Bicycling the Lewis & Clark Trail
Carson, WA to The Dalles, OR

Monday, May 24, 2004
Distance Cycled: 38 miles
Vertically Climbed: 1,150 feet
Average Speed: 11.4 mph

Sunshine, greeted us today for only the second day of this trip. We left the motel and rode to a restaurant for breakfast, where most of us had a large bowl of oatmeal. Jim was quite full after eating this breakfast but he was served a very large brownie covered with whipping cream with one candle in it. It was Jim's Birthday and this was his birthday cake from George, Gary, Ann, and Jane. We rode back to the motel and finished loading the bicycles. We then headed down a steep hill to the main highway alongside the Columbia River. For the rest of the day the route was reasonably level but once again we encountered a headwind. Jim's repair job on the rear tire did not work as well as he hoped in that the bulge was again in the tire when we started out in the morning. We decided that there was nothing else we could do and we continued on our way.

It was a beautiful sunny day perfect for riding. Jane and George caught up with us just as we stopped for a much needed rest and a time to just sit and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Just before we reached the road that led to the Columbia River Bridge near The Dalles we had to climb a long but not real steep hill. We were at the top of the hill making the turn to head to the bridge when we both noticed a major thumping coming from the rear tire. The bulge had gotten so large that it was hitting the brakes as the wheel made each revolution. We were 4 miles from the end of the ride so we got off the bicycle and began to walk the remainder of the ride. George and Jane soon arrived and took our car keys and went ahead, got our car and returned to pick us up after a mile walk. We thus ended our bike adventure. We then gave George and Jane a lift to Troutdale and then proceeded to Portland and Salem to visit relatives. We returned home on May 25. We really enjoyed the Oregon-Washington loop and would recommend the trip to anyone. But we are anxious to complete our obligations and head towards St. Lewis.