Oregon Bike Ride

My favorite photo (this is the DH)...

Riding into the rising sun on our first morning.  Notice the streamers.  ;-)

The DH and I just finished the Oregon Bike Ride.  We rode ~400 miles in a week.  Camped in a tent each night and I slept surprising well.  By the end, I had also finally made peace with the porta potties.  That takes a certain skill.  ;-)  Seriously, tho - it was an amazing week and a wonderful way to celebrate 15 years with the dear hubby.  Here are just a few of my favorite scenes from the ride.

A historically-significant grist mill, sitting pretty for the photo

The organizers put on the most amazing rest stops I've ever seen, and many of them were in lovely locations like this one. 

The foods included fruits, breads, crackers and cheese and peanut butter, and other fun treats to fuel hungry riders.  Spam with mustard was a particular hit, but I passed on that.  On many days, we rode over 70 miles and so the rest stops occurred about miles 25 and 50.

That's me helping set up the tent on a breezy afternoon.  Sunnyside Park, near Sweet Home.

We climbed this ascent!  We had cumulative elevation gains of about 4,000 feet this day.

The DH and me at Silver Falls State Park

Flower fields, grown for seed

In addition to the fields of flowers, we rode through Christmas tree farms, hazelnut groves, fruit orchards, lots of berries!  (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries), fields of kale, chard, beets, green beans, onions, garlic, leeks, spinach, lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, squash, corn...and on!

Here's how it works on a ride like this:  About 5 am, you begin to hear "zip zip" from the other tents.  At about 5:30, we would add to that - and begin packing up.  Breakfast at 6:30, on the road shortly after 7.  Most days we were back in camp by 2.  Eat, shower, put up tent, eat, have some entertainment, in bed by 9.  (Many days it was 8:30 for me!)  The DH has enjoyed staying up really late since we've been home!

It was a great ride.