June 24-25th Montana Three Forks to Big Timber

The 24th saw our group at the headwaters of the Missouri River near Three Rivers, Montana (First picture). There is a state park giving information about the area. We climbed some hills and rode past graves of infants lost during the travels of the early pioneers on their westward journey.

On the 25th we rode east toward Big Timber crossing the Rockies at Bozeman pass at 5760 feet above sea level. Once over the pass the remainder of the day's ride into Big Timber was rolling hills and flat descending into the valley. Sixty three miles today. Remaining pictures are of our group at Bozeman Pass, Sandy and me at a rest area where we stopped in a field and then a view of the area's snow capped mountains and the road to tomorrow. We've ridden back roads and on the Interstate highways seeing America up close and personal.

June 24th and 25th

Travels of June 15, 16 and 17 Missoula, Ovando and Lincoln, Montana

Pictures from the past three days. Can't begin to capture the beauty. I could stay here forever. I understand why they call Montana the Big Sky country. Warm days, blue skies, scenery beyond imagination and little wind. Great riding!
To see the days pictures, click on the picture below. Included are our motel accommodations which get better every day, a few side attractions and dinner, and the beauty that is Montana.

Photos from June 15, 16 and 17

June 5, 2008 Hood River to Biggs Oregon

View today's photos at http://picasaweb.google.com/fegdvm/June52008HoodRiverToBiggsOregon

June 4, 2008 segment from Portland to Hood River Oregon

Passed through the Columbia River gorge today on the way from Portland to Hood River. Multnomah Falls and a trillion others lined the way along our non-state highway portion of the path. Stayed at a restored historic Hood River Hotel in downtown Hood River. Small rooms in those days but comfortable bed and a good night's rest before pedaling onward. Pictures available at http://picasaweb.google.com/fegdvm/June42008PortlandToHoodRiverSegment

June 3, 2008 pictures from Ranier to Portland Oregon

Still in learning mode. Pictures can be found here http://picasaweb.google.com/fegdvm/June32008PicturesFromRanierToPortlandOregon

Link to photos for June 2, 2008. Trip segment from Astoria to Ranier

I am trying a new thing...uploading our pictures to view them at your lesiure should you so desire. This is a learning experience so please be patient. To view the pictures, just click below.

http://picasaweb.google.com/fegdvm/AstoriaORToRanierORSegment

Visiting Astoria and our first group meeting

We arrived a few days early before the tour beginning just to settle in and see a few sites. The Astoria column pictured is a monument high on a hill overlooking the Columbia River. It's about a 2 mile bike ride up at a 23 degree climb (the steepest mountains thus far have been about a 7 or 8 % grade for comparison). From the top, the view was remarkable. Notes won't coincide because I am late trying to catch up with my blog posts. The folks pictured are members of our group at our first map meeting. Map meetings are a nightly ritual after the day's ride where we learn what lies ahead and go over the route, weather, accommodations, etc. Couldn't ask for a nicer group of people to spend three months riding across the continent with. I am trying to get the hang of the blog stuff so please bear with me. Try clicking here to see the pictures I referred to but couldn't get to come on line. Well, that didn't work so cut and paste this into your browser and wel];ll see if it works. I tried it and it did. I will try to become more proficient with time. http://picasaweb.google.com/fegdvm/AstoriaAndTheBeginingPlanning

The beginning of the journey. Starting on May 29th, 2008 To see all of the day's pictures, right click on the picture.

First day of the trip

Catch up blog post

Hi all.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

It's late and tomorrow is only 42 miles but with a 4000 foot vertical climb. We have 500+ miles under our belts and are getting stronger though we were thankful for our rest day today. This has been some other kind of adventure. Our group numbered fifteen until last night when one of our 'segment' riders departed. Today we were joined by another couple so now we number sixteen. So far, all very nice folks and there is a great deal of camaraderie. We come from California to New York to Seattle to Florida to Canada. One of the couples' spouse is from Britain, so all-round quite a crew and I am learning to speak English from Jim. He brought his guitar and it is a joy to play a bit to unwind as he lets me use it.

Have to confess that until now I hadn't posted to the blog because 1) I lost my password. 2) I was too beat. and 3) I was too beat. After today's rest I will try to do better and include some pictures and make up for lost time though I won't have any cell coverage for several days and thus won't be able to get on line.

Rather than ramble further, I have attached a blog of one of our companions. He is a speedy rider and is usually at the motel an hour before me and he sends his stuff to his wife to edit and post to his blog so I don't feel too bad. He is really talented and you can see his very detailed map of where we have been and where I am going.

Final comment to Steve and Paul whom I ride with back at home...particularly Paul. We have been spending a fair amount of time riding on interstate highways, so what you once considered fearless in my riding abilities is now listed under 'tame'.

I'm desperately trying to keep up on my blogging...both time and knowledge constraints. One of our group is very much more computer savvy than I am and he sends stuff to his wife who is back home and a librarian. She helps with the grammar, spelling etc. and the result is fantastic. Sandy and I will be in some of his pictures but it will give you a better idea as to what we have been doing. Calvin's blog URL is http://www.cycal.blogspot.com/

Sleep tight. I know I will. Destination tomorrow: Winchester Idaho. Weather....SNOW!!!

TTFN