HeyHo, I am dropping this text slug (some would call it a sentence) into the front of this post to add some unique content to this post.
SportsGist.com and the SG Constellation of sites is a sponsor of the Globla Agents for Change 2008 ride. Go Team ! Yay !
Riding Leggett Hill
After several attempts made by our heroic ride coordinators, I was finally awoken by the frigid air of an empty tent once filled with six anxious riders. I let out a grunt of confusion and frustration at the ungodly hour everyone was awaken. Nervous voices plagued the air, and still unable to fully open my sleepy eyes, I knew the longtime dreaded morning had finally come: today we were to climb Legett Hill. For those unaware of the legend of LegGett, please be informed that this was claimed to be “the longest, most steepest, and most brutal hill man had ever cycled, aka death mountain.” This monstrosity was to separate those who would make it to Tijuana and those who would be left on the side of the road. As you can imagine, looks of excitement were plastered on everyone’s faces.
The generous rations of a whole banana per rider and ice cream flavored skittles given out at breakfast encouraged a more optimistic mood amongst the group. After much anticipation, we felt ready to meet our fate face to face. Our tires hit the concrete and we were off. Tentative peddling towards LEGGETT HILL seemed endless; when was this incline going to begin?! Road signs warning us of switchbacks and steep inclines reinforced our feelings of pending doom. Silence fell upon the pod I rode with and acceptance of our fate was calmly expressed by quick glances silently muttering, “it was nice knowing you.”
A small incline of a half an hour felt like a tease of the monstrosity we were about to experience. The encouraging notes carved in chalk by riders ahead of us seemed to mock our beliefs that we could make it up this legend. However, once we began to fly down the narrow switchbacks back into the cool northern Californian fog, there were questions of the validity of this myth… Could that have been it? Did I just hold a conversation up the entirety of LEGGETT HILL?? I shook my head in disbelief, was this all a hoax? or have we become cycling machines, able to attack Legett with ease?
Our questions were answered when the chalk on the pavement suggested a congratulatory dance party at the bottom of the epic downhill. However, my stubborn skepticism kept me suspicious of our “achievement.” But when I took the last pedal up the crest of the incline only to be welcomed by a row of 5 bare white cyclist butts, my doubts were erased; I lifted my fist with pride and let out a burst of laughter. We had completed the LEGEND OF LEGGETT and had not even realized it.
Emilie Whittemore – 2008 rider
(*note -the 2007 ride team is impressed by the ease with which the ‘08 team took on Leggett Hill…perhaps a hill climbing duel is in order on their return!)
Posted June 19th, 2008 by Shawn
Hello hello to all the loyal readers of Riding to Break the Cycle 2008!
We know the blog has been a bit quiet lately, and honestly its just a combination of a looot of camping lately (no internet), and the rigours of daily riding and group activities not leaving a lot of extra time. Will be doing our best to keep as up to date as possible, and definitely appreciate all of the support!!
We thought we’d share a bit of the experience today, check out a run down of the typical ride day morning from the perspective of Alain, one of this amazing rider team…
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So what does a typical morning look like?
Whether I awake on a camp site at a State Park, a Methodist Church or a Community Youth Centre, I’ve got the same routine. Roll up my Thermorest sleeping pad, my MEC +10C sleeping bag, and my newly purchased travel pillow and pack them away into a big REI duffel bag donated by my friend Phil in Seattle. Then I’m off to check on my bike, adding lube to my chain and wiping the extra off, checking the brake pads, pumping up the tires. I haven’t had a flat yet – which I attribute to keeping the pressure up in my tire tubes (slightly over 100 psi) and checking my tires for embedded foreign objects like glass or rocks. And finally I change into my bike clothing for the day, eat breakfast (usually cereal or oatmeal along with bananas and bagels), wash my dishes, and load my pack into the trailer.
Then we have a Route meeting, where ride leaders Emma and Jess distribute route maps for the day, and explain the itinerary we are taking, where the support van will stop for lunch, what alternative scenic routes we can take, and where we will be staying overnight that day. The directions have mileage counts on them so that we can keep track of when we’ll need to turn approximately – which makes me glad I purchased my CatEye cycle computer.
Once the meeting’s done, we stock up on snacks and fill up our water bottles or hydration packs. Then we organize ourselves in pods – small riding groups – and we’re off on the road.
Alain Wong – 2008 rider
We’ve covered over 600 miles, about 1000 km now, and I’m still alive. The Oregon coast has been good to us.
So what does a typical morning look like?
