Stage 2; 103 miles to Astoria OR
Stage #2, 103 miles to Astoria OR
The first half of today’s stage was sunny, and in 3h we covered the same distance as all of yesterday. After we reached the Hwy 101 on the Oregon Coast at Raymond, and turned south into a headwind. Moments later the headwind was joined with rain as the temperature dropped to 48 F.
Dr. Evil notes that Bakersfield CA doesn’t get weather like this, when I’m in a 36×21 gear on flat roads just to keep rolling through the headwind, I’m just thinking that they’ll probably get the first dusting of snow this week back home, and things aren’t too bad. The second half of the day involves 4h of riding.
Following his second flatted tubular of the trip, the evil Dr. was heard saying ‘If I don’t start riding my bicycle now I will die’. Perhaps over the top it was non-the-less a cold and wet situation. We didn’t stop for pictures crossing the boarder into Oregon, but the bridge into Astoria was over 5 kilometers long, and was more than a slog to say the least. ‘Camping’ was chez the best western, which was the first place we came to on 101 south. Astoria was a great place, and $9 at Frulio’s got us the best dinner of the trip.
BOB Upgrades
This is a good beast of burden, but there are a few things that I would improve on. Mostly the wheel, the rim is cheap single walled, and the tire is very cheap. For this go around we tossed a Maxxis Hookworm tire on the BOB trailer, which is both a much smoother profile, and inflatable up to 110psi (vs knobby and 35 psi).
Also you have to be careful about taking it on and off the bike that the apparatus doesn’t fall over while unsupported and bend the bob’s dropouts (it happens easier than you think – and the fisherterian even warned me).
Lastly I would put a longer fender on it so that when people are drafting in wet conditions they won’t get spray (yes I realize that this might not be a daily issue).
How Wet was it?
this trip is Supported by…
Action Sports – if you need high end bike stuff this is where you can get it. 661-833-4000
BOB
KHS bicycles helped out as well.
