Astoria – Clatskanie
40 miles / 1972ft climb
With Kathy and Dave having returned home yesterday and Caroline and Paul not joining us until Friday, it was just the two of us today. Our goal was to cycle 40 hilly miles from Astoria to Clatskanie, along the Columbia River.
I had no sense that the Gods, or anyone else for that matter, were smiling on us today. In fact, I’m rather convinced they were testing us instead.
After heavy rain again overnight, we were optimistic the day would be better. It was raining as we set off and it continued to rain all morning.
With our bikes fully loaded they have morphed into different beasts. Weighing in at around 30kg each, they were more challenging to handle, a little more unpredictable, and less easy to control. Learning to control these beasts added to the day’s challenges.
The route, which had offered some lovely, virtually traffic free sections, also had many sections on the highway too. The rain, the spray from the roads, the enormous trucks thundering past and the variable quality of the shoulders made for some anxiety provoking elements of the ride.
By late morning I was convincing myself that I couldn’t do this challenge but by late afternoon we had completed the day’s 40 hilly miles in a little sunshine and everything felt brighter and possible.
Challenging Times 
I’m really looking forward to reading about your adventures each day Alison. Sending lots of positive vibes your way!
You will smash it. you will soon be used to the load.
Jx
The load was surprisingly ok going up the hills we had yesterday, which maxed out about 6%.
Great start, well done. You’ll develop a rhythm soon. Wishing you a Bon voyage, thinking of you every day and sending lots of love x
Thank you! I think the rhythm is eat, sleep, cycle, repeat!
PS Loving the Relive visuals!
How lovely to spend this special time with just the two of you – though, I must add, I nearly divorced Peter after a ‘gruelling’ climb on bikes up a mountain on Kefalonia in baking heat and after running out of water! 🙄😂 Memories… 🥰 x
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Well done. Following your epic journey all the way. Amazingly enjoyable cycling days ahead of you. Keep going.
Thank you for following our journey. Every day will be different, that’s for sure!