the Aviation Museum, Space Museum, and from one to three films at the I-Max Theater to choose from, the day flew by. The Wheelmen got a $5 discount if you bought a museum and I-Max package. I saw a 3D documentary on the Space Station. Way cool. I would count it as a religious experience. Seriously. If all of these options aren't enough, there are glider rides available (for a price) at Cascade Soaring across the highway.
Well rested, we took off for Philomath on day six. Dallas, 27 miles in, is the only place on the 62-mile route offering food and water. Avoid McCain. That's a dead-end road. Philomath High School offers limited facilities – two toilets and only a few showers for the guys. But the water was hot. That night it drizzled and rained a little, the only inclement weather for the entire trip, besides some gusty evening winds.
Heading back to Eugene the next morning, we were all on the lookout for "Barney Fife," the Philomath policeman who "hates bicyclists" because they don't yield to traffic, don't stop at stop signs, and go the wrong way on city streets. He had threatened us all, through our sag man Bob Mutchler, with citations for any infractions of the law. Barney was a no show on day seven, however. Forty-six miles later and another 1,600 feet of climbing and we were back in Eugene. Some of us stayed another night at Shasta Middle School; some of us headed out.
Overall, this tour was about fresh air, smooth roads and good times. Sound familiar? Oregon roads are definitely a cut above what I'm used to in California. During the tour, we were entertained by the three musketeers – Pete Becker, Ward Schroeder, and Don DuPage. Pete and Don did most of the guitar playing. I think Don has committed to memory everything by Neil Young. As usual, Sandy Yarrow held court, i-Pod stereo and wine at the ready. Two newcomers from Redding, Judy French and Nancy Simpson, were among the strongest riders out there. I ate my humble pie.
Carrying on the tradition, we heaved the Huffy throughout the week. We used last year's Huffy, which was badly beat up from day one. By the last contest, the handlebar flew off and put a dent in the hood of the LeMeur's van. Long before that, there was some grumbling about the Huffy competition. "This is a chiropractor's dream," I heard someone say. However, everyone got into it. "We can cook and we can throw!" Yarrow yelled. Funny, she wasn't so enthusiastic 30 minutes beforehand. The farthest toss was by Larry Merlo, 66 feet, with Robert Samms in second place with 65 feet. The Support team made up of Mike Snyder, Andy Hefenderfer and Tim Koch were the lead team with an average of 46 feet. Bob Mutchler and Annie Slade were also on that team but had medical exemptions. The Waller Cook Crew came in second with a 44.5 foot average. The Choates Cook Crew came in last and had to do the morning cook duties for Saturday morning on the last day. One injury occurred. Super Dave Clifton scored his hand tossing the Huffy by its chain.
In the end, the Huffy competition does its part to bring people together. So do the cook crew assignments. The cycling, the camping, the cooking, and the evening's entertainment combine and add up to something. Yes, it's a good deal. It's also a unique experience. How important is it? Some people join because of the Oregon Tour and then, based on that experience, start participating in the weekend rides, the weekday morning rides, and the Zodiacs. The tour is not meant to be the most challenging cycling the club does, but it certainly registers on the Hockenbury "fun meter." And that's important.
Key players in the tour are Tim Koch, Rich Percival and Nick Hourigan. Tim takes care of all the logistics and is the official leader of the tour. He did a fantastic job, again. Percival does the maps. These were sent by email and we were able to print out color overviews for each day, with elevation profiles for each day. Nick was the bicycle repair guru. Annie Slade and Mutchier provided sag support. |
