2006 HR Day 47

Miles on the concrete: 39
Weather: 79 and sunny
Wind: out of the NW (headwind) at 10-20mph
Route: Hwy 26
Terrain: a long, 13 mile downhill to start the day (not bad) and then there were rolling hills.
Average Speed: 20.5 mph (w/o the B.O.B. trailer)
Road Kill: I don't remember seeing anything.
1st Thought of the day: "What's it going to be like to not be sitting on a bicycle all day long?"
2nd Thought of the day: "I wonder if anyone has been inspired to wear spandex more because of the Hunger Ride?"
3rd Thought of the day: "I wonder if anyone has been inspired to purchase and regularly wear a full-body neon green or hot pink spandex suit because of the Hunger Ride?"

THE LAST DAYS OF THE HUNGER RIDE....(ah, gasp, gulp, fighting back the tears...)
Friday: Gresham to Hillsboro (40 miles)
Saturday: HIllsboro to Seaside (65 miles)

BUSTED OFF THE BIKE....(see picture above)
Alright, so I said "What the hay"* and got a little ride here from Vern in his pick-up truck. Come on, everyone needs a break. And I only rode with Vern for 28 of the 39 miles from Timberline to Gresham.

*It's ok if you're busting out in an uncontrollable fit of laughter right now because of the incredible wit in that pun I just threw down. You know, what can I say, this stuff just comes naturally to me.

I'M IN LOVE.....
with the state of Oregon. I'm tempted to say that border-to-border it's the best state I've ridden through. I guess we'll have to wait for the "Best of the Hunger Ride" on the last day to find out. But what more could you ask for in a state? They've got mountains here...an ocean....lakes....rivers.....canyons.....gorges....tall pines....and gals that don't shave. Er, um, ah, wait a second.

SHOUT OUTS....
-to my sister, Susie Grade, who turned 31 today! Happy Birthday Sooz! You rule!
-Brooke at Subway in Sandy,OR for the subs and salad
-Terri at the Howard Johnson for the room (even though she had her doubts at first that I am really riding my bicycle across the country)
-My Bike....I was talking to my bike the other day and she expressed her disgust for getting me across the country and never getting a "Shout Out." Here's to you, bike.