Whether I awake on a camp site at a State Park, a Methodist Church or a Community Youth Centre, I’ve got the same routine. Roll up my Thermorest sleeping pad, my MEC +10C sleeping bag, and my newly purchased travel pillow and pack them away into a big REI duffel bag donated by my friend Phil in Seattle. Then I’m off to check on my bike, adding lube to my chain and wiping the extra off, checking the brake pads, pumping up the tires. I haven’t had a flat yet – which I attribute to keeping the pressure up in my tire tubes (slightly over 100 psi) and checking my tires for embedded foreign objects like glass or rocks. And finally I change into my bike clothing for the day, eat breakfast (usually cereal or oatmeal along with bananas and bagels), wash my dishes, and load my pack into the trailer.
Then we have a Route meeting, where ride leaders Emma and Jess distribute route maps for the day, and explain the itinerary we are taking, where the support van will stop for lunch, what alternative scenic routes we can take, and where we will be staying overnight that day. The directions have mileage counts on them so that we can keep track of when we’ll need to turn approximately – which makes me glad I purchased my CatEye cycle computer.
Once the meeting’s done, we stock up on snacks and fill up our water bottles or hydration packs. Then we organize ourselves in pods – small riding groups – and we’re off on the road.
Written by Alain Wong – 2008 rider
nehalem-bay-2, originally uploaded by globalagent007.
The entry below was written yesterday by Sonia Paul, one of the Riding to Break the Cycle 2008 team members!
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Today we woke up and THE SUN WAS SHINING!!! If you’ve been keeping up with this blog, you know exactly how much rain we have been going through and finally, for the first time since we started out in Vancouver, we were able to wear shorts right from the start in the morning.
The day started off with breakfast at the campsite in Newport, provided to us by wonderful hosts and consisting of cereal, bagels, strawberries and bananas. The sun put us all in a very good mood, and we were quickly on the road and taking in deep sighs of breath as we passed the Pacific Ocean on our right. The Oregon coastline is just incredible. I can’t believe I’ve never been here before and only live a one day car ride away! Every view is worth taking a picture of – our pod stopped in Yachats for about three hours and just hung out, had a great lunch of sandwiches with guacamole dip and fresh mozzarella, and just soaked in the sunshine and the beautiful coast. We then proceeded to complete the rest of the ride and it was funny when we said, oh, just another 25 miles to go, piece of cake! I used to think that was an enormous distance just a couple of weeks ago.
We got into Florence to one too many amazing surprises. First, right before we reached the church we are staying at, we ran into some incredible sand dunes. So much fun, and in the middle of nowhere! I just can’t comprehend the sudden change in landscape from rainforest fauna, the endless ocean to these enormous sand dunes, but they were so much fun. We tried sliding down them with sleds, but that didn’t work to well, so we ended up rolling down the hills and jumping around instead. Second, when we finally did reach our destination for the night, we were amazed to discover a hearty Oriental style meal cooked by a chef in training, complete with chopsticks. After having camped for the last four days and eaten camp food, we were just so grateful for this change. Just imagine, 25 ravenous riders, sitting at proper tables and chairs, enjoying a full course meal complete with apple crisp dessert. It was incredible! Our hosts here in Florence from the Community Baptist Church are so welcoming and have made our day just brilliant.
Not only did our hosts provide us with the food, showers and laundry, but they went above and beyond to give each of us a gift of a handmade wooden pen, each unique pen made from the local scotch broom plant. The moment was just such an inspiration. It’s heartwarming to discover the number of people along this coast who are cheering us on and looking out for us!
2008 RTBTC Rider- Sonia Paul
day+2+022, originally uploaded by globalagent007.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Today: 2:26:34 (time of actual peddling); 30.9 miles / 49.44 km
Total Trip (from Grandview Park, Vancouver): 5:27:36 (time); 68.4 miles / 109.44 km; average speed 11 m/hr; max speed 36.32 m/hr; average cadence 53
A day can change everything.
Yesterday all I could see were miles of painful and frustrating cycling made worse by the facts that I’m not allowed to listen to music while I ride and I miss my boyfriend. Today the blinders are off. I see more. There are some seriously cool people on this trip, and by being on it, I’ve met so many more already. On my way to Starbucks to steal the wireless internet and email said boyfriend, I ran into a group of people on the street corner handing out lovely delicious, free, vegan food. They apparently do this every Sunday. I thought to myself, if I can’t grab the free grub while biking to Mexico for charity, when can I? So instead of walking past the strange, happy hippies, I stopped to chat. While eating some gorgeous guacamole we talked microcredit. Someone else on the street corner eating the free food came over to talk. His name is Willow. Willow is a surfer-type – shaggy blond hair and a tanned winded face with a relaxed attitude and a guitar strapped around his chest – and also an amateur film maker. He has taught himself how to shoot and edit. He also makes music. Willow’s outside right now interviewing Adam. He’s going to make a video for us and post it on youTube. I think that’s pretty great.
