Jimmy’s Big Adventure

Random Thoughts and Pictures of a Mid-Life (I mean Late-Life) Crisis/Trip Across the Country

Country Roads

Date: May 19, 2024

Today’s Start Point: Corvallis, Oregon

Today’s End Point: Coburg, Oregon

Today’s Miles: 49.1 Miles

Cumulative Miles: 228.96 Miles

I have to admit it was nice waking up in a bed, but as always it was time to go. Complimentary breakfast and I was off.

Corvallis is very bike friendly and had a bike path that took me south and out of town. From there it was straight deserted roads through farmlands. I had a super strong tailwind (thank you) and the road was relatively flat.

I had my first chase with a dog. Fortunately, it was a dachshund, the little guy had a lot of heart but some pretty short legs. It was like watching a seesaw coming at you, one end up and the other side down. All of the other dogs I have seen so far are behind fences and make themselves known on the other side of the barrier. The only dog that I saw that had no reaction to me was a basset hound (not dissimilar to the reaction that I would get from Zoey, my daughter’s Jenna’s dog).

Nothing much to say until the town of Brownsville, Oregon which seemed very nice, the town itself and the people. They are definitely used to cyclists.

From Brownsville it was almost a straight shot into Coburg, Oregon (just north of Eugene, Oregon.). Only one tough two mile hill with gradients up to 12%.

I arrived in Coburg at about 2 pm. I wanted to push on but there are not many places to stay between Coburg and my next stop, so I stopped at 50 miles and kicked back a little bit.

Coburg is really nice and rolls out the red carpet for cyclists. There is a pizzeria near my campsite with outdoor seating and an open fire-the Coburg Pizza Company. Great choice, they must have had about 60 different pizzas. I had the Singapore Sweet Chile Pizza, which was a pizza with white-sauce topped with fajita chicken, green onion, green & roasted red peppers, sweet banana peppers, three cheeses and a spicy-sweet Singapore sauce. Sorry for the rapturous detail, but after a few days of convenience food, this was great.

Well, I think today was the end of the easy riding as I turn east into the Willamette Forest and the Cascade Mountains. I already hear my knees screaming.

Flat farmland roads
Now that’s old. The barn looks dilapidated as well
My trusty navigation tool, any mistakes are user error. Notice the white dot on the right of the screen. The radar in my rear light is connected to my Garmin and warns me of approaching cars and their location.
The fragrant white flowers again. Notice the bee hives, they must like it too.
Cookies and Diet Pepsi in Brownsville, Oregon
The Moyer House in Brownsville, Oregon. Built in 1881z
They sure like bikes in this town
The bed of daisies seemed to pretty to set up a tent on, but it me or them
All set up
End of another day

Responses

  1. Tom Gerschick Avatar

    super impressed by how light you are traveling! Great job with that. Thanks for sharing your adventure. I have always wanted to do this and am appreciative of the opportunity to live vicariously.,

    Liked by 1 person

  2. bgseavoy Avatar

    Sounds like a great roll so far. I have family in Eugene so have ridden near, but not in Coburg. Hope the weather cooperates for you thru the first range of mountains and keep the narrative/pics coming, even if you don’t know the proper Latin name of the flowers.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Tim Radcliff Avatar

    I look forward to reading these. Super curious the top speed of a wiener dog.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. mpiacenza Avatar

    Looks amazing Jim! We were in Corvallis last month- it’s gorgeous. Looking forward to following your adventures!

    Liked by 1 person

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