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

We stopped for lunch at Bay View Park where we also relaxed, stretched and played frisbee. Then we continued on our way through flat wind swept farmland. Along the flat straights we got practice in drafting (riding close to one another so the person in front of you breaks the wind and you take turns in front).

By 6 pm everyone arrived in Stanwood to our welcoming hosts at Stanwood United Methodist Church after a 80 kilometer ride. We are staying at this church because last years riders needed a place to stay at the last minute and they opened their doors, and we are thankful to be back again! Members of the congregation provided us with a delicious potluck dinner and then we gave a presentation about Riding to Break the Cycle, Global Agents for Change and microcredit.

We ended the night with a group gathering about logistics and responsibilities that was filled with many laughs. Soon thereafter everyone was feeling very tired and headed to bed. So on that note, I too will say goodbye and head to bed. Check back in tomorrow to read about our ride to Seattle!

-Jackie, 2008 Rider

The 50 km ride was even cheered on by a herd of cows who seemed to be gathering by a fence, all their heads raised as we passed by.

We arrived at the Community Bike Shop in South Bellingham to find a small one-storey building, which seemed to be full of hidden corners. The place was littered with used bikes. All of them donated. They get repaired here, then are sold off. It’s a pretty sweet place! Complete with a “suicide machine” (a kind of homemade unicycle that many of the riders tried to balance on), and a barbecue (where our wonderful cooks made beans, potatoes, salad).

We showered at a nearby YMCA, used their sauna and steam room! So good! We found ourselves a documentary-guitarist-song-writer dude who came and interviewed some of us! Keep your eyes peeled for a mini-documentary on YouTube!

Although, South Bellingham seemed pretty slow on a Sunday night, our team got the party started. We hooked up some speakers to a laptop, got some bike lights (our strobe lights) and created our own club in one of the rooms in the bike shop! Dancing the night away, everyone was busting out some pretty sweet moves! Definite good times (hopefully we can link up some footage from it!)! We even turned many cycling terms into crazy dance moves! No need to look for a party, the Global AFC team is ALWAYS a party!

-Phillipe Murphy, 2008 Rider

Stay posted here to get updates, pics and videos from the ride!

This epic 7 week journey departed May 31st, 2008 and we will be on the road for most of the next SEVEN WEEKS. Stay tuned for updates to come,

Shawn  – Global Agents for Change