Bicycling to the NWTR Victoria, BC
June & July - 2009
Monday June 29, 2009
Mazama to almost Rockport WA
Distance 50.9 Miles
What a day, it was cold when we all started up the long hill, about 17 miles of up and up. It was a good climb and we soon warmed up. The traffic was light and the scenery was spectacular.
The only steep grade was just before the top, which Jim and I walked, not that the road was too steep, only our legs needed a break.
We started down only to find a strong cold head wind. After we traveled about 10 miles we stopped along the side of the road and rested and ate our -2nd breakfast or early lunch.
We then proceeded down the hill; once again Mary Kay was cold and wanted a break. As we tried to stop Jim realized that the drag brake in the back no longer worked. Jim replaced one of the break pads and we continued down the hill to a view point. There once again we took off all the luggage and tired to repair the brake, this time the bicycle was very noisy and the rim was rubbing against the bicycle all the time. Not a good way to ride and much too much work. At the bottom of the hill we stopped at a campground to look for a pickup that could haul us in. A National Park Ranger (Police) volunteered to take us to the motel and have another National Park employee followed with our bicycle. So we loaded up the bicycle and had a nice 20 mile ride to the motel. Jim was then able to dismantle the brakes so it no longer rubbed, but we are still short a brake.
The 8 of us walked next door and had a good supper before an early turn in. I think we were all extra tired.
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