UPDATE, 22 October 2008

David and Chiva are taking a break from the Tour de Dog but are sure to plan another ride in the near future. A sincere thank you to all of you who helped David and Chiva in countless ways. The Tour de Dog would not be possible without your support. THANK YOU!

View a Photo Documentary of Tour de Dog by Jason Houge

Tour de Dog is past states: Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ontario, and New York.


Saturday, March 29, 2008

Weathering the Willamette


As I pedaled south from Portland and thru the Willamette Valley, Chiva and I experienced it all: headwind, hail, snow, freezing rain, and my least favorite, 37 degree rain.
I now find myself spoiled in a king-size bed at the Hilton Hotel in Eugene reminiscing the previous unpredictable days of travel. My good friend Zach graciously gave me his room for the weekend to clean and to recharge. Thank you Zach!!!
Here is an experience of bike touring I would like to share:
A few miles outside the small town of St. Paul, Oregon, I found an out-of-the-way campsite on an Oregon farm. Heavy rainfall persisted all night and into the morning. After biking about a quarter mile, I realized my rear tire was flat. In a downpour, I removed the wheel from the frame but simultaneously and foolishly lost the tightening knob to the mud. Big mistake! Although I fixed the flat, there was no way to reattach the wheel. Thirty minutes of frantic searching and digging got me nowhere, and I had no choice but to start walking several miles back into town.
My hands were now too cold to grip anything, so I undid Chiva’s rope with my teeth and headed for the road. Luckily, we soon scored a ride to a hardware store, and I was able to assemble a temporary fix. Still cold, wet, and muddy, I then proceeded to Huber’s Family Restaurant and had the best tasting coffee and omelet of my life (and a sweet lady even picked up my bill). Needless to say, I picked up several extra knobs at the next bike shop.
The lesson here is bike touring is not always going to be glamorous. With a flexible and positive attitude as well as the ability to learn and to adapt along the way, I know I will be just fine.
Here are a few pictures from this leg of the trek:

PDX
I must have crossed the Willamette at least 8 times

Somewhere on an Oregon farm

Can I please come in? Pretty please?

This is how we do

Chiva in Corvalis

Checking in at the Hilton in Eugene. Hot tub time!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dave,

Your check-in at the Hilton says it all. Keep it up, your support crew are 100% behind you!

Martin

Anonymous said...

Hi David,
We love reading and looking at the photos. Got behind and are just catching up today and note you have been to the hallowed country of Goldendale. That is where Greg went to grade school and he will let you put your arm in his school jacket and wear his hat when you get to this end of the trip. Looks like a super adventure. Stay safe!
Kay and Greg

Anonymous said...

Hey guys!!
LOVE the pics! I agree the hotel check-in says it all. You are a die hard adventurer. You are so inspiring! I love it!
Keep the great photos coming!