Well we are back home and back to life. GREAT to have m dogs back. I think I miss them too much to be away from them for 2 weeks so we did the long drive straight through. So much going through my head after being away for so long. The first week was partly a work trip, assessing bike infrastructure in other areas, especially Oregon and Portland. The second week was a long bike ride, 400+ miles with Cycle Oregon. As for the work part, I cant give Portland (PDX) and OR enough praise. I thought Davis was bike friendly till this state shamed them. Davis might have great infrastructure but PDX has the attitude. Never have I seen such courteous, patient drivers. I was constantly amazed by the civility on the roadways. Cars actually stopped to let pedestrians cross and get this, even cyclists when the car had the right of way. After one day of just riding 3 miles in Redlands in all feels like a dream as I watch motorists fail to yield to peds at crosswalks with flashing lights in front of a school. The neighborhood greenways were amazing. We had the pleasure of using Going St. and found it a pleasure. And check this out, they have a bike path that floats on the river to keep it continuous. We struggle to get pavement on a funded trail for 3 years and these folks getting a floating bike path. All in all, its a culture of that sees living in a give a little mentality makes it better for everyone. I know it might seem I am overstating the experience but just take one trip to PDX and see what living in a highly less stress situation can do to ones soul. Plus you saw all the pics of the beer and food, so thats another plus. The second week was Cycle Oregon. It was a great route and saw many parts of OR that you never hear as part of the state, usually its the rain you hear about. But their high desert is quite lovely around the Deschutes river. Mt. Hood amazing. Lots of back country roads with hardly any vehicles. Cool small towns and nice people. As for the organization that puts on the event, its nice to see them give so much back to communities and advocacy. They are even funding planning for a major bike path in OR. Too bad no organizations in CA do that, hear that Tour of CA? The only knock I would give it is the food. it was just OK and lunch was mostly a disappointment. The SAGs were a joke, worst I have ever seen. Dinner was good, breakfast was redundant, eggs and oatmeal. Colleen didnt appreciate the eggs late at night in the tent and after a few more nights I didnt either. Not sure of the smell will come out of the pjs. I think Bicycle Tour of CO is better and appreciate slightly less people. Plus I like eating in new towns and bars. The towns we visited were pretty much empty. All in all , it was a great time and looking forward to returning for the Naked Bike Ride in June.
Posted on: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 03:00:33 +0000
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