Fredwina does orygun?

[Fredwina]

I've signed up for the Recumbent Retreat in August.
I'm probably going to arrive a day early and leave a day late(Have yet to get plane tickets, rental car).
anything I should do or see in Astoria and/or Portland? One of my "bucket" list goals is to ride in all 50 states, so I'd like to get my bike and I across the Columbia.

[Susan Otcenas]

You should PM evangundy. Edna works here at TE and she's going to the retreat as well!

Susan

[Fredwina]

we've exchanged PM. Will try and do it again

[Fredwina]

I was looking for things to do/see outside of the recumbent retreat

[evangundy]

Hi Fredwina,
Glad to hear you'll be at the R.R. I'm looking forward to meeting you in person.
If you want to ride in both Oregon and Washington, a good ride but about 85 miles long, is the Bridge of the Gods Loop, out of SE Portland. http://www.ohpv.org/events/bog/BoG.htm There are various places you could start/finish, not just the one listed on the link. The ride would not be very fun/nice if it's bad weather though. Or, since you are planning to rent a car, you could drive part of it, park, ride out and back to car, drive to another parking area, ride out and back. There are probably 3 or 4 good places to do this. If it sounds good to you, let me know, and I'll see if I can figure out the mileage and good parking and turn-around spots.

There are a couple groups of folks who are planning to ride out to Astoria from Portland, one leaving Wed, arriving Thursday, and another leaving Thurs to arrive Friday. If you might like to ride the last day in with one of them, maybe we could find someone to drive out with you, then take your car on into Astoria? The route they ride is really beautiful, quiet, rural, through the Coast Range. Not flat, but not as much "up" as you would think.

While in Astoria, you definitely need to go to the Astoria Column. You can get there by car or bike, and the view from the top of the column can be amazing on a clear day. I would recomend you drive across the bridge to Washington, park near Ilwaco, and ride while over there. The bridge is horrible by bike. I'll see if I can find a pic or two.

Staying an extra day too? Meaning overnight Sunday, then leave Monday?You would probably have time to drive further south, to maybe Tillamook (visit the Tillamook Cheese Factory or the Air Museum) or Three Capes Scenic drive, or Lincoln City, then head back to Portland. There is some nice bike riding areas along the coast.

That's all I can think of right now (it's late and past bedtime). More later.
Edna

[evangundy]

Here are some pics we took in 2005 - when Cycle Oregon finished in Astoria. We didn't ride that year, but were in Astoria for the finish.
Edna

[Fredwina]

Edna,Thanks a million
Yes, the plan is arrive Wednesday or Thursday, pick up my bike from Marilyn, and see the sights of Portland before moving on to Astoria.
Several other Folks have recommended doing The Columbia Gorge, so it sounds like that will be my Washington adventure (probably not 85 mile, but you never know)
And I may make it by TE HQ as well(is that a threat?)
Also, one of my RL buudies may be doing this and be hauling my bacchetta up with him(assuming I don't wind with a second bent - I'm supposed to borrow a Friends Cruzbike conversion to see if I like/ can ride it)
More Tocome when I know more

[jobob]

Marilyn? You mean Tweety? Tell her Jo & Lee said hi!

[Fredwina]

yes, she's now a LBS owner

[evangundy]

Yes, Tweety/Marilyn is now the proud owner of Coventry Cycle Works here in Portland, as of mid-February. Sherman was ready to retire and turn over the reins to someone new, and now we have Tweety. We are all behind her, ready to help and support her. She has good staff working with/for her and we all hope to do our part to keep her company up and running, and succeeding :-)

Edna

[jobob]

Get out!! I had no idea. Well, please extend her my & Lee's best wishes (or maybe I'll do it myself ).

We first met Marilyn on an Oregon Rando's brevet (or maybe it was a populaire), the one the weekend after Thanksgiving that started from McMenamins in Forest Grove, a couple of years ago. Good times.

[evangundy]

Here are some pics I found, from a variety of our Gorge rides - first one from the Washington side - view from Cape Horn Summit, and then views from Crown Point on the Oregon side.

Enjoy!
Edna

[Fredwina]

Thanks for the pics!
I'm also interested in history and would like to spend some time at Ft Clatsop. The sign interpreter (George Drouillard ) for Lewis and Clark called my Hometown (Cape Girardeau, MO) home , too.

[Fredwina]

Right my agenda is
Flyi in on Tuesday,
Do Columbia river gorge on Weds or thursday, sightsee the other other day in Portland,
sighsee in Astoria on Friday.
RR Saturday and sunday
Flay back monday.