After two fairly grueling days of driving about 14 hrs each day, we arrived in Astoria, Oregon on Saturday. Terry checked in to America-by -Bike (hereafter, ABB), and we enjoyed the view from our hotel on the Columbia River. Sorry that there aren't any photos yet, since I'm still in Oregon and can't get the photos from my camera (I'm IPAD-less). But, attached are three maps to help you visualize the whole trip, and then the first few days. Some of you already saw the whole map at the send-off party last Sunday. Terry really loved that you came to wish him well. He's proudly wearing and using his presents, too!
Sunday, everyone had arrived and checked in, and we all met for a group dinner and orientation. The orientation meeting was 3 hrs long, and while very well-done and even entertaining, it contained so much information and cautions that anyone who wasn't nervous before the meeting, now was! There are 35 people on the trip, 25 men and 10 women. A few married or romantic couples, a one mother-daughter pair, one father-son pair, some friends, and the rest assorted others. There was a go-round of introductions and "why are you doing this". Very inspirational. Lots of bucket lists from survivals, major life changes, and personal goals and challenges. Some riders are very experienced (including Terry) with long mileage under their belts, but a good number are not. They are very nervous, but all seemed totally determined to finish and enjoy themselves. The riders are predominantly "middle-aged"--probably in their 50's and 60's, and a few 70's, and some in their 20's & 30's. We think Terry is the oldest. The youngest is a wonderful young woman from London, who has everyone smiling within seconds of talking with her.
The maps below show the first two weeks through Oregon & Idaho (top), the entire route (middle) and the first 4 days (bottom). It gives you some idea of the enormity of this thing!
Sunday, everyone had arrived and checked in, and we all met for a group dinner and orientation. The orientation meeting was 3 hrs long, and while very well-done and even entertaining, it contained so much information and cautions that anyone who wasn't nervous before the meeting, now was! There are 35 people on the trip, 25 men and 10 women. A few married or romantic couples, a one mother-daughter pair, one father-son pair, some friends, and the rest assorted others. There was a go-round of introductions and "why are you doing this". Very inspirational. Lots of bucket lists from survivals, major life changes, and personal goals and challenges. Some riders are very experienced (including Terry) with long mileage under their belts, but a good number are not. They are very nervous, but all seemed totally determined to finish and enjoy themselves. The riders are predominantly "middle-aged"--probably in their 50's and 60's, and a few 70's, and some in their 20's & 30's. We think Terry is the oldest. The youngest is a wonderful young woman from London, who has everyone smiling within seconds of talking with her.
The maps below show the first two weeks through Oregon & Idaho (top), the entire route (middle) and the first 4 days (bottom). It gives you some idea of the enormity of this thing!
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