While Willow films, our ride leader, Emma, is showing our hosts her skills on a uni-cycle while the cooks brew up a second batch of ‘bean mush’ on the BBQ and a few neighbourhood kids rip around on their mountain bikes. I think someone’s trying to figure out what to do about the dishes. The sun is setting and the mosquitoes are coming out, which should drive a few of us who are over 21 to the nearest pub. I hear this town is great for coffee and beer. Kyle, the awesome guy who runs the Hub – our host organization for the evening – made me one of the best americanos of my life when I rolled in. I think it only thorough that I find out if he’s also right about the beer.
I’m sitting in the office of The Hub. Kyle kindly cleared a space on the desk for my computer. On it, though pushed to the edges, are dozens of random items, from a bike tools and henna paste to a pamphlet titled “fighting for our lives: an anarchist primer.” The walls are covered in pinned-up postcards, photos, flags and sketches. The office itself is crammed with boxes and loose stuff, and it’s the best spot to sleep tonight. There has already been some tension about who’s going to get to sleep on the floor, as the rest have to find space on the concrete floor of the bike shop. Glamorous, this is not. But it is fun.
Today we biked from South Surrey to the border where we played some fun photography games under the Peach Arch: snakes in a blender produced some especially good shots. We then rode the 25 miles or so to Bellingham, largely along the quiet country roads of Whatcom County. There’s something particularly painful about knowing you are only going 7 miles and hour and your destination is Mexico. That said, there’s something quiet and magical about cycling; you see things on a bike you’d never see in a car. On a bike you’re on the shoulder of the road and can peek over bridges to see the lily pads in a pond or the subtle interaction between two old friends as they do yard work or appreciate the dilapidated barn that’s quietly sinking into a field of tall grass and dandelions. The smells are great too. It might not be quite so idyllic on the 101, but today was warm bordering on muggy; the air was soft. It smelled of sun on fruit bushes and sometimes of cut grass. When I didn’t want to throw up or cry, it was really quite nice
day-6-oregon-beach, originally uploaded by globalagent007.
So I’ve found internet in the parking lot of the Tillamook cheese factory. At first I was sitting in the van, typing among bagels, peanut butter (generously donated to us by the Youth Center in Seaside!) cream cheese, bananas, and hungry riders, but unfortunately a large RV parked itself between me and the connection so I am sitting outside on the curb. It’s chilly. But not raining!!! Finally, it’s amazing how much everyone’s spirits lift when the sun comes out. Not that I’d call this sunny, just a nice lack of water pouring down.
This morning we began our day by being treated to a yummy, big and warm breakfast by Father Paul of Nehalem Bay (pronounced Nah-Hay-Lem). With unlimited coffee! Warm drinks, especially with a caffeine lift in them are so appreciated after going to bed exhausted and waking up to another day of cycling. I have become a coffee addict – I thought it would never happen, but now as I realize the change that comes over me when I have a mug of it. I feel like it’s just the best thing to do for the team. Like showering, or wearing clean clothing…
Oregon is beautiful! Spectacular, fabulous, stupendously incredible, wonderfully gorgeous. We stop at every lookout point to oggle at the view. Wow, it makes me ever more grateful to be on this adventure.
Something else that makes me ever grateful is the kindness of our mom and support driver Karin. She’s always looking out for the team and happy to see us! Go Karin!
We’ll be putting up some more pictures soon. Tonight is the second of three nights of camping in a row, so there isnt much around but when we have internet again we’ll send something more out to you all. It’s great to be able to receive the blog comments as well. It is something that certainly warms our hearts to know that people are courious about our journey. I am glad to tell you that everyone is safe and sound despite ridiculous logging trucks, rain, and unpredictable weather. The plastic grocery bags we at first refused to use have become our best friends as they keep our toes dry.
Thank you for listening!
sincerely Emma – 2008 Ride Leader
After a restful night at the Stanwood United Methodist Church, we woke up to an amazing hot breakfast made for us by Sir Robert and Bob, including waffles, eggs, a potato and cheese casserole, sausages, and coffee! It was delicious and just the boost we needed, because when we woke up and looked outside we realized it had been pouring rain for hours with no signs of stopping. So after breakfast we packed up our backs, put on our rain gear and set off for Seattle.
During the ride, many of us discovered that we enjoyed riding in the rain, and multiple pods were singing along the way. After riding out of Stanwood for a while, our direction led us to a great 18 mile bike path called the Snohomesh County Trailhead- no traffic, lined with trees, and wide enough for three people to ride side by side. Shortly after the trail ended, we met up with the support van to grab a quick lunch before we continued on our way.
As the rain continued to pour, we rode along Highway 9 next to the semi trucks and school buses spraying us with waves of water. We spinned our way up some long hills and then down again, through the town of Bothel and then took the Burke-Gilman Trail into Seattle. Hours later and with the help of some locals, we all eventually found our way to the house where half of us will be staying for the next two days. All in all we ended up biking 74 miles, or 119 kilometres!
Tomorrow is our first day off, and we’re all excited to sleep in, explore Seattle and give our legs a rest.
Laura – 2008 rider