New bags

Here is the new set up. Maybe just a small bag for odds and ends, hatd to say yet.

Getting set for next year

I am going to try a different set up. No trailer this next year just bags on the bike. Thought i would try it for fun. Here is the picture of the basic bike.

The rest of the story

As you may have surmised I had to stop the trip due to smoke. I woke up one day to find the town I was in totally socked in with smoke and based on all the info I could find I was not making it out of the smoke for about 2 weeks based on my milage per day. I felt it was best to not struggle on, but rather come back next year. I have a variety of scenarios to think about, I may start in 2025 away from fires and nasty weather. Essentially though that is the issue, just making sure I am out of the way of smoke and tornadoes. I don't think it is too much to hope for. When I start again I will add to this blog and let you know what is going to happen. Thanks for your interest and thanks to all those who sent smoke and fire info to me. It did help.

Sad News

The smoke from all the fires has become unhealthy to breathe and i must pause the trip. There does not seem to be a break in sight.

Apocolyptic sun. Fires are making a mess

Photo of it

Thought I was having a quiet day

Folks at the place i was staying said "Matt! pack your stuff, we are getting you out of here". Front line fire folks were afraid of a change in wind and that a ton of smoke would envelope the town and my route. They moved me to a safer place. Getting phone alerts for additional evacuations however they are all west of me now. hopefully okay to travel normal for a few days.

quiet night

I took a few days off because of heat advisories and the Labor day traffic. I should be back at it soon enough. I am staying in Mitchell Oregon.

Prineville for the night.

I started out in Sisters this morning and rode to Prineville. I passed by Smith Rock. quite the place

Big riding day

My plans on where to stay did not work. i was forced to just pick up the pace. I ended up in Sisters Oregon. This is a photo towards the pass

staying in the mtns

Last night i rolled into a fishing lodge along a river. They were lucky a couple of years ago with the big fire as it burned all around.

the table

Issues with photos today

Lunch in Corvallis

Finally a non soggy ride.

my bicycle set up

Here is what it looks

like

A new day

One day i hope to get out of the wet! The cooler temps are nice, but. Today i head toward a town called Monmouth. there is a place not far from there that only accepts cyclists for overnight stays.

shorter ride

A little shorter ride today. There was still a climb. Generally everything is fine. Sure is wet here

survived day 2

i am in Pacific city. tonight i am just working up where to stay for the next couple of nights

first day

hope to be started soon. could be a soggy day

Astoria at last.

What a drive! We stayed overnight at Pendleton Oregon.

loading up

Here we go

The countdown begins

I start on August 20th from Astoria Oregon. i have a reservation in a B&B there for the night of the 19th of August. time is ticking!

Time is ticking!

Wow, already towards the end of February! Still skiing though. As some may know, in August I will be starting a bicycle ride on what is termed the Trans America Trail It runs from Astoria Oregon to Yorktown Virginia. I will write more as it gets closer.